The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-06


age intelligence and honesty Of shs people.
Recent events in this country have seriously
shaken the faith OF roany who have heretofors
believed in the permanency of our present insti-
tutions, There seems TO be prospect that la
bor or, at any rate. those classes OF active agl-
tators and reformers who claim TO speak Tor Ia
Dor, will soon WELD thu wand OF public author
/ hope to see some improvement from their
agitation, though it is easy 20 imagine the pres
ence OF circumstances and contingencies that
would altogether thwa5t such improvement, AZ
actually did happen in the French revolution.
II faction RACES in Che ranks Of relormers TO
ouch an extent as itoften has ragged: u conf
depce among leaders issupplanted by suspicion,
hatred and fear; If the devil OF ambition raises
his head, and force sapp,ants reason and just
ice, then as well might you expect TO stop the
torrent in its course Is 70 stay the onward march
know there are men in the Peoples move
meat whose hearts are srae, and whose souls are
filled with high ansicFpationa II 10 NOS un-
pleasant to indulge these hopes nor TO feel the
impulse of grand ideals. II 10 possible that
some OF these hopes MAJ be realised or some OF
these ideals attained, but ! look down the
bloody and disastrous cages of history and In
dulge in no foud prediction.
present economic evilss l admit it: and why7
Because have seen so many plans presented IN
the past, and defeated ~ the perversity of the
Httio faith In formulas for the cure OF evils
whose roots lie in the constitution OF human
nature itself. 1t is true that environment does
environment is not, ~ many assume. the main
factor; aud the proof ofthis is in the TACT that
the greatest and best men OF history have come
from the fnd m mot s.o the Ss
borne in mind that environment is the passive
factor in the case and Is always willing to
change at mans dictatIon; while men are the
to change OF environment, even when the
change Is for their best and highest good: IL
was men, not environment. that crueifed
haf v,niaN cd Sflsra hot
Graechi, that burned Brlno and Huss. And 80,
when you trace back social wrongs to their
origin you will find that IL lies in environment
only as secondary factor; but that the origin
Of the environment, SO fgr as human regulations
make environment, fs man himself.
= 1t Is my earnest prayer and hope that out OF
good may be evolved have no respect for
men who will lie down and bury their faces In
the dust under the heel OF wealth, aud 90 not
believe that the American people will ever con.
cent to have themselves owned, controlled send
operated by few individuals; but l charge you
that when you rise TO assert what you believe to
be your rights, that you Else ike men, in peace,
moderation and justice. aud not like the wild
beasts OF the forests, in fesocty anu rage tramp
ling under foot the laws for which you, as free.
men casting your balioss, are responsible, and
dragging in the dust the dag of your country.
am no apoiigist for the rich. Never in hu.
man history have the wealthy classes ruled
has been forfeited thousand times by its cor
ruptions and excuses. 1t Is a historical maxim
that government by an Bristocracy Is the very
worst form of administration. The trainers OF
our government knew thu, land they threw upon
the shoulders OF every man an equal share OF
political re ponsibility. II the citizen neglects
this responsibility or abnses ii, II he leaves the
task OF governing to q: few politicians and
wealthy com binations, II ne il cajoled, intimi.
dated wheedled into voting contrary to his
own Judgment and conscience, II he falls from
his high estate and becomes a cipher III the d.
rection of public affairs, then, all plans and the
orles Notwithstanding. Just as sure as the morn
ing sun shall kiss the hillIops the great repub-
lie goes down to lgnomtni0us and eternal death.
Into your hands has been committed the des-
TIMES OF a great people. The veal or woe of un.
born generations hangs upon your public ac-
ton. 1t is q terrible responsibility, but 1t Is
also grand privilege. Va occupy a new cont.
nent, It's virgin breast scarce touched by the
pillow; with wealth Of mineral resources prsc.
tically fnexhausuble; WITH q soil as bounteous
Is any upon which the sun OF heaven ever
shone; with the press, the free school and the
public library scattering knowledge as heaven
scattefs dew-what visions OF future greatness
and happiness rise before the soul and how
truly will those visions be realized II our wis.
dom shall prove equal to cur matchless oppor.
But il We follow the der,agogus; IL we take
council of our passions and not of our reason;
If we resort to violent and unconstitutional
tional methods are availabie; and above all.
If we barter, for a modiciusn of present and per.
sonal gain tho world-embracing interests OF
the future-we shall incur che contempt of man.
kind. seven till the last syllable Of recorded
time"
y But IL the average citizen feels the great re-
sponsibility that the right of suffrage puts upon
him, he realizes that . uIsu can not vote right
unless he thinks right, and that he cannot think
right unless he has investigated the question
that he IL called to decide rpon il he brings the
same intelligence to bear upon public affairs
that he must bring 70 bear apon private affairs.
then il there hope for this country, and not
otherwise.
In the hafbor of New York there fs q magnifi-
cent statue representing Liberty Enlightening
the World. Majesticslly chg stands, holding her
divine torch over tho hags 81 q hundred nations.
1t is masterful work In conception and execu-
ton; and want to say to you that il you
should erect . similar statue in the harbor OF
Seattle that you base IL upoI a pillar of knowl.
edge on the one hand and virtue ON the other,
to teach the world that liberty IL based on
knowledge and virtue, and that without those,
let your political, industrial, and social forms
be what they may, whether you vote small men
into great places or great man into small places,
whether you fill your Offices with men whose
eympathies are right and " hose judgments are
wrong or with men whose judgments right
and whose sympathies are wrong, you will not
have liberty. You will bat change masters
Liberty 10 the fruit of forbeerance and justice:
not the accidental and distorted issue of per.
sonal and class contentious.
When the sun OF time sinks behind the
horizon of this wonderful century, may ito do.
Ginning rays rest upon people whose knOwi.
edge has mastered nature, aud whose wisdom
has banished strife-a people not In despair of
the future, but radiant with confidence and
hope for the morrow; people who have learned
also the science OF just distributions; people
with comfortable homes. virtuous habits, pro-
gressive instincts; people who love mankind
and obey the high dictates oE conscience.