The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-11-21

Dor to all the people GROVER CLEVELAND.
OF the land; because he is the friend of all who
love their country; because his career splendidly
illustrates the best and strongest elements of
our national character; and because his example
belongs to all his countrymen.
1t is fitting that those who have faith in our
destiny as a nation, who believe that there are
noble things which belong distnctvely to our
character as people and who prize at its true
worth pure American citizenship, should gather
mere tonight. IL is given to us to contemplate
the highest craftsmanship, the most unyielding
and disinterested devotion to the interests of the
people, and the most valuable achievements in
the cause OF our country's welfare, all of which
have been stimulated and accomplished through
the influence and impulse of true unperverted,
sturdy Americansm. We rejoice in the exam
pie Afforded on this occasion OF genuine Ameri-
can citizenship, revealed to us as a safe and in
faliibe interpreter of duty In all the emergen-
cies Of long and honorable public career and
as an unfailing guide to usefulness and fame.
The Plain People Are Rulers.
In this presence and in the atmosphere of these
reflections, we should not miss the lesson they
commend TO us, nor fail TO renew our apprecia.
ton of the value of this citizenship, and revive
our apprehension of the sentiments and condi-
tions in which it has its rise and growth And
first Of all we should be profoundly grateful that
the elements which make up the strength and
vigor of American citizenship are so naturally
related to our situation and are so simple. The
ihtilsucs VI IuOndTCnS NulcH talnt the individual
character of the subject; theIsplendor which daz.
zles the popular eye and distracts the attention
from abuses and STILES discomfort; the schemes
Of conquest and selfish aggrandizement which
makes a selfish people have legitimate place
in our national life Here the plain people of the
land are the rulers. Their investture of power is
only accompanied with the conditions that they
should love their country, that they should jeal.
ously guard and protect its interests and fair
fame, and that all the intelligence with which
they are endowed should be devoted TO an under.
standing Of its needs and the promotion of its
welfare.
Elements of American citizenship.
country broad and new, to be subdued to the
purposes of mans existence and promising vast
and independent resources, and a people intelli-
gently understanding the value OF free nation
and holding fast TO intense affection for its
history and its heroes, have had much to do with
molding our American character and giving il
hardihood and yigor, But It should never be for.
gotten that the influence which, more than all
other things, has made our people safe deposi-
taries of governmental power, and which has
furnished the surest guaranty Of the strength
and perpetuity Of the republic, has its source in
the American home.
Reckless and wasteful Expenditures.
] have spoken of frugality and economy os i'm
portant factors ia American life. find no fault
with the accumulation of wealth, and am glad TO
see energy and enterprise receive their fair re-
ward. But believe that our government in its
natural integrity is exactly suited 70 frugal and
economical people; and believe it is safest in
the hands Of those who have been made strong
and self reliant In their citizenship by self denial
and by the surroundings OF an enforced economy.
When, therefore, men in high places OF trust,
charged with the responsibility Of making and
executing our laws, not only condemn but flip
PANTY deride cheapness and economy within the
homes of our people and when the expenditures
Of the government are reckless and wasteful we
may be sure that something is wrong with US,
and that condition exists which calls for vig-
orous and resentful defense of Americansm, by
every man worthy 70 be called an American
citizen.
Upon the question Of cheapness and economy,
whether II relates TO individuals or To the opera
tions OF the government, the Democratic party,
true 10 It's creeds and its traditions will unalter-
ably remain attached TO our plain and frugal peo-
Pile, They are especially entitled to the watch
fu care and protection Of their government; and
when they are borne down with burdens greater
than they can bear and are made the objects of
scorn by hard taskmasters, we will not leave
their side As the great German reformer, in
sstng upon his religious convictions In the pres
ence Of his accusers exclaimed; ~ can do nought
else. Here stand. God help mel" SO, however
much others may mock and deride oheapness
and the poor and frugal men and women Of our
land, We will stand forth in defense OF their sim
pie America nism, dehantly proelaiming; eve
can do nought else. Here we stand"
No Conception OF True Amerieanism.
When the promoter OF party measure which
invades every home In the land with higher
prices declares that ''cheap and nasty 60 to-
gether and this whole system OF cheap things Is
naa@ OF poye'tsi feS shsAp HaarshansiA..