Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-10-15

broken peace 1t was a cause for which he
was willing to make any sacrifice. even life
itself. He could not have led in any war OF
aggression or conquest, for he was the
friend and benefactor, rather than an op
pressor or destroyer of the people. Ambi-
ton never stifled his sense OF duty or love OF
truth and justice, or furnished his name with
acts OF cruelty or tyranny. None welcomed
the return of peace with more cordiality,
and none saw the quiet disbanding OF b
army of bronZed and hardened veterans,
and their resump tiOn OF peaceful pursuits,
with emotions of greater pleasure when the
struggle was over. He did not believe that
because military force had saved the union
it was proper instrument of government
in time of peace In his last days, while
bearing with serenity and fOrtltude the tor
lures of an incurable disease, on Mount Nc
Gregor, he gave his life a final retrospect,
and it was the reunion of the warning Sec
tions under the old flag that gave him the
greatest satisfaction, and enabled him to
close his eyes for the sleep of death with the
comforting reflection that his work had been
well done and would outlive him.
The monument before US is dedicated to
the illustrious general of our armies, rather
than to the chief magistrate of our republic,
and it is therefore meet that my address
should dwell more on his military than his
civic life Whatever may have been his
merits, or his defects as chief executive he
was unquestionably our greatest soldier,
and his matchless achievements in the field
and their influence upon the fate of his
country amply justify this beautiful testi-
monial So long as love of liberty and
equality. and admiration for heroic deeds
and unselfsh patriotism last the memory of
Grant will be venerated Some of the acts
of his civil administration were really worth
more to the country and the world than the
dull routine and solemn responsibility of
many others. While men had dreamed
and written about the uselessness and
wickedness OF war as an agency
for the settlement OF controversies between
nations n
civilized methods, it was reserved for our
greatest soldier to reduce these theories and
vague aspirations to practice 1t was the
successful leader of our armies, in our great
est war, who took the lead in bringing the
civilized world to a practical recognition of
the value of a peaceful arbtrament of inter-
national disputes, and the treaty of Wash
ington is monument to his memory which
will outlive those of bronze and stone. Its
moral influence extends infinitely beyond
the immediate parties to it, or the age in
which it was negotiated. More than once
he displayed independence, high courage
and q strong sense of duty by vetoing
legislation which seriously threatened the
public welfare 1t is mistake to suppose
that popular government 8 an art or mys-
terry. Some OF the details of administration
require special training and experience
But in its broad policies. in the adjustment
of it to the ends for which it was organized,
in the promotion of its purposes, men like
Grant, who feel rightly and see clearly, who
have a sound JUDGMENT and saving common
sense, and who will resolutely assert them
selves under all circumstances, may be safe
ly trusted with it's affairs and destinies. 1t
would not be popular government il it were
otherwise. The men who have left the pro-
foundeSt impress on our history, were not
so much distinguished for their wealth.
or their eruditiOn, as the Qualities, or
some of them. which distin guished Grant.
These qualities are essential ingredients of
political manhood. and they are no less use
full and necessary in peace than in war We
on6 ftarp, Gioff
gressions OF those who seek to make of our
politics both an art and a mystery, intelligi
BILE only to the adept and initiated, who as
sumo the management of them by virtue of
their capacity for the deft and artful manip-
ulation of their fellows Their influence
upon the country is corrupt and debasing,
and the area of political venality constantly
enlarges under it. According to their views
the whole interest that any citizen has in
municipal, state or national government is
measured by what he can make out of it 1t
is worse than idle. to shut our eyes to the
existence of corrupt methods and prac-
| tees in our politics. which threaten
to subvert free institutions.
The people are often cheated at the polls
and in legislation. and prizes which should
be the reward OF honest merit too fire.
quently bestowed upon the cunning and the
INSCRIPTIONS rich Real freedom is not en-
joyed by the people unless the laws are en-
acted by their honestly chosen representa-
| tives. and their freedom OF action is as much
if controlled by force. The man who ac-
cepts bride of any sort places his con-
science and Judgment in the vilest bondage.
He is no longer free. Argument is wasted
on him. COnsiderat atoms of the public veal
or woe do not affect m Bayonets at the
polls would not control his conduct more
effectively. And men who contribute money
to buy votes, and to bride the peoples rep
resentatives, well as those who diSburse
it, are deadly enemies of the republic TIL -ir
greed and love of power are greater than
their love of country. They impair popular
respect for law. which is the only safeguard
for life and property: and it will be an evil
day for the nation when its preservation de-
ponds upon their patriotism and courage
They may masquerade in the garb of right
eousness. and address the people in the Ian
guage of patriotism but their virtues are as
sumed: they are hvpOcriteS and aSsins
of liberty. and would welcome a dynasty
rather than shed their blood in defense of
popular government. Their shameless and
Sid:Ous attacks on free institutions are in
fnitely more dangerous than the revolution
airy teachings and practices OF compare
lively few visionary and misguided men and
women in our large cities 1t is not such
men these, but the great multitude. en-
gagged in active and hardy pursuits, who
constitute the real strength of the nation
They are not enemies of law and order they
Go not envy or hate those who have acquired
property by honest methods, they bear their
full share of the public burdens, and so long
as the powers of the nation are not per vert
ed to their injury for the enrichment of a
| few they will rally to its defense with un-
selfish and devoted patriotism Their energy
and courage have not been dssdened by
ease and luxury. There can be no prosper
ity without publ tranquility, and the peo-
pie will not long remain tranquil under a
we'll founded belief that the corrupt use OF
money prevents free and honest express
| sion Of their choice of men and measures
| If public opinion cannot be honestly ex-
pressed in autho rized ways, our elections
will become expensive and useless mock
cries. and free government will exist only
| in name Let us not be deceived by mere
forms Radical changes in government may
be effected without perceptibie change in
the mode of administration Some of the
worst tyrannies the world has ever known
were maintained un der popular forms.
Men like Or ant who have sprung from the
people. with strong and resolute character,
unspoiled by luxury, clear minded and
level he AIDED, able to see men and things as
they really are, undeceived by outward show
and conventionality. are worth more to our
nation than all its mere cunning. self seek
ing politicians. its political theorists. or its
plutocrats- In war a nd pear e these quail
tieslie at the found alton of all true charae-
ter. A nation not only needs such men but
they are Indispensable to il In times of
peril It may perish without them