The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-15

Mr.. Hay quoted from Mr.. Lincoln's
speeches in the famous Llncoln-Douglas
debate, and from his Gettysburg address,
to emphasize the devotion Of the great
American to the principles of the Declar-
alton of independence. He said Lincoln
had advised us to 'splant ourselves
squarely upon the great charter OF our
liberties, never to permit that one word
or precept should be erased or surrend-
ered.' He found the best interpretations
of Lincoln's message in the concluding
sentences Of his Gettysburg address,, from
which he quoted the words SO famlHar TO
all Americans, exhorting them to be ded1-
Gated to that unfinished work, that great
task to which the honored dead at Gettys-
burg had devoted their lives ''that this
nation under God shall have new birth
of freedom, and that government of the
people, by the people, and for the people
shall not perish from the EARTH These
words, he said, will live, live so long as
Americans have pride in exalted pre-
eminence, so long as liberty has avotary
in any and-live as a warning and a.
stimulus to renewed eXertions, the
noblest cause that commands the energy
of man. The highest purpose, my coun-
trymen, which can go out from this meet
ing tonight is that this nation, under
that in the dawn of the new century the
pride and light of mans highest aims
shall cast its rays far into the future"
Mr.. Hay continued: ID .....
Political DespOtism Is Past.
Tyranny and despotism are not the product,
nor the concomitant of any age. They know
no cline or race; they speak all languages,
have 1ourished from the beginning and will
flourish until vice and sin shall be no more.
They are born of the union Of self1shness and
| strength, and challenge to-day as they have
through all the past, the vigilance and cour-
! age OF mankind. Political despotism is a
! thing Of the past; let us hope that it is gone
| forever. Kings reign now in lenency and
| moderation, and the tendency In all govern
| ments is towards greater personal liberty fo1
the citizens or the subject The sun scarce
| shines upon a race of slaves; slavery, at least
under the forms of law. no longer exists
| among civilized people. The banner of free
dom has been carried farther and planted
| higher since the declaration of independence
| was given to the world than in all time
| before.
While we may felcitate ourselves upor
this splendid progress, let us not thereby BIZ
| lulled into the dangerous belief that the cause
| for which Lincoln 1abored and gave, up hi
! life is safe. that the banner of freedom ii
| beyond the reach of the tyrant and the des
pot. Such a belief can have its source onl,
| in an imperfect understanding of present con
ditions. In the day Of political despotisn
| the Gays of slavery the Shareholders, the land
ed gentry, looked down upon the tradesme1
as beneath them. 10
J Now all ds different The twentieth centur!
dawns at the flood tide of a commercial era
The great strong men of this age are engaged
in commerce. not in politics, and from thei
vantage ground they look downward, not up
ward, at the rest of mankind. The despotism
therefore, which threatens the present and til,
| future, is commercial, not political; but II !
! should once become firmly fastened upon us
| it will be more difficult to unhorses than an!
! political despotism that ever $bestrode thu
| necks of men. For years it has been en-
| trenchng itself behind the doctrine of vested
rights, that salntary principle of our law 81
dear to the Anglo Saxon race, and any at
| tempt to overthrow it is easily made to seen
1 a raid upon the foundations of society. LIE
u.s. however, not be confusedJ It is not legiti
Innate commerce. nor the accumulation o
wealth in ITSELF which constitutes this threat
/ ened danger Commerce has been the hand
maid Of religion and education in carrying thu
| benefits OF the highest civilization to the re
hottest parts of the earth. In our country 1
thas followed. and sometimes led, the mission
airy in his westward march, subdued and re
| claimed the wilderness and builded on it
/ splendid empire, fit monument to Its genius
and achievements. Under its inspiration tn.
| thirteen discordant colonies have become 2;
| mighty nation of worldwide influence ant
| power which, from its unique position, stand
to-day without rival among the nations o
/ the earth Nor yet is it against accumulatet
/ wealth that would utter a word Of warning
All honor to the man who, by industry. ener
1 gy and intelligence, has amassed a fortune
In the great majority of cases he has beer
1.-The bone and sineW of the community whers
!. he has lived. and his success has been 1T
success Many such men leave the world ia