The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-07-07
Senator Aliens speech Is as fol
lows:
THE CONFLICT OF TWO CIVILI
ZATIONS

1t would be impossible to fix the
time when the mind first conceived the
idea of freedom and when the heart
first desired its realization. In moth
ing has the memorable law OF evolu-
ton manifested itself more clearly
than in political government. Every
age has had new conditions to meet
and important public questions to set
tie, and the aspirations for freedom,
having their impelling cause In the
desire OF the human heart for better
and higher social and religious con-
ditions, have in some cases changed
the worlds map by armed revolution
Interesting as the consideration OF
this question would be, it is not i'm
portant on an occasion like this to
speak of it at length. We have now
to consider the causes that gave rise
to the republic and the steps neces-
sary to be taken to preserve political
liberty on this hemisphere to our
selves and to our posterity.
History gives us indistinct glimpses
OF Greek and Roman aspirations TO
freedom and of the struggle Of the
Moorish settlements and the spas
modic uprising of other peoples
against kingly power, but these were
OF temporary growth and fell under
the iron heel of despotism almost as
soon as established. 1t was reserved
to the Anglo-Saxon race, OF which
we are members, to first formulate
definite ideas of political liberty, and
from these beginnings, like the grain
of wheat that lay dormant for two
thousand years in the grave of an
Egyptian mummy, liberty was planted
in fruitful soil, and, like leayen, is
spreading it's blessings to the peoples
OF the civilized world. AS one stupe-
fled by powerful drug, the race, hay
ing no thought of independence, slept
and dreamed under the blighting in
fluence of the glamor and glitter and
display of feudal despotism and OF
regal wealth and power, until the
first faint rays of duty to God and
of the Christians hope, fell on their
darkened minds through the illum-
ined and inspired pages OF holy writ.
The opening struggle between two
widely differing and radically antag-
onistic forms of civilization, resulted
In armed conflict, at Marston Moor
and Nasbey in 1914 and 1645, between
the Cavaliers under Charles l. and
Prince Rupert, and the Puritans under
Lord Fairfax and oliver Cromwell.
The Cavaliers, hot-headed, warlike
and reactionary people, who believed
in the divine right of kings to rule
aided by an aristocracy, sought to
fOrtify and buttress the crown In its
despotism and wicked attempts to sub
jugate those who strove against
tyranny and spoilation and for equal
rights.
No we'll defined notion of political
liberty then existed among the masses
and they accepted the dogma that
they were by nature destined to a life
of seryitude Men, women and chill
dren were bound to the soil and
passed with a conveyance Of its title.
The ultimate outcome of this Strug
gle in England, was the restoration OF
Charles III. and the expatriation of a
large body of Puritans to Holland, and
finally to Massachusetts Bay, where,
as Pilgrims, they established pop
ular government. Another phase of
the deadly conflict between royalty
and democracy for the ascendency was
to take place in the new world, and
from the landing of the Pilgrims TO
the proclamation of American indie
pendence during which time the col
onial settlements spread and multi
piled, the Puritans were, by reason of
their isolation and the necessity for
self-preservation and social unity,
compelled to adopt republican form
of government,
pass in silence the long but deeply
interesting period between the land
Ing of the Pilgrims in 1920. to July
4. 1776. save TO recall the unbroken
train OF abuses. the cruel navigation
laws. the Boston port bin and the
stamp act, and other marked in
stances Of English oppression and In
reference with the colonies. to note
that II afforded a splendid opportun-
ity for the desire for popular liberty
To become deeply rooted in the hearts
of the American people; and SO we'll
was the time improved that the po-