The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-07-11

1
University, in his address at Chapel
Hill, gave forth the following striking
thoughts and suggestions:
The strongest argument yet ad
duced for stability of Democratic gov
srnment is to be found in the history
of the United States We have failed
in some points, but the success we
have met with has added a new glory
to human effort. The founders of
our government were not desirous Of
establishing a socialistic state such as
was outlined by Rousseau in his
Social Contract 1t was their aim
to establish government with
strength to endure and grow, flexible
yet fixed Ours is a government by
the people, but not by all the people.
We believe in Liberty, but only in
liberty to do the right. We boast OF
equality, but recognize that this i.
legal fiction, that in reality there is
no equality in mental attributes and
moral forces.
"No government can administer it.
self Wise leaders are demanded to
carry out all great purposes. A CEN
tury OF noble leadership has changed
the Prussia of Napoleon's day to the
United Germany of today. Two or
three men have made over again the
map Of Italy. Great leaders are need
ed in Republic to serve as point of
concentration for the will Of the peO
pie. The majority of opinions will
be taken at second hand and sound
opinions must be furnished for this
purpose. Political parties are essen
tial to the popular government, but
party leaders should be men Of integ-
rity aud intelligence. Within the
last generation there has been an un
fortunate development in our system
of party govern Machines con-
| troll political movements and destroy
all vital issues Even business inter
ests must be regulated by party
machinery and Judges must speak
party DEGREES. Representative gov
ernment will be overthrown by its
own children unless this tendency
can be thwarted, 1t is a hopeful sign
that these evils are deing discussed.
The press is a power for good in this
warfare, and, except in the storm OF
|
papers are disposed to throw their in
huence on the side Of truth and right.
There is work to be done here by
the schools and universities Of our
land. They should give instruction
in general principles of government,
foster independence in action, and
cultivate spirit of patriotism that
rises above party. The independent
voter holds an important place in the
Democratic government. This vote
must come from the educated classes
and must be used to threaten the SUI
premacy of corrupt party. An in
dependent vote is especially Leeded
where one political party is over
whelmingly in control. In such COM
munities there is no opportunity for
free discussion, no attrition of oppos-
ing principles, no stimulus to the
, reigning party to select the best pos
sible candidates. Such vote is now
, needed in the South where the politi-
} cal freedom of gentleman has meant
J freedom only to do the dictates OF one
political party. Independent Repub-
lcans are needed in the East and
= independent Democrats in the South.
\ ..Another important task is the edu-
, cation for citizenship of the mass OF
voters on whom the ultimate political
power rests. Issues of the utmost
importance hang on our elections.
' With this increase of responsibility
= there is also a steady development OF
, laws for the protection of the individ-
5 ual voter. The power of the humblest
S citizen cannot be taken from him by
Y force or fraud. The strength of the
t people is growing and that strength
, must be ortroIled by intelligence
5 and virtue. Note the large number
involved; note the commercial i'm
: portance Of this class of citizens. All
accumulated wealth daily entrusted
: to the hands of labor. A million con-
q sciences must work to protect the in
s terests of railroad capitalists, and
lives must be daily sacrificed to make
e sure the interest on stocks and bonds.
: This part of our population is con-
/ stantly in condition OF unrest.
/ That they have not bound themselves
e together politically in the past is nc
T. proof that they will never do so.
t When the laboring nan seeks to carry
r his cause by power rather than by
strikes, Democratic government will
t stand its severest test. In 1892 the
e Peoples party gave more than one
: million votes for their candidate as
: President of the United States, while
n the plurality of the candidate elected
!. was less than four hundred thousand
: Henry George, as candidate OF the
q United Labor party, controlled more
o votes in 1896 for Mayor of New York
o than Theodore Roosevelt. We have
: neglected our duty toward this class
V of citizens and have turned them
# over to the socialist and demagogue
: Woe be to society, woe be to our gov
ernment, when the masses of the peo
O pie become convinced that proty
is robbery, that confiscation is lust
n that revolution is only the Fastening
. O. the millennium. Social life is S
= unit: we are our brothers keeper ano
Y we must keep him true and just fol
q our own sake, if not for his.
O Little time is left for the discus
5 sion of the best means of accomplish
$ ing this task, but there is work here
@ for every instrumentality. The pres:
l. must spread the truth with favor II
n no class and no party The churci
= must preach Gospel Of love, mani
/. tested in deeds of kindness and jus
J. tice. Universities must teach th'
o mutual dependence of the common in
= terests OF Ia Dor and capital, proclaim
g ing the law Of love and human
brotherhood. University settlement
n must illustrate the teaching o
V thoughtful men and show to those il
a the humble walks of life that, not b,
: legislation, not by violence, but b!
industry. economy, fidelity. sobriet,,
r and intelligence, the greatest per
g sonal good can be achieved. Capita
II seaoonsua ohlinofinna To fhj