The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-22
good government, without 1t we ap-
proach a national catastrophe.
RASCALS AND KNANES.

good government, WllnOul IL we dp-
proach national catastrophe.
RAsCALS AND KNAVES.
Because the inheritance is ours does
not arouse and develop us to proper
management. The theory that If the
teople shape policies and elect rulers
they will always do their best Is not
true, otherwise republics never would
have perished. The cemetery for such
dead has occupants and we may lay
in the row If we do not cultivate rea-
son. For rascals are trying to spoil
our estate for their personal advan-
tage. We elect knaves, give them the
key to the money chest and they help
themselves 1t is no less thievery be-
cause they appropriate the funds un-
der authority of a voted ordinance.
Some legislation is criminal and VIII
be so long as the unworthy are put in
power.
The enthronement of incompetence is
q sad spectacle. Members of school
boards who cannot read fixing the
standard for our children. I shudder
when l see the unlettered with ballot
in hand to fix measures and elevate
men. They may have pure intentions
yet are incompetent The greatest
brain is fully taxed to clearly think
out the best measures for this great
community. l am alarmed at the lack
of conservation to the general welfare
on the part of those most able for
public service. Men of talent and
honor say they do not enjoy wire
pulling and partisan work and stay out
of politics. Washington had the mod
esty of greatness yet the sacrifice of
patriot and took the place the people
desired him to occupy and headed the
list of presidents with a grace and
worth that put him in the first rank of
all the worlds rulers.
The doctor then raped the greed of
aspirants for office and insisted upon
the best being willing to give their best
to the country's service. He showed
how the increased size and comDexity
of interests called for the largest men
to enter national management. He in
dicated the tendency to oligarchy in
undemoCracy since the few We're will
ling to manipulate the campaign for
their set and among themselves enjoy
the gains. He rebuked the stayers at
home from primaries and suggested
that compulsory voting at polls must
be joined to compulsory share in nomi-
nation and advised every son of Amer
lea to be at the germ of our govern
ment, the caucus or primary.
CARLYLE WAS FALSE.
He approved of leadership of the
nlSneSt ana DuIeSl CldIdclel' Z
must have chiefs who are competent.
Carlyle was false when he suggested
we have a world of knaves out of
which honesty is the result. We have
much ignorance and some iniquity, the
latter often organized and therefore
effective. The good must be as wise.
He suggested that the national schools
should have studies to develop the
ability to run this government, every
red schoolhouse being a nursery of pa
triotism, with the flag floating over 1t,
and the young learning of American
heroes as we'll as Greek and Roman
worthless. He counseled against falla-
cious theories and dangerous expert
ments suggested by the never ending
crop of cranks and self-styled reform
ers.
After some words as to great prob
lens like the liquor and immigration
question he concluded with the words
| of hope:
There is fount about to stream,
There is a light about to beam;
| There is warmth about to glow;
| There is a flower about to blow;
There is a midnight changing into
gray,
Men of thought men of action, clear
| the way!
Sons of America can and will save
| America