CITIZENSHIP.

White Ribbon, Volume 29, Issue 344, 18 February 1924, Page 1

CITIZENSHIP.

When Koine, proud Koine, wait mistress of the world a man counted it hi.s greatest pi ide to t>e a citizen of that vast empire, and gloried in his ability to say “Givis Rom*nus sum.” Even St. l*aul, that fearless missionary, that tireless preacher, that devoted servant of <}od, and loyal citizen of the Heavenly Jerusalem, claimed with pride his rights as a Roman citizen. To-day we rejoice as citizens of the greatest Empire in the world, an Empire on which the sun never sets. It is rather disturbing to note that while many claim the privileges ot citizenship, comparatively few are willing to shoiildei its responsibilities. Good citizenship means service, ami spells sacrifice. Wonderful to nay, good people aic often not good citizens; they refuse to be mixed up in politics, and leave them to be run too often by self seeking and inferior citizens. To woman, but newly entered into her rights of citizenship, we look to alter this state of affairs. Miss Willard said that women would sweeten every place they entered, and that they would enter every place in the wide world. Good citizenship requires effort, and too many, alas! are only too willing to follow the path of least resistance. Many women, busy with household and family cares, refuse to make this effort. Hut how ean any one act and vote without making a -study of municipal, national, and even international problems? No woman is justified in allowing her husband, father, or brother, or even her news-

paper, to do her thinking for her. A famous historian points to the able and noble band of statesmen who gathered around the Council board of Queen Elizabeth. Never sovereign had an abler band of advisers, yet the Queen was the puppet of none. She listened, she weighed, she questioned, but in the main her policy was her own, and it was a policy which lifted her country into front rank as a European nation. So should it be with the women citi /oils of to-day. Information should be gathered from every available source, hut ihat information should be weighed in her own mind, and the decision should be her own. France* Willard wrote: "As Christ once stood over against the treasury box of the Temple and watched the poor widow cast in her two mites, so now He stands beside the ballot box and marks what we place t herein. How many citizens cast their vote with the single aim that it should meet with Divine approval? Fewer still arc those who prepare themselves to intelligently cast their vote, A little girl was kneeMng at her mother’s side for her evening prayer. Her little brother slyly pinched her. Being a polite little maiden, she asked. "Please, God, excuse me while I slap Teddy.” Are then* not some even among those who call thomselv*s Christians who would like to dismiss Christ at the door of the polling booth with a polite l*>w and an “Excuse me, while 1 east my vote for self, and not for Thee.” Again, our Police Courts, Children's Courts, etc., are urgently needing wo

man's work ami influence th‘*re. Women's societies are demanding for women scats in the jury box and on tin Bench. And rightly so, but how many women arc conscientiously titting themselves to fill these positions? Women are as capable as men of filling any and every office in the State, from the throne to the jury box. Men themselves tacitly adm.t this, even while verbally denying. If men think women are less capable than themselves in business, professional and political spheres, why all the outcry they raise about allowing women to enter these fields. The bitterness with which many men oppose the entry of women into these spheres is simply the measure of the dread they have of meeting women in a fair field and with no favour. Women ask for no discrimination in their favour. All they ask is to meet fairly, and Is* judged by their work. ft almost seems as if men fear defeat and having to take second place if they meet women in open competition in fields which they have so long regard«*d as exclusively their own. Citizenship means sacrifice, giving up the things pleasing to ourselves, and devoting our time to studies that shall fit us for larger and wider service. But women in all ages have been pastmasters in the art of self-sacrifice;, and to-day, when it Is so needed, they will not be found wanting. We belittle our womanhood, and particularly our young women, win n we try to coax them by easy ways and pleasant paths. Should w«* not rather appeal to the highest and best in them as leaders of all ag*-.-have done? Pass on to them th« stir--4

ring appeal of Garibaldi to his soldier*: “Soldiers, what I offer you is fatigue, danger, struggle, and death; the chill of the cold night in the free air, the intolerable heat beneath the blazing sun; no lodgings, no munitions, no provisions; but forced marches, perilous watch posts, and the continual struggle with the bayonet against strong batteries. Those who love freedom and their country may follow me.” And a greater leader than the Italian l>utriot said to His followers: “If any man will come alter Me, let him deny himself, aiui take up his cross dail> and follow Me.” Carry on. Carry on! Fight the good tight and true; Believe in your mission, greet life with a cheer; There's big work to do, and that’s why you're here. Carry on! Carry on! Let the world be the better for you; And at last when you die, let this be your cry: Carry on, my soul! Carry on!