The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-07

Shall that form fail which takes with
in its grasp the happiness Of the null
titude and which would promote the
well-being of all: These questions
must be answered by the men and Wo-
men of this generation.
Those who would centraliZe all po-
litical power in the hands of the few
and withdraw it from the many tell
us that the republic is not threatened
with danger and that we are sale.
They congratulate themselves and the
people that we have passed the ex-
detrimental stage and rest on the solid
foundation of experience But wiser
and better men, among whom were
Washington and Lincoln, and a long
line of other illustrious names, have
told us that political authority in
popular government is only safe from
abuse when widely diffused and exer-
cised by the people.
The blessings of liberty cannot be
secured by violence and bloodshed.
AS we oppose the Capitalization OF
power because it is destructive OF the
government, we would oppose anarchy
and lawlessness for the same reason.
Remedies for grievances must be
sought by peaceful means and In law
full ways and by living close to fun
damental principles II those en-
trusted with authority shall abuse 1t
and trample under foot the well
known rights of the people they will
be guilty of high crimes against the
age in which they live for which they
shall he held to answer, and IL those
whose rights are invaded by the abuse
of authority shall fail TO find rem
edy in peaceful channels and at the
ballot box, they, too, shall be held TO
answer for their blunders.
| We live in an age that demands a
zeener insight into public institutions
and public men, and more unselfish
patriotism. 1t is our duty to main
tain high standard of government
and to lay securely the foundation OF
freedom forever.
For many years this was the home
of Abraham Lincoln, the great liber-
ator of race of bondsmen, who gave
| the full measure of his life that the
lowly might be free; and here his
remains lie buried beneath monu-
ment erected to his memory. The ex-
ample of his life is left to his country
and to his countrymen and will in
| fiuence men for good when that monu-
ment shall have crumbled into dust
and have been forgotten.
The two names in American history
that will, in my judgment, last longer
than all others, are those Of Washing
ton and Lincoln, the one the founder,
and the other the preserver, Of his
country. Since Washington and Lin
coin other eminent men have been
called to discharge the duties of high
and responsible public positions and
hace acquitted themselves with credit
| and lasting benefit to the people. But
! the names Of Washington and Lincoln
will shine resplendant on the pages Of
immortal history when others shall
have been forgotten and are sleeping
beneath the accumulated dust Of the
centuries.
My fellow citizens, would not have
you believe that am pessimistic, or
that | see no hope for liberty or for
my country On the contrary, l have
an abiding faith in the saving COM
mon sense of the American people;
and | feel certain that, as they have
resolutely met and successfully solved
every great problem of government in
the past, they will settle this con-
f1ict in the interests of progressive
and constantly expanding civilization
and will lay more deeply and securely
than ever the foundation of political
liberty. And to this end we of this
generation should again dedicate our
lives and labor.