The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-04-27
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
WILL THE REPUBLIC STAND FOR
THAT LENGTH OF TlME7

Prominent Men of Many Glasses Have Been
interviewed on This Most Important
Question-All Reply Hopefully Save Ex-
Master Workman Powderly.
Every American citizen regards the
republican institutions and forms of
government as the greatest safeguards of
our country.
Recognizing this fact, the Chicago
Tribune submitted the following cues.
tions to a number Of public men quail
fed to answer them:
First.-Will our present republican
form of government last 100 years Ion
ger?
Second. If not, why not?
Third. What is it's greatest peril?
Fourth.-Is there any danger that
aliens may so buy up the land and for
eign syndicates SO buy up the business
enterprises as to obtain control Of our
country and eventually change it's form
Of government?
Their replies are interesting, and an
interesting abstract will be found be-
low:
The first question to which you de-
sire an answer from me is: "Do you
think that our present republican form
of government will last 100 years Ion
ger?" To which I reply that I not only
fervently pray and trust but also firmly
believe that it will.
In view of my answer to your first
question your second one-"If not, why
not?"-requires no answer
Next you ask: "What is its greatest
peril?' I answer that it's greatest peril
lies in a departure from those Christian
principles upon which u very laws
and institutions are based. AS long as
those Christian principles are maintain
ed our institutions will, under God,
survive and flourish. Our laws, which
are only expressions of eternal law, will
command our respect and therefore our
loyal obedience. On the other hand,
every departure from those Christian
principles upon which our social fabric
rests, especially in respect to the mar
riage tie and the freedom of popular
suffrage, tends to the loosen1ng OF the
foundation stones of our republic.
One of the most admirable features
Of our present system of government is
the happy balance of federal power with
state autonomy, and as long as this
golden mean is observed we shall pos
sess strength and liberty and indestruc-
tibillty as a great nation.
To your fourth query I reply that, in
my Judgment, we need have no fear of
foreign capitalists and foreign syndi-
Gates. Those who invest in our public
lands and our business enterprises will
naturally be brought into closer ac-
quaintance with our present republican
form of government, and there is little
doubt that our institutions and our laws
will gain upon them upon closer &C.
quaintance and finally win their COM
plete respect and loyal support james
Cardinal Gibbons.
"Will our present republican form
of government last 100 hundred years
longer?' l answer yes. The constitu-
tion may be amended, changes in form
may occur, but u republican govern
ment will endure for all time.
My answer to your first question
renders it unnecessary to give you one
for your second.
Your third question, What is our re-
public's greatest peril?" I will not Il
dertake to answer categorically. The
danger to our republican form of gov
eminent arises from the ignorant, the
vicious and venal classes, controlled by
designing and corrupt men. To guard
against this danger we should educate
the rising generation, prevent the COM
ing to this country of the criminal
classes of other nations, maintain the
standard of American wages and thus
secure the independence of the Ameri-
al workingmen, frown down by public
opinion and punish by law all corrupt
practices which debase the voter and
cheaper suffrage.
I do not think there is q particle of
danger that aliens will sc buy up the
land and foreign syndicates so buy up the
business enterprises a to obtain control
Of country and eventually change
its form of government. The induce
ments to foreign investors in this coun-
try are created by our system of govern
ment and u republican institutions.
Foreigners who have invested their cap
ital here for greater safety and better
profits will naturally be interested in
maintaining those institutions, and ]
doubt if a majority, other things being
equal, would prefer a monarchy or an
aristocracy to a republican form of gov
orpDunt v-CaOatOr 7 N nolph III