The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1903-09-17

My Fellow Citizens: In what more
noble task can a citizen engage than
in presenting to his neighbors his con-
Hictions upon political questions or
upon legislation which his government
may be about to enact?
While it may be true that the pros
perity Of our country does not depend
entirely upon statutory enactment, yet,
It goes without dispute that great
deal Of the misery and unhappiness OF
a people can be traced to injudicious
legislation.
1t has been frequently stated that
we have too much law, and it NAV
indeed be true The less the citizen
is governed the more apt he is to be
natural and just! yet, the peace, dig.
nifty and good order of society demand
that laws be enacted and enforced for
the good of the common veal. Society
made up of all classes and conditions,
would not long exist and social order
would soon pass away if man were not
restrained in some way and form, and
therefore organized society is a neces-
sity.
The highest duty of common
wealth is to promote as far as in It's
power lies. the. happiness and pros
zparitt the people he Il greatest
duty a citizen owes the state is to
obey it's mandates, be true to its insti-
tutions and laws, and worthy of the
mantle 1t throws around about him
These rules and regulations are ap-
proved by all and meet the hearty
endorsement of the citizen himself
These are not questions of debate.
Political parties do not divide on such
wholesome doctrine. 1t is after society
is organized and questions are pre-
scented that vitality affect the advance
ment of the country that political
organizations participate, and the eiti-
zen discusses the real province Of
governmental powers.
The splendid institutions of our
country today are the outgrowth OF
this discussion OF questions vitality
affecting the development of our coun-
try. When people cease to take an
interest in public matters, when they
refuse to discuss with one another the
important issues affecting their inter
est, then indeed are we passing away
from the fundamental idea of free
government and we are then permit
ting those who have not the interest
of the body polite to govern and rule.
When the citizens of the United
States, the most sturdy and heroic
ever produced, the most honest and
Intelligent today known, who love
their country and her interests as they
do their own life, who gave to the vel
fare of our nation all that men could
give-when they cease to be interest
ed in affairs vitality affecting their
own welfare then indeed may the
friends of humanity the world over
have cause for alarm.
Citizenship the Foundation of Liberty.
The citizenship Of this country, in
one hundred years Of national exist
ence, have proven that they are the
foundation of human liberty. This
was gained, not by permitting others
to do their thinking-not blindly fol-
lowing the dictates of any party, but by
each citizen himself, becoming and
remaining part Of an organized force
and being true to hts convictions upon
the issue about to be enacted into law.
1t is indeed an honor to be a citizen
Of a republic formed and governed as
ours. citizenship, with us. means
sovereignty, and the sovereignty Of
The American people Is and must re-
main unqusstioned. The men at the
head Of affairs In q republican form
ct government must at all times re-
spond to the wishes Of the people. The
kings Of the American republic are be-
fore me at this hoar. They are worthy
q every tribute that can bs given.
The honesty and intelligence that at
al times beam in their countenances
IL not for the advancement of selfish
interest, not for the promotion OF
some object that would be to their
individual gain and detriment to
their fellowmen, but for the promotion