Evening star., 1895-05-30

the opportunity and the glory, If you have
no higher motive than glory, are infinite.
'"The responsibilities of the sovereign
power are upon US ALL" said the orator
and continued: "How, then, are we per-
forming our duties sovereigns, equals
all, but equals, not as subjects, but as
kings?
The Sacred Ballot.
1.-The ballot box is the seat of govern
ment There is the secret of our power. Is
the ballot honest and pure? Is there any,
where the just suspicion of fraud, or the
false registering of force, or the baleful
effect of ignorance and incompetency in
the verdict of the people as wrought out
in popular elections? How is it in this
great capital? Alasl here there is no suf-
frage at all. How is it in the country at
large? For we are as much interested in
the ballot of New York and Texas New
England and the great west, upon the
great issues of the times as the people of
the states themselves. No free government
can long exist whose elections are dictated
by force or fraud. When either enters
largely into the result real elections cease
and free government is superseded by tyr
amy ruling under the forms of liberty,
which is the worst despotsm possible be-
cause 1t serves the devil in the livery of
heaven. I appeal to the conscience of
every citizen on this solemn occasion to
confess the truth to himself, whatever it
may be; and to say, whether he is doing
his whole duty to keep the suffrage pure
and sacred, and, if not that he will forth
with stretch out the arm of his sovereignty
to rescue the ballot box, that sacred urn
OF freedom, from worse than vandalic desc
Grafton"
The integrity of the jury system and its
preservation in purity and strength, Mr..
Blair continued, was another of the duties
falling to the citizen.
Legislative Purity.
There is another subject" he continued
which T Ind in
with the discharge of our primary duties
as sovereigns of our state and country.
that is the necessity of securing the high
est possible standard of wisdom and integ-
rity in those whom We select to make as
well as to administer the law
THE legislature is the direct creation Of
the people and should be wholly above any
just suspicion of liability to undue influence
from any eXtraneous power. If the people
are careless themselves their representa-
tives will become Indifferent to the stern
obligations of public virtue, and when
VenaHty and corruption have invaded the
purity OF primary elections by which legis-
latureS are chosen, the old principle, that
the stream cannot rise higher than the
fountain, applies, and fraud and greed must
be expected to bear sway, while probity
and devotion to the public welfare bee ONE
the haracteriSticS of So-called cranks and
those who are actuated by these ancient
and homely motives may consider them
selves fortunate if they are allowed to live
ana mourn in silence the degeneracy of
those whose fathers graves we have this
day clothed in the hues and perfumes of
the early year.
II believe that we of this generation
have our full burden of responsibilities
and that the highest capacity, the most
profound wisdom, the loftiest patriotism
and the most unimpeachable integrity are
as urgently demanded by the eXigencies of
today as at any previous period in human
affairs.
The Soldiers Glory.
TO the Surviving Soldiers Of the Union:
L have but few words to say for of what
consequence 10 you are words? You live
in imperishaole deeds. You made the most
glorious part of your country's history
Mortal endeavor shall emulate, but shall
never surpass it. What care you now for
the vicissitudes of time? What if the line
lessons yearly, and the tottering step of
many veteran has today for the last
time borne him to the graves of departed
comrades, laden with the flowers of re-
membrance and love? Over how MANY of
US Will the stih diminishing and more fall
tering band spread the rose and forget
me not one year from todayi What of IT?
1e have done enough. The past is secure.
Go We now proudly and gladly to ioin
Grant, Who has fought his way through
the last wilderness TO the line of eternal
summer and joy; and Sheridan, who is VIC
torious as of old. but in happier valleys
than the Shenandoah; and Sherman, who.
with the great body of his legions has al
ready accomplished his triumphant march
to The sea of life; and Logan, black prince
OF war. pride of victorious volunteers for
over!
BE it so, and farewell!
But until ;he summons come we will
stand by the flag on earth, and continue In
peace the service of the country We love.