The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-02-25
The feeling that the United States is

al present subjected to crucial test of
| her institutions seems to pervade the air.
There is no denying that disintegratlng
forces have long been operative, and that
a period of business stsgnation is con-
ducive to uuiun OF all dissatisfied ele-
ments Of society. But whether there
need be any apprehension as to the sta
bility OF our government is hardly war
! ranted by the trend of events. However
| this may be, the present is fitting time
| to properly meet the rampant demago-
CUES, who are willing TO SOW the wind to
reap possible harvest from thewhirlwind.
The better element of society should
counteract these aberrant forces which
are seeking to create the impression that
this is an age of disagreement, and
| that the masses are under the iron heels
OF oppressors The liberties OF the per-
pie are as great to-day as they ever were,
and the power of the people for good or
evil has never been equaled. Jefferson
introduced the principle of universal suf-
frage, and Jackson placed tha reins of
| government unreseryedly IN the hands of
the people. Since then ours has been a
| popular government indeed A govern
ment changing its pilots and executive
officers every four years. A government
so thoroughly democratic that if the ship
of state has occasionally sustained slight
injuries the people and their pilots are
responsible.
In some way or other the impression is
abroad that the rich are getting richer
ana the poor poorer, and that the laws
are responsible for this supposed condi-
ton Of things. 1t is a catchy phrase,
ever IN the mouth of the demagogue, and
1t matters little to him that this charge
has been disproyed again and again. He
| lives on dissatisfaction and discomfort,
and is ever ready to fan coal of injus-
tice IN TO contiagration of oppression.
He would not be so successful In stirring
up strife If it we're not that there is come
color to the charge that laws discrinin-
ate In favor of the rich. Corporations are
often conceded privileges of a doubtful
nature. and more often transgress priv
lleges and laws with little fear of punish
| ment. Hydra-headed trusts too often
fail to be reached by laws, and paternal-
ism and class legislation are by no means
extinct. So long as infant industries, a
hundred years old, receive pap from the
government, the people at large cannot
be blamed for holding the opinion that
the government by Its magic touch can
create wealth out of nothing.
But the evils of our government are
not Inherent. They will succumb to
proper correctives, and while the people
as body polite are responsible for every
defect, IN their hands are the remedial
lowers. In general way We may attrib
ute bad legislation of every kind to the
political Incidence of the better elements
OF democracy. The greatest weakness in
our government, both state'and national,
IS the failure to induce the most CONNIE.
tent of our citizens to serve the state or
nation. AS a consequence of this our
laW-maklng bodies are largely composed
OF men of mediocre ability who are thor.
| oughly lnoculated with the doctrine, .to
the vlctors belong the spoils of the en-
envy" What is needed is the active and
hearty cooperation of all intelligent
hlgh-mlnded citizens who are ready to
sacrifice time and substance for the com.
mon veal. When our Legislative halls
contain the best men that the age com.
mands, then will legislation reflect the
best and most progressive thought of the
times, and the true functions OF govern
ment will be realized.
But recognizing the fact that there are
defects IN OR system of law, defects that
may even be deemed serious, there is no
need of alarm for the safety of the basic
PRINCIPLES of our democratic institutions.
These are imbedded in a rock foundation
and will stand the test of time so long as
the desire for freedom does not vanish
from the hearts of men.
Popular education Is diffusing inteIh.
gence which must be productive of good
for the future, Humanity is getting bet
rer every day. Let us remember that our
government is the best that the sun
shines on. Ia the words of the greatest
English statesman of modern times,
The American constitution is the most
wonderful instrument ever produced by
the brain and purpose ct man." Let us
proclaim this truth in such thunder &C
cents that they may reverberate from one
end of the pOptinant To bo o+bo.