The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-01-09

i am not, In my judgment, oveIstating
the case when 1 say that at no time in
the history of the state has there been
more urgent need for wise and intelli-
gent action on the part OF the lawmak-
ing body: nor a more opportune time
for the enactment of prudent legisla-
ton. Abuses and impsrfections in ex-
listing statutes, which permit Of in
equalities. wrongs and hardships upon
n part Of our people should be correct
ed. bearing ever i'm mind that the OBJ
ject of all legislation is TO entirely Grad
icate, or reduce TO a minimum, these
various forms of evil in the enforce
ment OF law and order.
As nation we confidently assert that
our people are among the most en-
lightened and progressive on the face
of the earth; and you have the honor
to represent the people of a state hav-
ing the smallest per centage of Hit
eracy of any in the union. and who
are the peer of any people in the land,
in patriotism. intelligence, integrity.
and love of equality. truth and pustice
In the affairs of mankind.
Our public schools. cole ges and uni
versities testify to the love of our peo-
pie for education. Situated geograph-
ically i'm the center of the United States
We are afforded every opportunity for
constant and mutually profitable inter
course with all parts Of our common
country. IL is TO be regretted that par
tisan newspapers, having seemingly no
regard for the public welfare and with
spirit of intolerance entirely out of
place where free Institutions are ad-
mired, have attempted to prejudice the
minds of men who are unacquainted
with our state and its citizens by the
publication Of mendacious and SANDER
Gus articles rejecting on the intelli-
gence ard integrity of the people of Ne
braska. II has bsen intimated by men
high in the councils OF our national
government, as well as by some news
out the country, that the present ses-
sion of the legislature of Nebraska
would undertake by vicious and hostile
legislation to permit the reputation of
the debts of its citizens, to vitiate pri-
waite contracts, and to discriminate in
favor of one party to a contract so as
to demoraliZe the business of the peo-
pie of the state. These wanton at
tacks upon the free and enlightened
people of Nebraska would rot be wor-
thy of attention were they not calcu-
lated to incite the illwill of a class of
citizens Of older and more populous
states whose knowledge of Nebraskans
is CLEANED from newspaper comment.
and not from actual contact with our
people. 1t has been threatened that the
people of eastern states who have
money invested in Nebraska property
would withdraw their investments be-
cause the majority of our citizens have
a different political policy
from that having general endorsement
in the eastern portion of our country.
These unmerited reflections on the
intelligence and integrity of our citi-
Gems will not, 1 am sure, deter you from
your full duty to your con-
stituents by enacting any new laws or
legislation upon which you
may determine. By wise and judicious
action you will dispel any doubts
which may exist of the determination
Of our people to be strictly just to all
men; of their capacity, through their
to enact legislation for
the protection of all interests in the in
innate relations OF our own citizens
with each other, or with the citizens of
other states, and for the conservation
IF all legitimate business interests.
Nebraska is not the child of any other
state, or group of states. She is SOW
ereign state among the sisterhood of
states of the union, with equal privi-
leges, prerogatives. duties, and re-
sponsibilities- Her citizens are intel
igent, industrious. honest and patri-
otic. She has within her borders the
natural and acquired resources and all
the elements of strength and grandeur
necessary to maintain her proud posi-
ion as one of the foremost states of the
union. Nebraskans demand only the
right, and that they will maintain. of
their own affairs. without
any desire to infringe upon the rights
II any other people.