The Irish standard., 1900-11-10

American student buried in the clois-
ters of Il seminary and to whom the
outside world was apparently dead.
n H.. "nt his information l never
f1esl I'd 1 dare say his profess
ually in the dark. But
1 do know .ndt the news was correct.
On next Tuesday an election will be
held throughout United States for
the highest Office in the gift of the peo-
pie. There are two candidates for the
presidency, Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. Bry-
an. OF course, only one candidate will
be successful. All the efforts of the
other will have been expended in vain.
Immense outlays Of money will have
been squandered and the oratory of
many distinguished speakers will have
wasted it's sweetness ON the desert
air.
AS there are two candidates in the
field, so there are two great parties in
the country-th Republican and Dem
ocratic party. The existence of parties
is not only useful, but even essential,
in popular and enlightened govern
ment like ours. Where there are no
parties, or where one party is too weak
and insignificant to present formida-
bic barrier to the other, the dominant
party will revel in power, and is liable
to run to excess. But where both par
ties are almost equally divided, as is
the case with us, one party will watch
the other; it will hold up to public
criticism and condemnation the short
comings and official misdemeanors Of
the ruling power. 1t will compel the
dominant party to mend it's ways, or
it will seek redress by driving it's lead
ers from office in a coming election.
No citizen should be drone in the
social hive. No man should be an in
different spectator of the political and
civic elements which are occurring
around him. AS we are all equally
protected in our person and property
by the strong arm of the government,
we should take a personal, loyal and
vital interest in the nations welfare.
The more intelligent and influential
you are, the greater should be your
concern in public affairs. For if cul-
tivated and virtuous men withdraw
from all participations in national, or
state, or municipal elections, the gov
ernmcnt of the commonwealth will be
left in the hands of incompetents and
demagogues.
Vote then on Tuesday for the can
didate of your choice. And as you are
guided by your conscientious Judgment
in the selection of your candidate, you
should give to your neighbor, who diff
fers from you, due credit for being ac-
tuated by the like honorable motives.
Do not imagine that the country will
go to perdition if your favorite is de-
feated. And let not your opponent in
dulge in the pessimistic notion that we
shall witness a revolution and a So
cial upheava if his candidate is not
elected.
For my part, whatever may he the
result of the presidential election, 1
have an abiding faith in the perpetuity
of our republic. I have an unbounded
confidence in the good sense and pa
triotism of the American people. They
love the constitution. They cherish
our political and civic institutions.
They revere the fathers of the coun-
try. The illustrious founders Of the
nation, though they be dead, live by
their writings and example. Their
light still shines upon us. Their voice
is still heard in the alnd.
BY the chart which they have left
us, and by the aid of divine Providence,
| the ship of state will be safely guided
through all time amid lowering clouds
and troubled seas, between the scylla
of absolutism and despotism and the
charybdis Of anarchy and socialism.
And, thanks to God, from the foun-
dation of the republic our chief rulers,
whatever may have been their occa-
sional errors of judgment, have always
been actuated by patriotic motives and
a solemn sense of duty in the govern
ment of the nation. And even had
they been disposed to lead the coun-
try from the path of political rectitude,
they would be debarred from 80 doing
by the constitutional checks and safe
guards which confronted them on ev-
cry side
The nation has passed through many
trying ordeals during the century
which is drawing to Il close, and has
survived them all. The American peo-
pie are as fruitful in resources as now,
and will be as resourceful in the future
as they were in past generations, and
with the blessings of Providence they
will be equal to every emergency that
may arise. In the language of Tully,
| and with more confidence than in
spired him, we can say. THE republic
not to be despaired Of"
God grant that my fondest hopes
tay be realized, that our beloved re
| Sblic may live forever. May she cor
nue. to be a light to the world, thu
hampton of civil and political free