The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-10-11
The United States 400 Years From Now.
Written for the MESSENGER

Wrlbtcn IOr tne h1ESSEHGEh
Does history repeat itself :?
We need not repeat the question.
Only the student knows this fact
to be too true.
We as nation have reached
the pinnacle of fame, the highest
point of Republicanism that it is
possible for nation to reach.
Just now we are standing upon
the brink of the precipice that
Rome stood upon centuries ago.
Just how near we can draw the
comparison remains to be seen.
While we are living in an age
more enlightened by education
and invention, no government
possessed clearer views, truer
principles than the Republic
Rome.
When she framed her consti-
tuition, elected her senators and
consuls, or representatives, she
stepped out upon the broad plat
form of Republicanism-a Gov
vernment for the people and gov
erned by the people.
In the course of a few years
the government fell into the
hands of the money men; taxes
were levied upon the people in
order to meet the Indebtedness
of the government; gradually
those broad principles were
dropped and Rome, once pure,
started on a downward course.
Territory after territory was
added to the government. Gov
ernors were appointed in order
to keep peace in the provinces,
and q short time such offices
were considered the best means
by which a man could acquire
immense wealth. "A man APP
pointed to fill such an Office could
leave Rome pauper, and in the
course of a few years return
worth millions" Fraud. The
people were bribed, they thought
lnothing of selling their vote.
with all his wealth, there
were but two things which the
Roman noble could buy-politic-
al power and luxury" "And
the poor Roman had but one
thing he could sell-his vote,
consequently with the rich, able
only to buy political power, and
with the poor, able only to sell
his vote. the elections once pure,
became matters of annual bar
gain and sale between the can
didates and the voters"
Just so now with the Ameri-
can of today, principle cuts no
figure whatever. The Almighty
Dollar, and that alone plays the
most important factor in the
great game of politics. ''Give
me few dollars; yes, even pen
nies, and I am willing to cast my
vote for the first candidate that
comes along"
"What is principle to me ? 1t
will not put bread into the
mouths of my little ones, neither
will it clothe the wife of my
youth. l and my family are
starving-away with principle. 7"
Just as the Roman mobiles stood
ready to purchase the vote of the
poor Roman, SO we see men of
the present day, ready with in
fiuence, well filed purses and
bribes of offices to purchase the
vote of the seller.
Mark you well the state of the
Roman government at this time,
then compare it with our own
government
What kind of men fill our Sen
atorial and Representative
chairs ? Are they men that will
stand firm and true to the prin-
! ciples of true Republic +?
Look at the States, take each
one separately, can the same be
said of such officers /?
t Visit the different counties,
who is it that is framing oul
laws, seeing that justice is being
granted ?
Are men and women firm and
I. true, models of morality. the
same as Washington, Jefferson,
Lincoln and others, filling sucf
I places today I? just as Rome
!. began her downward course, Sc
| the United States is swinging
: her way. AS Rome stretched
4 out her hand for more territory
i so the United States has done.
!, When Rome took upon her
! self the responsibility of gov
: erning provinces outside of wha
$ had been her former jurisdiction
t just then trouble began, jus
r then it cost Rome immense suns
2 of money in order to keep or re
y store peace. Great sums o
y money were necessary in orde
y to furnish soldiers for theS