We therefore repeat that the homes of the people are the secret of our country's greatness. Acres do not make a nation great. Wealth cannot purchase grandeur and renown. Resources, however great and wonderful, cannot crown us with national honor and celebrity. The strength and prowess of any land lies in the character of its citizens; and their character depends largely upon the character of their homes.
XXXVII.
THE CITIZEN AND THE COMMUNITY.
MEMORY GEMS.
Municipal government should be entirely divorced from party politics.
—C. H. Parkhurst
Too many of our citizens fail to realize that local government is a
worthy study.—John Fiske
Every citizen should be ready to do his full part in the service of the
community in which he lives.—E. O. Mann
Each separate township needs men who will inspire respect and command
confidence.—W. A. Mowry
Let the man who, without good excuse, fails to vote, be deprived of the
right to vote.—W. H. H. Miller
Whenever men live in a community, they are placed under certain mutual obligations. Unless these obligations are carefully regarded the community life will be sure to prove a failure. Man is selfish as well as social. The weak must, therefore, be protected from the strong; and in this important work there are common interests which require united action. This united action may be for the common defense of the community, or for the general welfare of all.