Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-03-14
POLITICAL SALVATION.
MIR. Rawlins Ogden Speech Delivered
in the Uuion Opera House,
March 4th. 1885.

Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen
More than eighteen centuries ago the
question was asked, "What shall we do
to be saved?" If to-day you ask what
shall we do to be politically saved, L
answer, be Democrats What is neces-
sary to constitute Democrat? 1t is but
to be a man-that embodiment OF the
qualities and attributes which constitute
genuine fearless manhood He is a man
who to the extent of the faculties with
which he is endowed, deems himself the
equal of any other man. He recognizes
himself as an integral and responsible
part of the government of the common
wealth, who by reason of the assistance
which duty requires him to render it,
shares the credit if its administration is
wholesome and benifcent. or the odium
and disgrace in case ofsfailure. > The man
who Is the Democrat and worthy OF the
name, willingly and manfully accepts the
trust which free government devolves up
on him after informing himself upon any
question of policy or government to act
politically as his best individual lndg-
ment would direct, absolutely free from
coercion, control or dictation. Having
political intelligence and convictions, he
also has the courage of his convictions
and would speak his sentiments with an
untramelled voice though menaced by
as many devils as there are tiles upon the
roofs of the houses. He would
never permit his political voice and &C
ton to be distorted, or turned aside from
what he deemed the right by the manip-
ulation of others, but in spite of all would
see to it that the force of his individuality
is commingled with that of his fellow citi
zens for counteraction or assistance, that
the resultant might be the highest good
to the state and the people,
No craven-no serf-no man-milliner
is he, the true Democrat. He walks with
resolute bearing and speaks with manly
voice. He does not shamble with
borrowed gate, nor await the stale and
fetid inspiration of another to guide his
political conduct What he claims
for himself he freely accords
to others-and he has more
respect for the courageous foe than for the
suppliant wretch who might seek to be-
come his tool. He has soul of courage
but also imbued with magnanimity. In
the strength of his manhood he can we'll
afford to be tolerant even of the intoler-
ant.
If we turn our eyes upon history we
might see the typical Democrat in Athens
that wonderful city-full of Democrats
ascending the Acropolis, to engage in
an intelligent participation in the affairs
of self-government. If, then, the
voice OF the people was not in reality
the voice of God, it was the omnipotent
voice. These Democrats ruled their city
as they ruled themselves. Thus every
citizen grew into the statesman. Through
their intelligence and freedom these
Democrats achieved the greatest success
in all that administers to the comfort and
prosperity of man. Their energy and in
telligent activity could not be confined
within the limits of single city, but
reached out into distant lands. The bar
barians and serfs of despotic governments
paid tribute to the glory and prosperity
of Democratic Athens. 1t is impossible
to measure the Indebtedness of modern
art, civilization and government to the
Democracy of this ancient city. The
world has listened too long to that de-
lusive and sacrilegious appeal that the
voice of an autocrat or the voice of king
or the voice of priesthood being the
divine voice is to be obeyed under the
penalty of divine condemnation. Upon
this we turn our backs. We know them
by their fruits of misgovernment, folly
and ruin.
The affairs of government can be safely
intrusted to the intelligence of free
people. The collective judgment-the
consensus of free Democratic people is
the best practical guide in matters OF gov
eminent. For good government there
fore, we need but race of Democrats.
But it is said that Utah has nonbeen fruit
full of such productions. Not that the soil
is unsuitable, but the atmosphere has
been stagnant and vaporish Such as
have sprouted and fourished for season
have, ere attaining maturity, thereby
been widowed or blighted But little
agitation may have the effect to dissipate
this malignant vapor. The Democratic
Club proposes for itself this species of
home production, the nurture and cult
walton of genuine Democrats. For, fellow
citizens, our political salvation depends
upon our Democracy.