The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-15

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to the flight of the American eagle, and
/ assures US that no tempestuouS weather
can ever tire his wing. Thus many
good and honest men are approached
through their patriotic trust in our free
institutions and immense national re-
sources, and are insiduously led to
condition of mind which will not permit
them to haFbor the uncomfortable
thought that any omission on their
part can check American progress, or
endanger our country's continued de-
velopment. Have we not lived as ma
ton more than a century; and have We
not exhibited growth and achievement
in every direction. that discredit all par
allels in history? After us the deluge.
Why then need we better ourselves and
why disturb ourselves with public af-
fairs.
Those of our citizens who are deIud-
ed by these notions and who allow
themselves to be brought to such
frame of mind. may we'll be reminded
of the good old lady who was wont to
inpressively declare that she had al
ways noticed il she lived until the first
of March she lived all the rest of the
year. 1t is quite likely she built
theory upon this experience which in
duced her with the passing of each of
these fateful days to defy coughs, colds
end consumption and the attacks of
germs and microbes in million forms.
However this may be- we know that
with no design or intention on her part,
there came a first day of March which
passed without her earthly notice.
The Withdrawal of wholesome senti-
mept and patriotic activity from TO
litical action on the part of those who
are Indifferent to their duty, or fool
hardy in their optimism opens the way
for ruthless and unrelenting enemy
of our free institutions The abandon
mcnt of our cOuntry'S watch towers
by those who should be ON guard and
the slumber of the sentinelS who should
never sleep, directly invite the stealthv
approach and the Dillage and loot of
the forces of selfshness and greed.
These baleful enemies of patriotic
effort will lurk everywhere as long as
human nature remains unregenerated.
but nowhere in the world can they ere
ate such desolation as in free America,
and nowhere can they so cruelty de-
stroy mans highest and best asnira-
lions for government. It is use
less for us to blink the fact that or
scheme of government is based uuon
close interdependence of interest ana
purpose among those who make up the
body of our people. Let us be honest
with ourselves. If our nation was
built too much upon senti.-ent. and if
the rules of patriotism and benignity
that were followed in it's construction
have proved too impractical let us
frankly admit it. But if love- of coun
try, equal opportunity and genuine
brotherhood in citizenship are worth
the pains and trials that gave them
birth, and if we still believe them TO
be worth preservation, and that they
have the inherent vigor and beneficence
to make our republic lasting and our
people happy. let US strongly hold them
IN lows and devotion. Then it shall he
gwen US to plainly see that nothing is
more unfriendly to the motives that
underlie our national edifce than The
SelfShneSS and cuDidity that look upon
freedom. and law, and order only as
so many agencies in aid of their de-
signs Our government was made by
patriotic, unselfiSh, sOber-minded men,
Icr the CONT oil or protection of pa
triotic, unSelfsh, and sober minded
people 1t is suited to such a peonle.
but for those who are selfish, corrupt
ana uncatriotic. it is the worst govern
ment on earth. 1t is so constructed
that it needs. fer its successful opera
ton. the constant care and ouid'ng
hand of the peoples abiding faith ana
love; and not only is this unremittins
guidance necessary to keep our ma
tlonal mechanism true to it's work but
the faith and love which sroseot it ara
the best safeguards against selfish
citizenship. Give to our people some
thing that will concentrate their com
mon affection and soticitous care-and
let that be their country's good; give
them a purpose that stimulates thera to
unite IN lofty endeavor-and let that
purpose be demonstration of the s;lf-
ficiency and bene5cence of our popular
rule-and we shall find that in their
political thought there will be no place
Tor the suggestions of sordidness ard
pA1e.
Who will say that this is now our
happy condition? Is not our public life
saturated with the indecent demands of
selfshness? More than this, can any
OF US doubt the existence of still more
odlous and detestable evils which, with
steady cankering growth. are more di-
fectly than all others. threatening our
safety and national life? 1 sneak of the
corruption of our suffrage open and
Notorious of hn 11r4x- 4 =
political places for money. the purchase
OF political favors and privileges, and
the traffic in official duty for personal
gam. These things are confessedly COM
mon. Every intelligent man knows that
they have grown from small beginnings
until they have reached frightfuI propor-
t1ons OF malevolence: and vet respect
aole citizens by the thousands and nun
dreds OF thousands have looked on with
perfect calmness. and with hypocriticaI
cant have declared they are not poll
tlclans or with silly pretensions of faith
ana luck in our strength, have 1anguid-
~ claimed that the country was pros
porous, equal to any emergency and
proof against all dangers.
Resulting from these conditions in a
manner not difficult to trace, wholesome
national sentiment is threatened with
utter perversion. All rtszor miscon-
ceptlons pervade the public thought and
jealousies rapidly taking on the com
plexlon of class hatred, are found in
every OOlISI u the lana. A new mean
ing has been given to national pros
perity. With a hardihood that sarors
of insolence, an old pretext which has
preceded the doom of ancient expert
ments in popular rule is daily ana
hourly dinned in our ears. We are told
that the national splenGor we have built
upon the snowy ventures of speculative,
wealth, is badge of our success. Tn
sharing contentment is enjoined upon
the masses of our people; and they are
invited, in the bare subsistence of their
scanty homes. to periodically rejoice In
their country's prosperity. This is too
unsubstantial an enjoyment of benefits
to satisfy those who have been taught
American equality; and thus has arisen,
by a perfectly natural process, a dis
satisfied insistance upon better distri-
button of the results of our Wanted
prosperity
We now see it's worst manifestation
n the IL Ill