Unit 3 Reflection

Unit 3 Reflection
By: Ali Mason


  In order for a society to properly work together and create a standing relationship that creates safety and ordinance for all involved a few things are needed from the citizens of a community as well as the government from that community.  Through three different readings from history the obligation of both the citizen and the government are evident. Beginning with the earliest work, Patrick Henry speech at the Virginia convention in 1775 is a basis for many citizen morales that should be followed and most importantly, the duty of the government is clearly stated and pressed in his speech.
  Examples of these claims is evident in in the entire second paragraph that is addressed to the president (Henry's opening to his speech and response to president's first words).  In a nutshell he explains that no matter what the issue is at hand, a government should be completely honest with its citizens. Meaning false hope should NOT be advocated and the urgency of current issues should be upheld and dealt with as a whole nation and not making the citizens blindingly believe their government that is giving them sugar-coated information.  Clearly Henry is saying that the duty of government is to be honest and open with its people, no matter what the situation is.  Proof of this is in his words in paragraph two, "Mr. President, it is natural to indulge in the illusions of hope.  We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth... Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not?" Along with this he claims the duties of the actual citizen within the government by saying that he is an experienced man who is willing and able to serve the country at every need she has.  "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experiences" (Paragraph 3). By saying these words, Henry is basically saying that if the government tells the truth and is willing to work through everything to get the liberty the people deserve, then the duty of the people would be to go through with what the country needs. Whether that be drafted into the army, or throwing themselves into manufacturing goods to keep the country out of a depression.  Now this is from a man's point of view.  The next piece of work is by a woman during the 19th century.
  This woman's name is Elizabeth Cady Stanton and was the prime advocate for women's rights.  She spoke at the Seneca Falls Convention through a speech that had unmistakable parallels to the actual declaration of Independence and was thereafter named the "Declaration of Sentiments".  One of the many ways she informs the government of their duties is through her statements directed at the men, but then are put into effect through the government.  For example she says, "He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice." This quote directs the government into forming new laws and regulations that promote the equal citizenship and rights of all people.  The duty of the government in her eyes is to not be sexist towards either gender and to adjust laws so that they are equal among women and men. And as this is the duty of the government, the duty of the governed would then to follow these laws religiously. Whether it is a woman or a man, a citizen will respect their country just the same.  And Elizabeth Stanton wants the nation to understand, to recognize that, and to put that into effect. Although her statements in this declaration were primarily based on what the government needs to do for the people, there is another man who wrote a speech that at its heart conveys ever efficiently what the duties of a government are and vice versa involving the governed. 
  Bill Clinton was a man stuck in a political complication that was losing advocates from his recently full group of supporters.  As his affair with a young woman unveils he realizes that a speech must be made in order to keep order in the country and for the country not to lose hope it its President.  It was an apology to the nation and was given in 1998 on August 17.  Throughout the piece he recognizes what he did was wrong but then blames citizens for the recently corrupted nation.  He states the duties of HIS job in society as a part of the government when he says "We have important work to do -- real opportunities to seize, real problems to solve, real security matters to face" (Paragraph 10, Page 2).  In his eyes, through this quote, he is saying that a government is there to provide strength to solve the nations problems and to deal with the safety and security of the nation.  The private life, according to him, is of no concern to the governed and should therefore be neglected as evidence that he is an unfit president.  The duties of the governed in this situation would to be to support their president and forgive his apologies, but then to also stay out of the private affairs that belong to him.  No matter who is involved with the government, they are always just innocent civilians themselves making along in this world.  Who is a citizen to say anything bad about their leader when the matters at hand do not effect the way the country is ran?  In this way Clinton blatantly states the duties of the governed and of the government through his apology to the nation... that in the end, wasn't really an apology at all.