The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1896-09-03

lOur educational system, ought to be an
inspiration to the rising generation.
eve ofthe younger generation should
not fail to understand that the pioneer
| has been the strongest vital force in
the reforms of our country and has al
lwavs been the strong bulwark of our
j liberties. Our safety lies not in the
formation Of new institutions, and new
parties. but in a firm adherence to the
institutions established a. q built up by
our fathers, and in their maintenance,
| by sound Judgment and common sense,
backed by the experience OF years. 1t
was their push and energy that cleared
the forests and built the cabins. 1t
has been their conservative wisdom and
courage that have brought us through
darkest hours. 1t must be by sober
Judgment and reason that the pro-
ducts of the farm and the factory may
be made to yield profit and our homes
be made secure
Almost half a century has passed
since the state of Wisconsin was carved
out of the Northwest territory. Time
has wrought many changes in the con-
dition of her people and has brought,
with increasing years, a large measure
of prosperity. The OK team could not
keep pace with the rapid progress OF
the people, and railroads supplied their
needs. Forests have been cleared
away and the fields have responded to
the efforts of the husbandman. Cities
have sprung up like magic. Schools
and colleges have been established and
Wisconsin has taken a leading place
among the states of the union in com
mercal and educational advancement.
Our manufactures are stable and pro
gressive Our motto " Forward" has
become the watchword of the people. "
Here Mr. Buckmaster rapidly
sketched the growth of the state under
the sturdy work of the pioneers. Then
touching upon existing conditions, he
continued:
~ do not mean to say that with all the
prosperity of our almost half century OF
statehood there has not crept into our
civilization grave evils which are dan
gerous to the commonwealth. There
are dangers which we have in common
with other states, dangers which must
be guarded against and evils which
must be checked.
"Our state prisons and reformatory
institutions are crowded to almost their
fullest capacity. Our insane asylums
contain hundreds, yes, thousands of in
mates who, from various causes, have
lost that better part of man, their
reason Crime, if not actually on the
increase, is still prevalent, not only
here, but everywhere. 1t is fact not
to be denied that in the large cities
the prevalence Of crime is simply APP
palling 1t is not because we have not
laws enough on our statute books. We
have laws covering almost every con-
ceivable subject, from murder to merry
making. And are these laws enforced?
Yes, as we'll as they can be enforced
under existing conditions. There is
one fact always to be borne in mind,
that is, that no law, whether for felony
or misdemeanor, can ever be we'll en-
forced unless the sentiment Of the peo-
pie is back of it. If law is popular
our jury system supplies the means of
evading it. What we need is not more
laws, not a revision Of our existing
laws, but an education OF the people to
higher moral plane that they may be
inspired with deeper respect for law.
The greater the number Of laws on our
statute books the more there will be to
break. There are too many dead let
ters The fact that many laws en-
acted are never intended to be enforced
inspires a disrespect for laws in general.
"If laws are we'll enforced it is usually
because the sentiment of the people
will uphold their enforcement. If not
it is because the sentiment of the peo-
pie is lax or careless. 1t is not that
the people have an Intentional dis
regard for law and it's enforcement, but
rather from their dislike of being in
struments in it's enforcement they rem
der our jury system inadequate and our
courts pOwerless.
"There is another evil in our land
which should cause us to pause and
consider. 1t is the reckless, rushing
haste for wealth, the over-development
of the commercial spirit. In our cities,
yes in our rural districts, the people are
jostling one another in anxious and
angry haste for the almighty dollar.
Culture and moral teaching are too
often neglected and education made to
serve only the ends of material gain.
Even religion is paying tribute to this
tyrant. Her sacrifices are too often
made on the affairs of silver and gold.
At this point Mr.. Buckmaster de-
fined the difference in general terms
between the radical and conservative
elements in politics and carrying it out