Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-06-10


WOULD CORRUPT AND DEMAGoGUEs MIS-
LEAD THE PEOPLE, and the end would
be that revolution and anarchy will
succeed the republic. and finally the
terrified and terrorized people will seek
safety under the protection of man
on horseback.
s'Are there present with us conditions
which warrant the belief that what has
been predicted uf our republic would
come true, and shall we refuse to call
attention to the facts lest we may offend
these who are delinquent, whose in-
'funces are far-reaching for evil and
who may condemn us7
"What relation does the citizen sus-
tam to the government? Let this rela-
ton be freely understood. Remember
the law that governs the moral world is
as certain and as inevisible as the law
of gravitation. Like causes produce
like effects in both the moral and phys
ical worlds. And those who offend
must pay the penalty not more certain
ly in the physical than in the moral
world.
''The republic is in more danger to-
day than when Fort Sumter was fred
upon. There are influences that are
making for ill. We have plenty of
education, but education, unless leav.
ened with morality simply fits the man
to be an expert scoundrel. Our coun.
try is IN danger because corruption in
our politics is as common as luncheon
at noon.
SIN almost every municipal and state
legislature there is an organized ban
ditti that demands tribute and sells leg.
islatIon. We know this to be so. We
do not guess it. We all know it.
'sThe influences are ripe and ripen-
ing to destroy our government unless
we turn aside from the way we have
been going and adhere to PRINCIPLES
rather than to PARTY. There are too
many men who would scorn dishonesty
in private affairs who encourage it in
politics. Half the world is going to the
devil because no one will shout out
loud. The time has come if the repub-
lie is to be preserved, when will
have to .rebuke men out loud.
"Men sneer at morality in politics,
but God knows there is hardly enough
left of it in politics of this country to
sneer at.
"Many sigh and pray for PROSPERITY
and many work themselves up into
belief that prosperity is speedily COM
ing to bless all our homes. But my
country.men do not be misled, but
think and reason and judge for your
selves. And so thinking and judging
don't you see that before we can bring
prosperity back to remain we must re
move the cause that drove and keeps
1t in exile1'
''Do not forget that the humblest
man whose fingers drop ballot helps
to guide the pen that writes the law
that makes right or promotes the wrong.
If liberty fails, if the wrong prevail, we
the people are to blame. for we write
the law.
"What hope have for the future7
Much hope, but..no confident expecta-
tion, because 1 find so many men who
for party advantage trample principle
| under foot. There are so many who
have grown discouraged and have quit
trying to make our politics purer and
better. l find so many who are willing
to buy legislation as they buy corn and
wheat.
81 prefer tyranny to anarchy first,
| and tyranny to escape anarchy. There
can be no true liberty without law. any
more than there can be order in chaos,
| or health saturated with disease.
have confidence in my country-men.
have less confidence in some who ap.
preciate the opportunity our free insti
tutions secure but fail utterly to appre-
ciate the responsibility that freedom
| imposes. But l know / stand in the
presence of
Hearts that are constant and pure,
| Hearts that are loyal and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best viii come back to you.