The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-06
Leads all North Carolina Dailies i'm News and Circulation

these evils are being discussed. The press
is power for good in this warfare, and.
except in the storm of a political cam
paign American newspapers are disposed
to throw their influence on the side of
truth and right. There is a work to be
done here by the schools and universities
of our land. They should give instruc-
tion in the general principles of govern
ment, foster independence in action, and
cultivate spirit OF patriotism that rises
above party. The Independent voter holds
an important place. in a democratic gov
ernment This vote must come from the
educated classes and must be used to
threaten the supremacy of a corrupt par
ty. An independent vote is especially
needed where one political party is over
whelmingly in CONTROL In such commu-
mites there is MOI opportunity for free
discussion, no attrition of opposing prin-
clples, no stimulus TO the reigning party
to select the besu possible candidates.
Such vote is now needed in the South
where the political freedom Of a gem
tloman has meant freedom only to do the
dictates OF one POLITICAL party. Independ-
ent republicans arelneed in the East and
independent Democ1 bats in the South
Another important task is the educa-
ton 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 steady
development OF laws for the protection
OF the individual yoter.s The power of the
humblest citizen cannot be taken from him
by force or fraud. The strength of the,
people is growing and that strength must
be controlled by Intelligence and virtue.
Note the large number involved; note
the commercial IMPORTANCE of this class
Of citizens. All accumulated wealth is
daily entrusted to the hands of labor. A
million consciencess must work to pro-
tect the interests Of railroad capitalists,
and lives must be daily sacrificed to
make sure the interest on stocks and
bonds. This part of pur population is con-
stantly in a condition of unrest That
they have not bound themselves together
politically in the past is no proof that
they will never do sp. When the laboring
man seeks to carry his cause by power
rather than by strikes, democratic gov
ernment will stand its severest test. The
present membership of all labor organi-
cations is only two millions. In 1892
the Peoples Party gave more than one
million votes for its candidate as Presi-
dent of the United States, while the plu-
rality of the candidate elected was less
than four hundred thousand. Henry
George, as candidate of the United Labor
Party, polled more votes in 1896 for may
or of New York than Theodore Roosevelt.
We have neglected our duty toward this
class of citizens and have turned them
over to the socialist and demagogue. Woe
be to society, woe be to our government,
when the masses of the people become
convinced that property is robbery, that
confscatiOn is just, that revolution is
only the Fastening OF the millennium. So
cial life is a unit: We are our brothers
keeper and we must keep him true and
just for our own sake, if not for his.
Little time is left for the discussion of
the best means of accomplishing this task,
but there is work here for every in
strumentality. The press must spread
the truth with favor to no class and no
party. The church must preach a gospel
of love manifested in deeds of kindness
and justice. Universities must teach the
mutual dependence and common interests
of labor and capital proclaiming the law
of love and human brotherhood. Univer-
sity settlements must Illustrate the
teaching of thoughtful men and show to
those in the humble walks of life that not
by legislation, not by violence, but by
industry, economy, fidelity, sobriety and
intelligence, the greatest personal good can
be achieved. Capital must recognize it's
obligations to the working man and that
this obligation is not discharged in full
by the payment of agreed wages. The
common schools must provide an educa-
tion universal and practical instruction
must be furnished for mans ethical ma
ture and it must not be forgotten that
habits of virtue are of more value than
all education besides. Conditions of free
dom were laid down 1000 years ago by
one who gave all he had for the world
and who still teaches us that
''The truth alone can make us free"
One of the peasantest social occasions
in the history of the University was the
reception Tuesday night in the Commons
Hall rendered to students and visitors
by President Venable and wife, and the
other members of the faculty with their
wives 1t was attended by hundreds was
delightfully."- pleasant, and lasted until a
late hour. Elegant refreshments were
served and the music was enhancing A
happier company and a more delightful
occasion could not be imagined.