Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-07-08
XXI NATIONS PERILs.

The o seriously we consider the
duties we owe ourselves in the dis
charge OF the franchise vested in the
American citizen, the more likely are
We to use this great privilege in a
matter calculated to advance the in
stitutions upon which the Republic is
founded, and thus maize it impossible
for the American Republics endur-
ance to be assured.
When We remember that this Is the
last experiment in the direction Of
the establishment of a Republic and
realize that all other such efforts have
been failures absolutely, it is natural
for every true American to think well
of the value of his franchise, and
weigh carefully the importance Of its
use.
AS suggested the thought that this
is the last opportunity that will proba-
bly, ever be offered liberty loving
people of this world TO establish a
Republic, a government in which the
people themselves are the soverigns
and masters, naturally suggests that
the fewest possible mistakes ought TO
be permitted to creep into the Fabric
of the government, as illustrated by
those chosen tO-make or execute the
laws under which we are governed.
It has long been the boast of The
proud American that our Republic is
founded upon a basis so broad and
carefully knit, so thick and solid in its
construction, so enduring, that all the
assaults of it's enemies from within or
without are harmless to mar it, sur
face or Jar its compact. All hope this
is true, but there is a law as old as the
world itself, which suggests that the
same power which constructs may
destroy, and it is certainly worthy of
most earnest care on the part of eve
ry citizen to see that every safe guard
be thrown around our Republic and
all its minor institutions to prevent a
divergance fromthe original intentions
of its founders from being overthrown.
whatever may be the eonhdenee Of
the most hopeful member of the ma
TONS citizenship, the fact remains
that we are from time to time stand
ing in the mouth Of customs dirametrl
cany in opposition to that higher idea
Of public service suggested by the
Constitution and contemplated by
every lover OF the Republic.
OF all these threatening Influences
there lie probably lone which promise
such decaying inroads as the trend
lately inaugnrated in some of thu
more densely populated sectionI
uuder the title of so-called business
politics. Commerciallsm in govern
ment affairs.
This Obstructive trend, while it 'haI
been confined to that great section Q
che nation dominated by the Republi
can party, under the dictatorship Of on
Mr.. Mark Hanna for the past eigh
years, 10 whom may be accredited ri
glariug departure from 3 free and IN
trammeIed franchise, Is ike the gath
ering storm upon the mountain TOP
1t gathers force rapidly al the els
ments around It's center are attracted
and widens in its power until no SEQ
ton in the course of it's travel q fee
safe from it's fury. While the soutl
has always remained free Of it's touch
aud it is probable that her people VII
ever repulse the custom, yet the
must either stamp out the tendenc.
toward its growth, or expect to mt
some pretty bad men landed into pos
itions of power through the inhuencI
Of this Commercial political policy.
Mississippi ia apparently the nrs