The Colfax chronicle., 1890-11-22

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OF reflections, we should not miss the les
sons they commend to US, nor fail to re.
new our appreciation of the value Of this
citizenship, and revive our appreciation
OF the sentiments and conditions in which
it has its rise and growth.
And first Of all we should be profoundly
grateful that the elements which make mn
the strength and vigor Of American citi-
zenship are 90 naturally related to our
situation and are 80 simple. The intrieuee
OF monarchy which faint the individual
character Of the subject; the splendor
which dazzles the popular eye and de-
tracts the attention from abuses and stiflee
discontent; the schemes of conquest and
selfish aggrandizement which make q
selfish people, have no legitimate place in
our national life. Here the plain people of
the land are the rulers. Their invesfiture
OF power is only accompanied with the
conditions that they should love their
country. that they should jealously guard
! and protect its interests and fair fame. and
that all the intelligence with which they
are endowed should be devoted to an
understanding of its needs and the promo
ton OF its welfare. These are the elements
OF American citizenship, and these are the
conditions upon which our free institu-
tions were intrusted to our people, In full
reliance, at the beginning and for all time
TO come, upon American manhood, conse-
Grated by the highest purest patriotism.
A country broad and new, to be subdued
to the purposes of mans existeuce. and
promising vast and independent resources
and people intelligeatly understanding
the value OF free nation and holding fast
to an intense affection for it's history and
its heroes have had much to do with
moulding our American character and
giving it hardihood and vigor. But il
should never be forgotten that the in
huence which, more than all other things
has made our people safe depoeitaries OF
governmental power, and which has
furnished the surest guaranty of the
strength and perpetuity Of the republic.
has its source in the American homo.
Here our patriotism is born and eptwiuee
itself with the growth OF ilial love, and
here our children are taught the story of
our freedom and independence. But above
all, here in the bracing and wholesome
atmosphere OF uncomplaining frugality
and economy. the mental and moral at
tributes our people have been firmly knit
and invigorated. Never could it be said
OF any country 50 truly as of ours, that
the permanency of its institutions depends
upon its homes.
have spoken of frugality and economy
as important factors in American life. j
find no fault with the accumulation of
wealth, and am glad to see energy and en-
terprise receive their fair reward But I
believe that our government in its natural
Integrity is exactly suited to q frugal and
economical people; and / believe it is |
safest in the hands of those who have been
made strong and self-reliant in their citi- |
zenship, by self-denial and by the sur-
rouudiDgs 0f an enforced economy. Thrift |
and careful watchfulneas OF expenditure |
among the people tend TO secure thrifty |
governments and cheap and careful living |
on the part OF individuals ought to enforce |
economy in the public expenditures.
When. therefore, men in high places of /
trust, charged with the responsibility of |
making and executing our laws not only |
condemn but hippantly deride cheapness
and economy within the homes OF our peo-
pie, and when the expenditures OF the gov
eminent are reckless and wasteful, we may |
be snre that something is wrong with us,
and that condition exists which calls for /
a vigorous and resentful defense OF Ameri-
cans by every man worthy to be called an
American citizen.
Upon the question OF cheapness and
whether it relates to individuals
or to the operations of the government,
the Democratic patry, true to it's creed
and its traditions, will unalterably remain
attachee to our plain and frugal people.
They are especially entitled to the watch
'ul care and protection Of their govern
nent; and when they are borne down with
burdens greater than they can bear, and
Ire made the objects Of scorn by hard
we leave not their side. As
he great German reformer. insisting upon
lis religious convictions, in the presence
It his accusers, exclaimed, II can do
fought else. Here stand. God help me"
70, however much Others may mock and 4
leride cheapness and the poor and frugal
nen and women Of our land, we will stsnd
orth in defense Of their simple American ,
sm defiautly proclaiming, I'VE can do ,
fought else. Hero we stand" II
Thus when the question is raised wheth- |
r our people shall have the necessariee
4 life at a cheaper rate. we are not ,
shamed to confess ourselves Sin full !
with the demand for cheaper ,
oate;' and we are not disturbed by the :
int that this seems necessarily to in !
olive cheaper man or woman under the !
OATS When the promoter Of q party !
leasure which invades svery home in the ,
md with higher prices, declares that :
cheap and nasty go together and this i
hole system Of cheap things is badge OF !
overly; for cheap merchandise means .
heap men and cheap men mean cheap
,untry." we Indignantly repudiate such =
q Interpretation Of American eentiment. =
And when another one, high in party 4
,uncils, who has become notorious as the d
1vocate OF contriyance to perpetuate 4
artisan supremacy by outrageous inter- .
rences with suffrage, announces that b
he cry for cheapness is un-American;r {,
Q scornfully reply that his speech does a
1t indicate the slightest conception Of il
ne Americanism- / will not refer to G
her utterances Of like import from simi-
r sources. / content wyself with recall
& the most prominent and significant. !,
What was the occasion Of these condem- 9,