The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-04-09

for song? And under the influence OF
this prodigality OF nature, so sure as like
begets like, men must come forth from
our midst to match these majestic noun
tains, worthy of this generosity, and in
whose lives the State will possess wealth
which the nation will recognize, for
whom our pride will rise to the dignity of
affection, and whose career we will teach
our children TO initiate Many years ago
Mr.. Emerson said: ave cannot look up
on the freedom OF this country in connec-
ton with its youth without a PRESENT.
ment that here shall laws and constitu-
tions exist on some scale Of proportion to
majesty of nature To men legislating
for the area between the two oceans, be-
twixt the SHOWS and the tropics, some
thing of the gravity of nature will infuse
Itself into the code" And in considering
the future Of Idaho, and our duties and
responsibilities in connection with this
future, 1t seems TO me that our minds
must rise to level with the grandeur of
nature within The borders Of our beloved
stale
Those to whom Idaho's jewels are en-
trusted stand before the world as the
leading types of those who placed them
in power, The State is judged by the
character OF those who represent it, as
the principal is judged by the character
OF his agent. In directing the State the
character of the State is moulded by them.
The character Of the citizen is affected by
them, their methods infuse themselves in
to our methods. and their lives add true
wealth to the State in proportion to their
disinterested and lofty purposes. Can we
estimate the true and lasting wealth
Massachusetts possesses in the life of
Daniel Webster? No, the wealth he gave
to Massachusetts could not be crcum-
scrlbed within the narrow limits of a
State; he enriched the nation Illinois
could not absorb the wealth it possessed
in Abraham Lincoln, the nation could
not hold it; 1t overlooked our frontiers
and enriched the civilized world; and
The work that he has buildeG.
OFT with bleeding hand and tears
In error and in anguish,
viii not per sh with the years.
Time only enhances its value and lus-
tire. Nor do the dead patriots represent
all the wealth of the state Henry M .
Teller is crown of honor to the Centen-
NAL State, while Bryan honors Nebraska
far more than Nebraska honors him. Can
we estimate how much good such lives
do2 Can we calculate the influence they
have on the future of our young men, and
through them upon the future OF the
State? Do we realize the good or i'll effects
OF the lives and characters of those to
whom we entrust the honors of the State !?
Are you aware how few may really direct
the destiny of State? Are we aware
that great social and industrial problems,
affecting the whole destiny of State are
in the keeping Of two or three men? Can
you forecast the far-reaching influence
those men may exercise on the social and
industrial development of a people by the
Interpretation they give to the laws?
What treasure the State possesses in
men who are given this power, when they
are fully equipped in heart in brain. and
in a sympathetic knowledge of the wants
OF people and the conditions to which
the laws are intended to apply. and who
have the moral courage to stand bv their
convictions. regardless of the effect of
their action upon themselves. Two men.
through judicial ignorance, negligence or
bad motives, may not only mar the destiny
OF State, but indefinitely postpone its
high development. Your wealth. the
material wealth of the State, the morality
and virtue OF the citizen. will more or less
depend upon the wisdom, the virtue and
true nobility of those YOU place in power
This consideration is what gives sacred
ness to the ballot Aud any man who
N'N' Nhbe onitob w W "a lltCt VI
trust and honor man whom III knows
to be unworthy, is not yet fitted for
American citizenship. In a State where
each man honored with public trust.
performs all his official acts with u view
TO the interests of the public. and fidelity
to that public trust is his constant and
lmpelling motive, it is apparent that the
State possesses wealth IN this kind of
public service which is beyond calcula-
ton. Can we estimate The genuine
progress the State will make under those
conditions, not only in material sense,
but in that character OF manhood and
womanhood which is the enduring wealth
of a State? What pride we take in the
careers Of such public men and in being
citizens Of "a State capable of producing
them. Our love for our State is based in
a great degree upon our regard for our
public characters. Every American loves
MS country better by reason Of the lives
II Patrick Henry and Andrew jackson.
md this feeling naturally grows stronger
S it comes nearer home. Il Is no wonder