The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-07-06

/ Ii there are any dangers TO winch tHe
nation is exposed they are internal and
come from tine source that all dangers to
republics come fron-the people themse-
YES; the source from which the only seri-
Gus danger to our national life has come.
| and the che from which enanated The
overthrow of Greece and Rome The
question is, are we in danger, and if
SO from what cause? I am not one of
those inclined to see danger where none
exists; TO imagine attack where none is in
tended. In our internal affairs everything
is calm and serene. There are no clouds
to Indicate that storm may suddenly
break forth and disturb the peaceful con-
dition that exists in the country to-day.
There are now, and always will be evils,
that require correction. Whether they
may grow into such magnitude as to
threaten the perpetuity of the Union de-
ponds on whether they are allowed to re-
main unchecked. 1t is safe to say that the
spirit of patriotism in the country can be
depended upon to prevent any dangerous
results. There will always be grave ques-
tons to engage our thoughtfut attention.
One Of the questions which demands our
serious consideration is the want
of respect for law, which exis.s in
the country. 1t should challenge
the attention of all good citizens.
law which exists in the country. II should
challenge the attention of all good citizens.
1t must be admitted that there has grown
up disposition on the part of some to as
sert if not to feel that the enforcement of
the laws of the country can not safely be
entrusted to those wao are legally authori-
zed to administer them. In my judgment
no more dangerous and threatening evil
exists, than is found in the fact that men
under claim of a high morality and desire
TO preserve order, will take the law into
their own hands and visit punishment
upon those whom they conceive to be
violators of the laws of their country.
Such course tends only in the direction
of anarchy. No self respecting man, in
this country, can find excuse or justitica
ton for voluntary defying the laws of the
state in which he lives, and visiting pun
ishment upon offenders where courts are
open for the trial of persons charged with
crime. 1t is nothing short OF rebellion
against the laws and the authority of his
state. 1t is sowing to the wind only to
reap the ~hirlwind. 1t may be claimed
that because of the laws delay guilty men
sometimes escape punishment, and there
NAV be instances where such is the case.
But whether true or not it offers no excuse
for men taking the law into their own
hands, and thereby becoming criminals.
1t is a sad record this country
presents that, within the last twenty
years nearly thirty-tive hundred people
have been lynched in the United States.
for crimes committed or imagined to have
been committed. You may apply what
| IL.
these !ynchings. but venture the assert
every person taking part in them. This
down in every community. Men should
made to feel, that the only security lies in
our courts and the officers of the law. Our
children should be taught to respect the
laws and to believe in the judgments of
the Courts. This is the only wayto check
these deeds of madness and passion, en-
tirely too common of late.
Another evil which exists is the unfair
treatment of the negro by the white people
of the south. But a few years ago they were
in ondage, and after the War of the Re-
| bellion. by an amendment to the constitu-
/ ton, which is the supreme law of the land.
they we're made citizens and were given
the privilege of the ballot and the right to
hold office There has been for some
time an evident purpose on the part of the
white people of the south to prevent their
enjoying the rights and privileges guaran-
teed them by the constitution. They are
today in greater jeopardy SO far as their
civil rights are concerned than at any time
siuce the close of the Rebellion 1t has
come to light that system of peonage ex-
lists in some of the southern states under
wlaicn many colored people have teen held
in state of practical bondage and slavery
The Lass oil the slave holder. applied in
the days OF slavery has come into use again
There Is no law. no justification or excuse
Tor this condition. 1t is simply the tvran
ny OF one American citizen over an ether
and offers an additional illustration of the
w4nt Of respect for law. am not talbins
politics, but simply speaking in favor oi
right, OF justice and the liberty SO dear tc
every American citizen. The prejudice
against the negro in the south and the de-
NAL of his political rights are nor confined
alone TO one political party. Ii is to be
regretted that feeling is growing among
the white people that this is a white mans
government, and the negro should neither
be allowed to vote or to hold ctIica, and
that the South should have the right tc
solve the question without the advice or
interference of other sections Of the couu.
try. appreciate tbs fact that it lisa grave
| question, and one difficult of solution, in
view OF the fact that 1t has its foundation
in race prejudice. 1t must in the near
future demand serious consideration by
our wsest and most patriotic statesmen
and when settled it must be on basis moi
to do violence to the principles of liberty
and free government
What about the immigration question?
Is IT time to sound note of warming? Is
the republic in danger from this source? |
answer no. provided proper safeguards are
employed. ! answer yes, unless these safe
| guards are furnished. Have we displayed
the highest order of craftsmanship in the
course we have pursued in the past in adj
vertising this country as an asylum for the
oppressed OF all nations? Does it not
seem about time to send word abroad that
our asylum is limited in capacity, at least
until we institute system Of closer in
spection of those who apply for admission
than we have in the past? Has it not
dawned upon us that, in answer to our asy-
lum invitation many people have come
here VINO we're only fit subjects for asylums