No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 643 



or who is not willing to guard it against abuse and insidious per- 

 version, as well as against open attack. 



If you would be a famous actor in the drama of life, you must act 

 your part well. But, however, we must say, that unless a person 

 participates in public affairs in the proper spirit, he is not brought 

 into any closer union with the government; for no one increases his 

 claim to citizenship, who interests himself in public matters for 

 purely selfish motives, or to gain personal ends. The person who 

 would rise to the highest degree of citizenship, must be interested 

 in humanity. He must not only look after his own interests, but he 

 must respect the interests of the masses of people. 



The existence of the highest type of citizenship depends largely 

 upon the cultivation of the best and most patriotic sentiments of 

 our people. It is, however, true that it depends to an equal, if not 

 greater degree, upon the constant steadiness of sound American 

 judgment and the ability among our citizens to resist temptation. 

 Perhaps no nation as young as the American nation has been con- 

 fronted by so many temptations. It has also been presented with 

 many opportunities, to enter upon a course of new and strange 

 adventure. But a few years hence temptation whispered alluring 

 words of conquest and expansion in our ears and pointed out to us 

 the fields bright with the glories of war. Our engagement with 

 Spain presented a favorable opportunity for our own people to 

 exhibit their true worth as citizens. So intense was the love for 

 the rights of others, that even without the call of the President, 

 thousands of men offered themselves in defense of these rights. 



As every particle of matter in the universe has an attraction for 

 every other particle, so has every individual rights which every other 

 individual is bound to respect. It was on this principle that the 

 Americans acted, and for this reason was the "White Squadron" 

 sent to the Spanish ports, to protect the rights of the Cubans. 

 Such actions as these belong only to true patriotic citizens. 



We have as yet treated citizenship as belonging only to those, who 

 take part in government affairs; but in every state there are two 

 classes of citizens; those which are permitted to participate in the 

 government and those which are denied of this privilege. It is, 

 therefore, implied that citizenship cannot mean the same to every 

 person; yet- patriotism, which is the underlying principle of citi- 

 zenship, makes it possible for every one to attain it to some degree 

 of identity. 



If patriotism is exhibited by the man, who leaves home and 

 friends, to follow our flag in war, it is none the less exhibited b\ 

 the wife or mother who remains at home to weep and mourn. If 

 it animates the leader of soldiers on the field, it no less animates 

 those who prepare men for the faithful discharage of their duties 

 in times of peace. 



Grand and noble as if is to be a Washington or a Lincoln, to 

 no less degree is it grand to be a Willard or a Barton. 



From these reasons we infer that citizenship does not only belong 

 to those whose names have becomes famous in history and govern- 

 mental affairs; but also to those whose privileges arc 1 restricted by 

 the government, and to those whose lives are devoted to the welfare 

 of mankind. It should be the earnest desire of every one to become 

 a true loyal citizen. Not because every citizen is held in the highest 



