The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-23

| that party which has made this country
of ours fit to live in. That party whose
| principles and teachings have ever been
| for the upbuilding, advancing and improv
ing of the human race. That party which
has stricken the shackles from the limbs
| of four million human beings, and thus
liberated both the white and black race
| from the curse of human slavery; that
party which has wiped from the Statute
Books of this country that loathsome.
foul blot the fugitive slave law, and
blotted from the map of the world the
Infamous Mason and Dixon line That
party which in all of it's history has never
taken a backward step. has never made
mistake. 1 have nothing unkind to say
Of Democrats, l have known some great
big hearted, broad minded, patriotic men
who were Democrats but such are the
exception and not the rule. AS a crowd,
taken collectively. they. don't round up
well. I do not despise a man because he
has the leprosy of Democracy but 1 des-
pise Democracy because it has the man.
The Democratic party has many similar
features to Chancery Jurisdiction, as it
rests for a foundation largely on fraud
accident and mistakes. Our friend Dooley
says that history always vindicates the
views of a Democrat. but never does it
in his life time: but the trouble is nothing
is ever officially true until the Republic
cans see it. But in addressing myself to
my subject this evening it is no part of
my purpose to extol Republicans or abuse
Democrats. The Republican party needs
no eulogy at my hands. Its works speak
for it. 1t is only necessary TO apply the
Biblical test, BY their fruits you shall
know them" And 1 have no disposition
on this or any otner occasion to abuse or
malign Democrats; / was taught when
l was a small boy that it was highly i'm
proper and in every way bad taste to
throw stones at a hearse.
American Citizenship, how hippantly
do We use the term. How thoughtly does
it fall from our tongue. When used by
the average man. in ordinary conversa-
ton how little does he realize the honor.
greatness and dignity of the term; how
much liberty is in it, how much freedom
of thought feeling. purpose and actions;
how great sacrifices in past ages have
been made TO attain that high and lofty
estate of manhood and moral responsible
ity. that advanced state OF existence
where man is capable Of self government
American Citizenship means American
Sovereignty. a country where men govern
themselves. where it may be truly said
;hat under God every man is the archi-
tect of his own fortune. untrammelled by
humble or obscure birth or surroundings.
unhampered by family tradition. or his
Notwithstanding the restraining influence
Of these twin jailers, low birth. and iron
fortune. the daring mind can break it
self loose from its surroundings, grow.
expand and aspire TO the unlimited pos
sibilities OF the future. But with tn
great grand and growing benefits of
American Citizenship. there comes grave
and important responsibilities. While all
are allowed 10 share in the benefits AMI
blessings OF this glorious government OF
ours. none are permitted 70 escaEe its
responsibilities. As all laws. all social
regulations and the very government it
self is made by the representatives Of the
people, so the people who choose these
representatives are responsible for the
laws, rules and government they make
AS by an immutable law OF gravItation.
no stream can ever rise higher than its
sourse. so. BY an equally urchangelble
law. no law and no government. can ever
be better. more moral. or purer than tn
people by whom it is made. Al laws AMI
all governments are bat the reflex action
of the moral sentiment and temper Of
the people. Then how careful should W.
be 10 see to ii that the sentiment and
moral training OF the ris;ug generation
shah be such as 10 secure Us the bes.
and highest type Of citizenship. ard 20
guarantee 20 future generations the per
petuity Of our present be1efcent govern
ment That this grave and iuupcrtant
responsibility vas fully understood and
appreciated by those grand men who
framed for Us that grand document. the
Constitution OF the United States. Is mani
fest BY the many wise. safe sn5 bene-