The Van Buren press., 1897-04-24

To historical students II 3 apparent
that governmental laws shape individual
character and the conditions of society.
Since the dawn Of civilization in the
world it has developed and progressed
just in proportion as the principle Of
humanity has triumphed over the prin-
ciples of selfishness, and just in proper
ton as governmental laws have pro-
crossed seeking to do the greatest good
10 the greatest number of people of all
classes and under all circumstances aud
conditions.
In the advancement of civilization
moving on in its onward march, down
through the lapse of ages, slowly but
steadily the idea was conceived of a
republican form of government. This
was long stride Of progress in the di-
rection of government of and by the
people, and it was thought and conf
IDENTIFY expected that the principles of
humanity in all their beauty and with
all the word implies would prevail.
But, ere long it was found that the
principle of greed was lurking in the
back ground and slowly but surely
usurping the reins Of government and
undermining the principle Of humanity.
world that once hourished in all their
splendor and grandeur and in the inter
est Of all the people are now things of
the past and monarchies and despotisms
rule in their stead. In this country the
most successful experiment of a repub-
lican form Of government has been
made that has ever existed in any
country, and yet in less than one and a
quarter centuries after the declaration of
independence was promulgated by the
fathers of the republic we find in the
legislative halls that the high, noble and
patriotic principle of humanity is almost
entirely stamped out, while avarice
CONTROLS and shapes legislation for and
in the interest of great and powerful
financial institutions, concentrating all
the wealth into the hands or control of
few corporate powers, who by oper
alton of law become richer while the
great mass of mankind, by operation of
the same law, become poorer. Here,
at this point of our almost hopeless pro
gress of civilization the grand organi
cation of the Patriots of America, whose
principles are as broad, as high, as
deep and as far reaching in its scope as
all the definitions and constructions of
which that grand word humanity is
capable presents itself after all other
republics have been overthrown Except
a few minor ones, which exist in name
only declaring that the last stand for
| the constitution must be made here in
these United States against the aggres-
sions of greed and avarice. 1t declares
that it is just as necessary to organize
the people of this government today
against the avaricious policy of the
British government as it was in 1915.
Then the patriots were organized to
fight the battles of the revolution to
secure our liberties. Now after the
lapse of one hundred and twenty years
we find it necessary to continue the
same fight in a different manner and
with different weapons, and the patriots
should and must organize for the pro
lection of their mutual interest and the
general welfare of the common good, il
they would build up and by their bal
lots perpetuate our republican institu-
tions. Our organization appeals to the
common sense and Judgment of that
great element known as the common
people-the laboring, wealth producing
! people everywhere, and believes if
patriotism can be found TO exist in the
breast Of any people on earth it can be
found among this class who have borne
the hardships of life in their struggle
for existence, and seeing the produc-
tions Of their labors earned by the sweat
of their faces filched from them by
operation of unjust laws. This being
the land Of our nativity, the home of
our childhood, the country we love; vet
we sigh as the blood rushes to and fro
through the ventriclos of our heart and
causes our breast to heave with emo
tional feelings Of fear for the safety of
our republican institutions when we look