The Catholic citizen

Front matter

THE

CATHOLIC CITIZEN

Class Jjl4^^ Book *_Lt3__

Introduction

The purpose of this book is to set forth the essential facts of American citizenship and of the civic and social problems with which the citizen must deal. It is dedicated by its title to the millions of Catholic citizens who take their full part in performing the duties of American citizenship and thereby help to solve the problems which confront the people of this land.

Wherever possible, representative Catholic opinions and declarations are cited to show the value of moral and religious backgrounds for citizenship and to emphasize the unity of our common efforts for civic and social betterment and the good of the country.

The ideal of citizenship herein expressed is the promotion of fair play, justice, and square dealing for all people. Governments are instituted for these purposes and religion is a powerful ally in the cause. When men apply to pubHc affairs the same rules of moral conduct which govern their personal relations, and when they think of the moral duties and responsibilities as well as the rights of the citizen, we shall approach the realization of our ideal.

The study of the rights and duties of citizens is a matter of universal interest and concern in a democracy where decisions are made by the votes of the people upon which may turn the national fate. No one rightly can be indifferent to the knowledge of government when his vote may decide issues important to the welfare or even the safety of the country.

While the study of government is essential for all, it is especially valuable for youth who are looking forward to viii INTRODUCTION

the duties of citizenship. If the schools are to aid youth in preparing for citizenship they must place the subject in the grades before the high school. Students of the grammar grades can readily grasp the simple principles and practices of government and will respond readily to the ideals of fair play, justice, and square dealing — virtues which appeal to all youth in games and sports and why not in the larger relations of civic life?

The author has drawn freely upon "The Fundamentals of Citizenship" and "The Civics Catechism" prepared by him for the National Catholic Welfare Council. Several chapters are revised and enlarged from the former publication.

J. A. L.

Contents

PAGE CHAPTER

I. Working Together for the Good of All .... i

II. Justice and Fair Play 7

Chapter I Working Together For The Good Of All

The world is made up of individuals, and each individual is gifted by the Creator with the position and dignity of a human being. He receives a body to preserve and protect; a mind to guide his actions; and an immortal soul. The individual is charged with solemn duties by these gifts. He is expected to labor; to educate his faculties; and to prepare himself for his immortal destiny.

Individuals are destined to live with others in the family and in the community. Men associate by choice with their fellows. Few people would prefer to live as hermits away from others of their kind, even if they could. They live and work together and enjoy mutual pleasures and benefits.

The Home. — Each individual is born a member of a family, and each member owes a duty to the family. The parents owe support and care to the children, and the children owe obedience to the parents. All work together for the good of the whole family and enjoy the benefits of love and affection, and of food, clothing, shelter, and enjoyment. The home is made possible by the full cooperation of parents and children and is happiest when each member does his part. The home has rules and customs which the members of the family obey.

The Community. — Individuals and famihes together form the community. The community brings all together for the common benefit. The community does for all what individuals and families cannot do by themselves.

A Large City

This busy corner in Newark, New Jersey, shows the activities of a large city. By properly enforced rules confusion is lessened.

It is because people live and work together in communities that arrangements are necessary to provide for the common good and protection of all. Those arrangements we call government. The purposes of government are to

WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD OF ALL 3

provide for protection against enemies and evils; prevent interference with the rights of each; promote fair play and justice; and carry on activities for the common benefit. The people band together to resist an enemy, to protect themselves against thieves, and to safeguard their property against fire. The people also protect the rights of each individual against interference by other individuals in safeguarding hfe, property, and freedom for each; and in securing fair play and justice to all. The people combine also to provide for those things needed by each, such as roads and schools, which can be provided only by a number of people acting together. It should be made clear at the outset that the acts which the community performs for the individual should be those only which the individual cannot readily do for himself.

The Idea of Government. — Government can be better understood if we imagine a hundred famihes living in a community far away from all other people. Suppose that these hundred families lived on farms and had entire control of their own affairs. What measures would they be likely to take for their common benefit? Each person could not provide his own private road, or his own private school. All would be likely to cooperate in building a road for the general use and a school for the education of the children. Each family could not provide for its own protection against wild beasts or bands of robbers or savages, so all would unite to provide for the necessary protection. Each person could not readily protect himself from the interference of other members of the group. His property might be stolen, his land seized, or his life might be endangered. Since each would be subject to the same danger, the members of the community would make rules to prevent such evils. They would arrange to settle disputes, and provide for the punishment of offenders against the rules which they had made.

If these hundred families lived in a village instead of on farms, there would be many additional things which they would need for mutual protection and benefit. They would need protection against the dangers of disease and fires; they would need water supplies, sidewalks, and paved streets. They would need to be sure of their food supply and that the food was pure; they would need places for play; they would also need rules to prevent accidents. Every community, whether city or country, would find it necessary to have some form of government to manage the common affairs of the people.

We see from these examples that government performs duties for the common good. It protects the rights of individuals and families and does many things for the benefit of all. Individuals benefit by common action which provides facihties for their safety and for the protection of their life, property, and freedom.

Duties of Individuals. — The benefits which men receive from associating with their fellows naturally require a return on the part of each individual. It is not fair to receive benefits and give nothing. If roads are built for the advantage of all people, it follows that each person should help build and maintain them, or help pay the cost. If police and fire departments are maintained for mutual protection, then each person owes to the whole people a share of the cost. If each person derives protection for himself from laws which prevent interference with his property or liberty, he owes something for the benefits thus received. It is clear that men should not seek benefits supplied by the common purse without doing their share in return. When the duty of the individual to do his part is so clear, a person must be

WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOOD OF ALL 5

considered a drone who would fail to do his share. If we think of the whole work of government in our country as a mutual enterprise for the benefit of all people, we can readily see that each person should bear a fair proportion of the labor and the expense.

What are some of the duties which the individual owes for the benefits which he receives from the community of which he is part? He should, first of all, realize his debt / and give devoted service to the community in payment. He should take part in community work by helping to choose with great care those who are to carry on the work of the community. He should be prepared himself to assume any duties to which the people may call him. He should pay his fair share of the cost of government and do his proportion of the common work. He should always strive for honest management of the people's affairs.

People provide for many of their needs by voluntary arrangements which are not a part of the government. The people of a religious faith provide for churches in which they may worship, or schools in which their children may be educated. Groups of people may provide by agreement for conveniences, such as a clubhouse, for the benefit of members. In such arrangements, each person is expected to bear his share of the cost. The agreement in such cases is voluntary and a person may join or not, as he pleases. If he accepts the benefits, he is in honor bound to bear his share of the expense.

As a member of society, every person must obey the rules laid down. He is compelled to pay a share of the cost, whether he wants to or not. Society recognizes that it is only fair that every person should help pay for the benefits which he receives. A man may move out of any given community, state, or nation, but he merely moves into another, where he is still bound by the duty of doing his part for the protection of his life and property, and for the promotion of the common welfare. As long as he remains a citizen of a community, state, or country, it is his duty to obey the rules and comply with the requirements which are formulated for the welfare of all.

What are the duties of the individual?

Why do individuals live with their fellow men?

What are the duties of the members of the family?

Why do individuals join with their fellows in doing certain things?

What are some of the things which individuals unite to do?

Why should each person do what he is able to do for himself?

Should the community do for an individual what he might readily do for himself?

Should a person receive the benefits of the community without making a return?

How can a person make return for the good he receives from the community?

Chapter II Justice And Fair Play

The highest purpose of government is the promotion of justice and fair play for all people. These are the corner / stones of the American democracy.

The Declaration of Independence says: "All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unahenable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men." The Constitution of the United States declares one of its purposes to be "to establish justice."

The spirit of justice and fair play is the spirit of religion. In government it is the golden rule put into practice in the relations of people to each other. It is the recognition of divine guidance in the precept: "Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them."

The Promotion of Fair Play.— The American people are devoted to the promotion of equality of rights and opportunities for everybody with special privileges to no one. In the game of hfe, as the people in America like to play it, ''the rules shall be the same for all; the penalty shall be the same for all; the prizes shall be open to all, and let the best man win."

The striving for justice and fair play is expressed in many ways. We see it in the efforts to give every man an equal chance; to provide common advantages for all; in the protection of personal property and liberty of each, regardless of his station in life; we see it in the attempts to settle justly the disputes between man and man; and in the humane care of the unfortunate who have suffered from disasters such as sickness and accident. Again we see it in the safeguards to protect from injustice those accused of crime; in the promotion of honest methods of business, for the prevention of frauds, monopolies, and

© Keystone View Co., Inc.

A Close Decision

The umpire decides whether the base runner is safe. The players must obey the rules and abide by his decision.

special privileges. And finally we see it in the attempts to make the whole system by which our wants are supplied work to the advantage of all.

Fair Play and Sports. — Fair play is well illustrated by examples from the field of sports. It would be impossible

JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY 9

to have any game without fair play as its basis. A baseball game would have no interest to players or spectators if unfair decisions were made or if players were allowed to play unfairly. The students of a school soon learn to despise the one who cheats in play or who does not play the game squarely. They dislike the person who does not do his full share to win the game or who seeks to get undue advantage or praise for himself. So powerful is the sentiment for fair play that policemen are scarcely needed to keep the line at the ticket ofhce or entrance to the field. It would be extremely dangerous for any one who would seek to break into the line ahead of his turn. These ideas of fair play, if carried into the affairs of the community, state, or nation, would soon bring fair play and the square deal into all public affairs.

Equal Opportunity. — Perhaps the best evidence of our desire for equal rights is seen in the chance which is given to every one to realize the best there is in him, and to succeed in the world to the best of his abihty. Children may be born in poverty, and yet rise to the highest station in society, and in public or business affairs. Abraham Lincoln was born in poor circumstances and rose to the highest position in the government and in the esteem of the people. Cardinal Gibbons likewise rose to the princely position which he held in the Church and in the regard of his fellow countrymen. Andrew Carnegie became the master business man of the age although he was born poor. Moreover, these men were not given the advantages of schools which are now enjoyed by all. The school system — public, parochial, and private — now places the means of training within reach of every one, and provides not only for general education, but for preparation for trades, professions, or business pursuits. The chance for an education is given not only to the youth lo THE CATHOLIC CITIZEN

in schools, but also to those ^vho ha\e started to work. Niglit schools, part-time silu>ols, aiul correspondence classes bring education within the reach of those who may be compelled to work. Special scholarships are given to help \vorth>' students, livery person, young and old, hnds somewhere the chance to train himsch for a useful occupation or profession. Even those who are crippled are given a chance to be trained for some particular kind of work in order that they may make use of the faculties they have left.

Common Welfare and Protection.- So that all may share in the bcnctits of government, the connnunity provides numerous things for the common good. These are advantages for the great body of pec^ple, because they could not provide such things each for himself. The rich might provide schools for their children, water supplies, parks and playgrounds, and e\en roads for their own benefit, but the great mass oi people nmst depend upon the action of the Comnumit\' to secure these hcutMits. The rich might also provide guards and police for their property and health protection for themselves and their families, but the mass of people nuist depend upon the community to provide these important things.

Settling Disputes. — Another wa>' in which the communitv promotes fair play is by pro\iding means to settle disinitcs cn-cr propert>- or personal rights. We do not permit the strong to cheat and oppress the weak, nor do we permit the property of the weak to be taken by the strong or crafty. The con\nmnit\- pro\idcs courts ot justice by which disputes may be settled with fairness to all.

Honest Trade. Eair play is secured also by the numerous methods used to prevent dishonest men from robbing people bv crafty methods. Laws are passed which prevent

JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY ii

the use of short weights and measures, and which prevent the sale of impure articles; laws which prevent one man or a few men from controlling things which the jxHiplc must have for their livmg; and laws which make it easier to get the goods which people need through the process of distribution, are all means by which fair play is promoted by and for the great body of our people.

Fair Play to Persons Accused of Crime. — We extend the idea of fair play to those who are charged with crime. Every one in this country is considered innocent of a crime with which he may be charged until he is proven guilty. This is one of the highest expressions of fair play. A person accused of crime has the right to a speedy and honest trial before a jury of his fellow men. He may compel the attendance of witnesses in his favor and have legal assistance furnished for him if he is unable to pay. He is released from jail on bail until his trial comes up, except in the more serious crimes where the evidence is strongly against him. He may not be tried a second time for the same ofTense if the jury has set him free. Laws cannot be passed to fix or increase a punishment for an act after it has been committed. He may also appeal his case to the higher courts. Altogether these and other protections tend to prevent the great injustice of convicting and punishing a man who is innocent. Even after conviction for a crime the man is given a chance in many instances, through probation and parole, to make amends for his conduct and to become again a useful member of society.

Fair Play and Dependents. — The principle of fair play is seen at its best in the care which is given to those who have sulTered from some misfortune or disaster and are unable to take care of themselves. The spirit of fair play causes us to try to find an opportunity for every person who is in difficulty and to care for those who are permanently disabled. Everywhere in this country the sick are provided for by the people of the community, the church, or the state. The helpless aged are also provided for. The insane, feeble-minded, and other dependents are given the best of scientific care. Dependent children are not

H. F. Guenin

Modern children's homes provide playrooms and playthings for the children. The well equipped playroom in this New York orphanage is especially attractive.

deprived of the chance which belongs to all, for the community and the church make provision for their care and welfare.

Why do our people seek to promote justice and fair play?

Do we mean by the statement, "all men are created equal," that

JUSTICE AND FAIR PLAY 13

all men are alike physically and mentally or that all have equal rights and opportunities?

Mention ways in which the people secure and promote fair play.

How is fair play shown in the field of sports?

What does fair play in sports illustrate for the conduct of public oflScers?

What is done to provide equal opportunity for all?

Can we do more to help a person than to give him an equal chance with others?

What should we do for those who are handicapped?

Why is it fair play and justice to provide for such enterprises as roads, at public expense?

If there were no means of settling disputes, would people act fairly toward others?

Why does the promotion of honest trade help fair play and justice?

How is fair play assured to people charged with crime?

How is fair play assured to the unfortunate?

Give examples from the field of sports to show how rules and umpires promote fair play.

Give examples of the equal opportunities afforded to all people for education; for protection; for recreation.

Chapter III Common Welfare And Protection

What does the government do for the people to promote their welfare? We need to know in order that we may value our government more nearly at what it is worth to us. There is no doubt that, if each person could measure the value of the things which are done for him, he would give more ardent support to the government.

General Welfare.- — The people acting through their government provide many things for common use which the individual could not provide for himself. The individual could not build highways, streets, or bridges for himself, but working together the people provide free roads, streets, and bridges for all at a very small expense to each. The money needed for these things is raised by taxation placed upon all.

Not many famihes could provide for the education of their children by private tutors. A large number of people provide for schools through their churches, but to supply the needs of all, the government builds schools, colleges, and libraries for rich and poor alike. Equal advantages are thus given to all.

The individual in the city could not provide parks and playgrounds for the health and recreation of himself and family. The city acting for the people preserves and beautifies great tracts of land for their comfort, health, and recreation.

Each city dweller could not provide for the removal of ashes, garbage, and waste which he creates. All of the city dwellers acting through the government readily provide sewer systems and garbage-disposal plants for the removal of waste. The individual farmer in a flat country could not provide by himself for the drainage of his land. If he should dig the necessary ditches he might harm his neighbors' land. All the farmers acting through the government provide for the building of great drainage systems which successfully drain the lands of all. The same is true of irrigation. One farmer or a few farmers could hardly build the necessary reservoirs and irrigation canals; the government, however, can build and maintain them for the benefit of all. The individual shipowner could not build docks and wharves, dredge rivers and harbors, or build hghthouses; but the government does all these things for the common benefit.

Many people receive the benefits of hospitals and benevolent institutions which are provided by religious or other organizations. All who need such help would not receive it except by the action of the government in providing liberally for the care of the sick, dependent, and disabled.

Farmers could not, single-handed, make the necessary experiments with crops and soil to improve agriculture. If they did the benefits could not readily be made of use to the people generally. The government acting for all provides support for agricultural experiment stations and publishes the results obtained so that all may profit by the use of the improved methods. Experiments of many kinds are carried on by various departments of the government which individuals could not possibly do for themselves.

The individual could not by himself have the advantages of the postal system, including the city and the rural deliveries. The government provides for postal service to the most remote regions as a service to all and at the bare cost of performing such service.

COMMON WELFARE AND PROTECTION 17

Common Protection. — The individual would be helpless also in protecting himself and his property if he did not have the cooperation of others through the government. The people as a whole provide for an army and navy because no individual could possibly protect himself from the invasion of his land by enemies. The individual must protect himself by union with his fellow countrymen.

© Press Illustrating Service

Mail by Airplane

Regular air mail routes have been established by the Post Office Department between some of the larger cities throughout the country.

Provision for fire and police protection would be of little effect if each person had to look out for himself. The people acting together prevent fires by requiring safe building, compelling the removal of rubbish, and by providing for fire departments at public expense. The government provides also for the prevention of forest fires and for their control. Likewise, in protecting themselves from thieves and robbers, the people cooperate to employ police, constables, and other guards.

The individual is helpless to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases, but through cooperation the people may provide for the prevention of disease and the control of epidemics. The water supply or milk supply would spread typhoid and other dangerous diseases if the government did not provide for tests, inspections, and close supervision. The spread of plant and animal diseases, and insect pests would also go unchecked, with great harm to the people, if it were not for the government agencies which study and control such diseases and pests.

Clever frauds would also go unchecked if it were not for the action of the government. Food might be adulterated, drugs might be worthless, fertilizers might be cheap dirt, and cattle feeds might have no food value, through clever frauds, if the government did not provide laboratories for testing such products to determine their purity and worth.

The examples given will be sufficient to show how helpless the individual is when acting by himself, but how powerful he becomes when cooperating with his fellow men through government.

Why should we know what the government does for the people?

Name some of the things which the individual could not provide for himself.

How could roads and streets be provided without government?

Show what the city does for the individual which he could not do for himself.

Show what is provided for the farmer which he could not readily provide for himself.

What are the evils against which governments provide protection?

Show why government is necessary to provide armies, navies, police

COMMON WELFARE AND PROTECTION 19

forces, fire departments, forest protection, insect pests, animal diseases, epidemics.

Explain why the people protect water and food supplies.

Why are public laboratories necessary to test the purity of goods?

Show why people must combine to prevent frauds.

Name the things through which the government helps the individual in your community.

Give all the ways in which the individual is protected by the government in your community.

Chapter IV Representative Government

The individual cannot do the actual work of running the common affairs, because if he did he would be employed a large part of the time, and therefore would have little opportunity for his own private pursuits. Since all men must make a living and strive for the betterment of themselves and their families, they cannot give a very large part of their time to public work unless, of course, they are specially employed by the pubKc.

Since they cannot do the work themselves the people select individuals to do it and pay them as hired workers. The persons thus chosen are the representatives of the people who select them. They owe special duties of faithfulness to the wishes of those who trust them by choosing them as their representatives.

What is a Representative? — The idea of representation is simple. It can be easily illustrated by examples. An individual who has business in a distant place may send some one to look after it with authority to act for him. The man who is sent is a representative. Ten men, who have business in a distant place, or to which they cannot conveniently give attention themselves, employ some one as their agent or representative to act for them. People in a community who have work to do for the common benefit select representatives to do it. Any person who is selected to act for others is a representative

Kinds of Representatives. — Representatives are elected by the people to look after the work which is done for the

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT 21

benefit of the people. The people select different representatives for various kinds of work. Each representative is given certain duties to perform. To make the rules or laws which regulate the affairs of the community, representatives are elected to city councils,, state legislatures, and the Congress of the United States. These representatives assemble and have the power to speak for the people in deciding what laws shall be made for the city, in the city council; for the state, in state legislature; and for the nation, in Congress.

Another kind of representative does the actual work of carrying on the public affairs. Representatives of the people manage the public works, the police and fire departments, the army and navy, the post office, public schools, libraries, roads, streets, and the many other agencies for the common benefit.