The Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1905, 1905-04-08
SOME REMARKS.


The following are the closing re
marks Of Rev. Thomas Barker at the
Opera House meeting Saturday night:
The battle must begin at home. Men
and women who cherish the permanent
welfare. eff this city should practice
home training in patriotism and purity
and truth
Civic ideals and civic piety are not
inculcated by three weeks series of
meetings. They are the result of pa
tent, assiduous, and unremitting toll.
Il we are to have an ideal city, it is in
cumbent upon all Of us that we: 'sDo
justly, love mercy, and walk humbly
before God.
The one duty that would impose up
on you is the duty Of exercising the
function Of citizenship, in. the fear Of
God, and as those that have to give an
account of themselves at the last great
day. The one great duty of every citi-
zen is SO to inform hinself,5 and so to
exert his influence, and SO put forth his
activity, that what he does and what he
says shall lead on to purity, truth and
righteousness, toward the reign of the
men Of truth, that fear God and hate
sin. %
The foundation of all governments
is the same The foundation of hu-
man government is the same as the d.
vine. There can be no difference. The
divine government exists for the sake of
the governed. God governs us for our
benefit not for His. He is constantly
seeking our welfare. The foundation Of
all just government in the last analysis
is for the benefit Of the governed.
We are to decide what kind Of q
government we will have in our own
town this week. It is not question of
the benefit Of a party or a machine, or
a boss, but of the benefit of Ladysmith
We want government that aims at
the good of the people, that repudiates
the use of government Of party or in
dividual uses. We want a government
for the benefit of the people; a gov
eminent which, to use Mr.. Gladstone
words, ''Will make vice difficult and
virtue easy"
The cause of municipal reform is
great cause and its progress is bound to
be marked by confusions and disappoint-
ments and emergencies that try mems
souls, and show what stuff they are
made Of. At this point so many re-
lapse into moral incidence. There is an
apathy fostered by the pernicious notion
which is abroad todsy that we cannot
expect unbroken continuity Of right
euosness, that we can only go forward
on the wave movement, or by the swing
Of the pendulum. Many unconsciously
lower their ideals in the presence Of
overweening foulness; the success Of
political prostitution first sickens and
then discourages them. But the battle
for righteousness must be fought out to
a finish. We must relegate to oblivion
all Warders, Heelers, Grafters, and al
corrupt tricksters whose unholy man
irulations and scandulous greed are
making our American cities reproach
and byword in the eyes Of the world.
There is work for ALL We can all
contribute something to the desired
victory.
We need good, honest, fearless men
to administer our affairs. Men with
great convictions and fearless courage.
Good weak men won't do, nor men who,
though perfectly honest, are lacking in
this. strong and splendid quality. We
want men whom cajolery cannot beguile,
nor brides seduce, nor threats scare;
men Of single eye and lofty spirit and
heroic fearlessness.