Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1905-12-07

the greatest number battled against
powerful machines, it was bat
tie OF ballots; but at this moment
it is conflict within the hearts OF
men, and, however discouraging
the situation may have seemed, it
must be clear to democrats every
where that the light is breaking
and that sooner or later correct
principles will prevail, sooner OF
later falsehood will meet defeat.
One of the greatest truths was
stated in succinct form when it was
said eternal vigilance is the price
of liberty" The people Of a re-
public must be ever active for the
protection of their own interests
and for the perpetuation of popular
government. All too often the
people become neglected. Of Their
own interests, and individuals take
advantage Of the peoples indiffer-
ence, but in our system of govern
ment there is the advantage that
the people may correct every pub
lie evil and that the impositions to
which they must submit are to be
measured by their indifference to
their duties as citizens. If it has
sometimes seemed in recent years
as it has seemed in other periods
of the worlds history that "Truth
is forever on the scaffold and wrong
forever on the throne" let it be
remembered that experience has
demonstrated that "that scaffold
sways the future" and that those
who faithfully combat error are
warranted in believing that "be-
hind the dim, unknown standeth
God within the shadow, keeping
watch above his own"
Those who have kept the faith
may be helped by word of en-
couragement. They must certain
ly find comfort in the nnmistakable
signs conveyed in some of the re-
suits OF the recent election.
To those who have seemed indif-
ferent to their duties as citizens
and yet who, as all intelligent men
must, today appreciate the enor-
nifty of the evils under which the
American people suffer, we would
ask: Where are you standing to-
day? Is it on the side of truth OF
on falsehood's side?
Is your conscience the sovereign
of your intellect or are you ruled
by other and less worthy forcesi
Do you think for yourself, or are
your conclusions regulated by other
men who not only think for you,
but who think according to their
own selfish interests? You have
sneered at the minority holding
aloft the banner Of democracy; but
the time is not far off when you
will be glad to give your aid te
transform that minority into a ma
jority; the time is not far distant
when you will desert the forces o.
error to stand proudly among the
supporters of truth.
But you will be better man il
you shall change your course at the
command of your conscience and
your intellect rather than by wait
ing to be dragged to the truth by
the requirements of your stomach
You will be better citizen if you
refuse to longer blindly follow
party because of it's name and il
spite Of its policy. You will be
better patriot if you desert false
hood in the hours of it's triumph
and reinforce truth in the days o
it's defeat.
A man may, without effort,
stand up and be counted among
victorious throng, but it reqnire'
strength and courage to enable ont
to do battle for truth in the face o
what seems to be overwhelming
odds. Zone on Gods side is ;
majority" said Wendell Phillips
and that which is majority in thu
sight of heaven it may be depended
upon, will in time become a major
ity in the sight of men.-Th
Commoner.