The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-04-08
THE DANGER AHEAD
Cardinal Gibbons on the Pollution Of the
Ballot and the ROttennesS
Of Our Legislators.
The History Of Republics Of the Past
Should Serve to Guide Us by the
Rock Of Destruction.

Rock OF Destruction.
1t is persistently denied by the APP
ponents of the industrial reform
movement that there is any rea-
sonable ground of complaint. This
movement is declared to be caused by
ambitious demagogues. That the peo-
pies party have any basis Of fact, or
any solid ground Of argument is also
| denied.
The preamble to the peoples party
platform, on the other hand, recites
the wrongs that should be righted,
declares that new party is necessary
and pounds the alarm that the "nation
is broughtto the verge of moral, politi-
cal and material ruin; that corruption
dominates the ballot box, the legisla-
lures of the states, the congress of the
nation, and even touches the ermine
Of the bench, and that the people are
impoverished and demoralized."
THERE is DANGER AHEAD.
Now here is a point blank issue.
Here is chance for an argument and
the pros and cons are plainly stated.
Let us see:
Patrick Henry said
Il have no lamp by which my feet
are guided, but the history of the
past"
History" says Cardinal Gibbons,
sis philosophy teaching by example"
We will draw some lessons from the
history of the great nations of the
earth which have passed away, and
have gone down in the "wreck of
empire, and the crash of thrones
Greece, at one time, was a kingdom,
then a democracy, then an empire,
then destroyed, Rome was first, a
kingdom, then a republic, then an
empire, then destroyed. France w&s
first, kingdom, then republic, then
an empire, then a republic, etc. Eng
land was first kingdom, then a re.
public. then an empire. The colonies
which united to form our union, were
first the provinces of kingdom, then
arepublic, and the next step is empire.
We might cite also the transitions of
the Swiss republic, the Dutch republic,
the Spanish republic, the Mexican re-
public, as we'll as those of Central and
South America. We may as we'll ask
ourselves, in view of these historic ex-
amples, show long will the people of
the United States maintain ther con-
stitutional libertiesP" and, "are the
same elements of decay at work upon
our institutions as have caused those
of the older nationalities to crumble
into ruin?' These are serious ques-
tons and should be carefully cOnsid-
cred by every true citizen and patri-
otto American.
Cardinal Gibbons, in the North Am
erican Review of April. says:
"Our republic, while retaining its
form and name, may degenerate into
most odious tyrrany; and the irres-
ponsible despotism of the multitude is
more calling, because more difficult 10
shake off than that of the autocrat.
IA brief review of the Roman re-
public, and the causes of its downfall
will teach US useful lesson. The
republic prospered so long as the citi-
zens practiced simplicity of life and
the civil magnitude administered
even-handed justice. Avarice and
ambition proved its ruin. The avarice
of the poor was gratifed by the bribery
of the rich; and the ambition of the
rich was fed by the votes of the poor.
'In the latter days of the republic
bribery and corruption were shame
fully practiced. Marius was elected
to the consulship by the purchase Of
votes, and by collision with the most
notorious demagogues. Pompey and
Cassius secured the consulship by in
timidation, though. neither of them
was legally qualified for that office.
THE loss of the political autonomy
of Greece, which preceded that Of
Rome, may be traced to the same
cause. To the early Romans their oath
was sacred and perjury a detestable
crime.
"Cato failed to be elected consul,
IL