Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-06-28

understand that the bending of ones
knees before mere mammon is one o.
the most contemplate forms OF self
abasement; that the inordinate greed
of wealth is not only a most de-
moralizing passion, but an exceedingly
painful and tormenting disease; that
life wholly devoted To money-making
is an emrty. dismal, and miserable
life,-as empty, dismal and miserable
as life wholly devoted to pleasure;
that among those who succeeded in
becoming big millionaires there are
very few happy men; that probably
most of them wish they were some
thing else; and that, at the tinai
weighing of the values of your life,
you will find an ounce of usefulness
to your fellow men far out-weighing
tne mere possession of ever so many
tons of gold.
by the moulding of characters to
which such ways of thinking are
natural, inestimable aid will be rem
dered toward The revival of conscience
and the uplifting of the standards OF
honor of which certain parts of our
business world seem TO stand so sore
ly in need. The same influences will
do equally precious service on the
larger field of public affairs. They
will certainly promote among the PEG.
pie the sober and earnest considera
ton of such matters as these.
This American republic arose up
on the virgin soil not only to grow
ricn and strong, but to be the guiding
star of all mankind struggling for
liberty. that is to prove to all mankind
the possibility, the benefcence anu
the tue glory of government of the
people, for the people, and by the
people.
Ii under its peculiarly favorable
conditions it misses this vocation, it
misses its highest destiny, and Will
stand as the greatest, most calam-
itous, and most discouraging failures
in the history of the world. While it
was, and is, bound TO increase i'll
wealth and physical power, yet wealth
and physical power are not the things
to constitute its true greatness, nor
are tney the means by which this re-
public can exercise it's peculiarly
wholesome influence in the family of
nations.
at will exert a farther reaching
more benefCient and more enduring
influence in the world by setting a
good example which inspires respect
and confidence, than by building up
large and threatening ornaments
which excite fear and distrust.
The example thus to be set is that
of a great people successfully govern.
ing themselves in the enjoyment OF
the fullest liberty, equal rights. pro
gressive enlightenment, ana the peace
able cooperation of the social forces,
and observing in their intercourse the
foreign nations the weakest as well as
the strongest, the utmost fairness and
all those principles which make for
peace and friendly understanding.
TO this end il is far more import
ant than that we be best armed.
This republic is naturally destined
to be the great peace power of the
world, and as such it should resOlute-
~, by example as well as teaching,
lead a movement for the reduction OF
warpreparations in time of peace,
one OF the most oppressive curses un,
der which mankind is now suffering.
II was originally in belaIf OF such a
movement that the idea OF which the
Hague Tribunal is a practical reaIiza~
ton was first started
let me say by the way. mat We
cannot too heartily praise the
countenance President Roosevelt has
given to the Hague Tribunal. and es
peciaiiy his recent effort to bring on
the termination Of he awful struggle
in the far east which is appalling
mankind If this effort succeeds, as
be one of the greatest tTiumphs OF
American diplomacy; indeed, an IDEAL
ly American triumph. And let us
hope that this anti-war spirit. follow,
ing its own logic, will according to
the first impulse from which sprung
the Hague conference, soon turn
again against the kindred evil of
armed peace as well. To this work
the favor of circumstances points to
the United States as the natural
leader
This republic should stand as the
gentleman per excellence among the
nations, the gentleman scorning the
role of a swashbuckler whose hip.
pockets bulge with loaded sixshooters
and who flashes big diamonds on mis-
fingers and his shirt-front, the gentle.
man modest in his consciousness OF
strength, carrying Justice. for
hearance, and Cancellation on his
tongue, and benevolence in mis- hand,
rather than chip on his shoulder.
If this republic is to endure and to
he successful in its highest mission,
it must put its trust rather in schools
than IL battleships.
1T is the teaching Of false patriot
ism hat any moral iniquity will be
come a vir,uous and praiseworthy act
if committed in behalf of ones
country Such doctrines are only
relics of the primitive notion that
every stranger is barbarian pre-
sumptiveIy hostile, having no rights
entitled to respect. Civilization VIII
be the more perfect and beneticent.
the more strictly it applies to trans
actions between nations the moral
code which Is applied to transactions
between individual. Whatever war
NAV occasionally have done for pro,