The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-05-22

cultural Hall ]. C. MOORE F. F.
G.. r. CoRpELL. Recorder
ID. W. SNoDGRAss, Treas.
The Patriots of America held very
interesting meeting Wednesday night at
their hall. 1t was well attended both
by members and outsiders. The speak
ers acquitted themselves with credit and
doubtless all present went away feeling
they had been benefited and had learned
something by coming out.
Mr.. E. S. Smith in very able man
ner explained the preamble to our con,
stitution, showing the reason why
reforms are necessary to bring about a
higher civilization among the people.
The Patriots will hold an open meet
ing next Wednesday night at their hall 4,
at which time short biographical
sketch of our four model patriots will be
given and discussed by speakers selected
by the first patriot. Afterward the
lodge will hold an executive session for
the transaction of lodge business. The
public is invited to attend these meetings
as the order is intended to educate the
people to think and act for themselves
on all questions of government.
Against the insiduous wiles of for
eign influence, believe me, fellow citi-
zens, the jealousy of free people ought
| to be constantly awake. Since history
and experience prove that such influence
| is one of the most baneful foes of re-
publican government the great rule of
| conduct for us in regard to foreign
nations is to have as little political con
nection with them as possible. We
forego the advantages of SO peculiar a
situation as we possess. Why quit our
own to stand upon foreign ground
| Why, by Interviewing our destiny with
that of any part of Europe, entangle
our peace and prosperity in the tolls OF
European ambition, rivalship interests
humOr or caprice? 1t is our true policy
to steer clear of permanent alliances
with any portion of the foreign world
constantly keeping in view that it is
| folly in one nation to look for disinter-
ested favors from another; that it must
pay with portion of its independence
for whatever it may accept under that
character. There can be no greater
error than to expect or calculate upon
real favors from nation to nation. 1t is
an illusion which experience must cure
which just pride ought to discard.
What nobler good in life than that Of
advancing the good of the world, conf
dent Of the right and with heroism to dc
the right in spite of civil denunciation
The Patriots of America knowing nc
creed or sect, no politics or religion save
that of patriotism, the good of the coun
try, its mission not fulfilled today or to
morrow, not ended with the cause OF
silver or gold, not bounded within the
narrow sphere of an idea, but covering
with it's ever increasing influence the
grand principles that underlie this re-
public, that of government of the
people, by the people and for the
people. - What conception more noble -?
1t is the cause of civilization that we
seek, furthering of the principleslthat
are the foundation of all good. Human
greed and avarice, twin demons of bar
barism, have no place in our noble
order. The light that shines from the
altar of truth is a blight to greed, and
where it shines neither want nor woe is
known or felt. Liberty in its broadcast
sense is ours, the bright son of God s
law. like his goodness, the benediction
of well done, good and faithful ser
want, - our reward.
Often the brightest results of civil
cation, nourished in wealth, blasts and
withers the noblest deeds of man. Law
is made obsolete and order turned to
anarchy. tbs mans inhumanity to
man that makes countless millions
mourn. Such could not be if the
grand principles which are the basis of
our noble order controlled. Right
would be might and not its reverse.
Yet, while the grand principles that
underlie the order are the noblest and
looking to the amelioration of the race,
a word from its component parts serves
TO strengthen the whole by compari-
son. The good of the order is the good
of the whole people.
The Patriots of America have five
hundred lodges in existence in the
United States, gradually forming into
veteran battalions for the great struggle
that is coming on the liberty loving
people of this country. 1t is energetic
and incessant in the dissemination of
educational literature matter. The
more strong and well organized lodges
are keeping up local campaign of edu
cation in their respective localities or
furnishing means for work by distrib-
uting literature and furnishing it TO
other localities directed to the education
of the people on the financial question,
and by holding open meetings in their
lodge rooms and placing their speakers
before the people in numerous public
meetings The work thus accomplished
so far has treated politics as a question
of civilization and the object of govern
ment as the promotion of humanity. II
has been land the intention is that it
shall be) political work based on
higher plane than such work is usually
performed. and will be more effectual
in reaching the hearts of the people
than is usual in a political campaign.
Such direct work of the order will result
in numerous converts becoming mem