The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-15

to undermine popular faith in the source
or justice; and last, but by no means
least, complaints of imaginary or exag-
gerated shortcomings in our financial pol
lcleS, furnish an excuse for the fippant
exploitation Of all sorts of monetary nos
trumS.
Last to Lose Hope.
81 hasten to give assurance that have
not spoken in a spirit of gloomy pessi-
mism. l shall be the last of all our peo-
pie to believe that the saving grace OF
patriotism among my countrymen is dead
or will always sleep. / know that its
timely revival and activity mean the re-
alization of the Hottest hopes of a free
nation; l have faith that the awakening
cheerful hope for the healing of all the
wounds inflicted in slumber and neglect
Jas In the municipality so in our ma
i'tion, our veal or woe Is made dependent
upon the diSintereSted participation, or
the neglect of good men in public af-
fairs. 1t is time that there should be an
end of self-satisfied qualification. or pre-
tense OF virtue, IN the phrase: i am not
politician and it is time to forbid the
prostitution of the word to a sinister
use.
Every citizen should be politician
enough to bring himself within the true
meaning of the term, as one who concerns
himself with The regulation or govern
ment OF nation or state for the preser-
walton OF its safety, peace and prosper
ity; This is politics in its best sense,
! and this is good citizenship.
II good men are to interfere to make
! political action what ii should be, they
must not suppose they will come upon
an open field unoccupied by an opposing
force. On the ground they have neglected
they VIII find host of those who engage
In politics for personal ends and selfish
purposes, and this ground cannot be taken
without a hand-to-hand conflict. The
attack must be made under the banner
of disinterested good citizenship, by SOL
dlers drilled in lessons of patriotism.
They must be enlisted for life and con-
stantly on duty. AS the Crusaders fought
centuries ago for the recovery of the Holy
Land from infidel possession, so with the
same stubborn zeal must todayS crusa-
ders in the case of good government fight
to recover their holy land from the in
| fidels who would degrade and defile it.
Il speak tonight of something broader
and loftier than party-of a higher law
under whose sanction all parties should
exist and by whose DEGREES all parties
should be judged. / would have the mass
of our voters so constantly impressed by
this law, and so insistent upon its observ-
ance, as to force upon the managers Of
party organizations the necessity and eX-
pediency of its recognition. Within the
limits of this law of patriotic American
good citizenship there is abundant room
for intelligent party activity; but this ac-
tivity must be clean and uncorrupted-
sincere in its intentions, frank in the
declaration of its purposes and honest in
the affairs of the people.
1T is as clear as monday that il the
patriotism of our people is to be aggress-
lively vigorous. and equal to our national
high purpose instead of degenerating to
the level OF a cunning game our good men
In every walk of life must arouse them
selves to consciousness that the safety and
best interests of their country involve
every other interest; and that by service
in the field of good citizenship they not
only do patriotic duty. but in a direct way
save for themselves the share of benefits
due them from our free institutions II orr
business men in their hard struggles for
accumulation will remember these things
and admit their countrys veal to a share
in their struggles; if our scholars and ed
ucators will not only teach patriotism but
will emerge from theoretical conteInpla-
ton, and give proof by their examples
that their lessons mean practical care for
their country; and if in every way possible
our people are reminded of the value Of
the government they hold for themselves
and in trust for their children and are
stimulated to intelligent activity in its
protection, vie may confidently look for
the conditions and results treasured UP in
a divine purpose, and prophesied through
faith in God at out nations birth"