Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-11-14
MORAL COURAGE
NEEDED FOR PRESERVATION OF
OUR GOVERNMENT.

Speech Delivered by Hon. William J. Bryan
At Banquet rendered ex-senator Charles
A. Towne on the Eve Of His Removal
From Duluth to New York.
Buckley says that civilization is meas
ured by the mastery OF the human mind
over the forces of nature. In celebrating
this proposition he declares that the
moral element in civilization is insignifi-
cant as compared with the intellectual
element. The reason which he gives is
that the same moral principles have been
generally accepted throughout the ayes,
and he argues from this that the differ
ence between races, nations and civiiza.
ton must be accounted for by differences
in mental development. His error, for !
believe that lie errs, is due to the fact
that he coniuses the acceptance Of a
moral principle, whereas nations are to
be measured, not according to the moral
principles admitted to be true. but accord
ing to the moral principles which govern
the lives of the people. If you will take
the worst thief that can be found in the
pennitentiary and place him beside the
best man you know, and then question
the two, you will find that both admit
the binding force Of the Ten Command.
ments. What is the difference, then,
between them? 1t is this, that one puts
his moral principles into everyday prac.
tice and is known as an honest and up.
right man, while the other suspends his
moral principles in moments of tempta-
ton and becomes criminal.
A careful study OF the causes that have
led to the decline Of nations and to the
decay of races will, I think. convince an
impartial student that the moral element
is not only important, but paramount in
a nations life. Take, for instance, the
fall of the Roman empire-it was not due
to lack OF intellect or to lack OF the ply
steal qualities. 1t was the Roman heart,
not the Roman head, that went astray !;
and it is as true today as it ever has been
in the past that there can be no real or
permanent national growth unless that
national growth is accompanied by the
development of national conscience and
national character.
The nation is but collection Of indi-
viduals and reflects the character OF the
people. As the moral element is essential
to a nation SO it is to an individual.
There is no danger Of our becoming in
different to physical excellence, nor is it
likely that we shall place low estimate
upon the development Of the mind, but
in our rush for wealth and material adj
vantage there is danger that we shall
ignore the most important part OF man
the heart.
Plutarch said that men entertained
three sentiments concerning the gods
that they feared them because OF their
strength, admired them for their wisdom,
and loved them for their justice. Men
entertain towards their fellows the same
sentiments which, according to Plutarch,
the ancients entertained towards their
deities. Force may excite fear and genius
may arouse admiration, but We only love
the heart that loves. Justice-the fruit
of love, is the element winch gives
strength and permanence to organized
government. So important is the mora
element in the individual that no mar
has ever won a lasting place in the affec'
tions of the people who has not in hit
life given evidence OF a broad and deer
affection for his fellows. 1t may be
tyuthfully written upon every monument
reared by grateful hands TO the memor,
of great man: 1--WE loved him because
he first loved u.s."
OF the qualities OF the heart, mora
courage is one Of the most essential; it il
the shield that protects the other virtues
it is the fortress that guards integrity
The image of the Creator is never seer
more clearly stamped upon the brow o
man than when Gods creature stands
erect, proclaiming the conviction OF ar
honest heart, and ready either to live fol
them or to die for them. There ii
strength and inspiration in the presence
OF such an one.
1t is sometimes difficult to select sub
iect for an after.dinner speech, but wher
received an invitation to participate II
tha farewell BANQUET rendered by thu
peopls of Duluth to their distinguished
townsman and my friend, the sentiment
"Moral Courage" at once occurred to me
for he has given signal evidence OF thu
possession OF that manly quality which
makes him welcome defeat rather thar
surrender that Which to him seems right
We admire the physical vigor and thu
attractive graces Of our guest; we admire
the clearness OF his intellect, the force
his logic and that fund OF information