The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-10-17

who believe in good government by the
people.
'''The moral revolution now sweeping
over the land means the patriotism that
comes from the heart not from the head.
IN PEOPLES HANDS.
MANY men would be willing; If need
be- to gIEhe up their liys, ,or .hfIp siy and o
this kind OF patriotism cannot be too
highly commended but the man who is
willing 10 live for his city and ms state
every day is the man that is needed just
now.
There may be as much patriotism IN
giving ones time to the betterment oi
men TO office and I'm pssdfyinE the ballot
as I'm barring ones breast TO tae bullets OF
the enemy.
I'VE need more men actuated alone by
the public good and fewer of those who
are in politics merely for revenue. 1he
strength OF the lawless element H. great.
but IL Is nothing when IL comes In con
tact with a public conscience thoroughly
aroused.
''The people can overthrow civic evil
whenever they want 10. and get just IA
good government as they deserve or az
bad they permit II To become. The
law abiding people are I'm the majority
In Philadelphia and there IL hardly
community i'm this country OF which this
cannot be said. They are usually quiet,
however while the lawless are so voci-
ferrous as TO deceive many as 10 their
number.
RULE OF THE PEO$s4E.
They may bluff and duldoze. but they
are towards, and If resolutely fought
they can he overcome. They are always
active. however, while the average good
citizen becomes active only occasionally.
The moral revolution that is now
sweeping over the land is merely a re-
rival OF the rule OF the people. Four
years ago the laws against bribery IN
all of the states were considered as prac-
tically dead letters.
Not because the offence was uncom-
mon, but because II was uncommon for
'ffiCials To be prosecuted for II. When
mo prosecutions were commenced I'm ST.
Louis members OF the house OF delegates
claimed that this bribery had been going
on 80 long they were entitled to notice
to quit before being prosecuted.
Here was crime worse than any
otler. for their offence violated the law.
while bribery strikes at the foundation OF
all laws. Yet the law denouncing II was
not enforced; bribery became the usual
and expected thing all over the land; COR
rupt men fessted and fat, ned at public
expense; laws became merchandise on the
market and at this time the public con
science was asleep. When the revelation
came the people saw how they had been
plundered, they saw the offence I'm all OF
its enormity, and from one end OF the
land to the other there was a civic awak
ening Any special privilege is a graft.
Monopoly. even Unprotected privileges
are CRAFTS and should be hateful to every
fair minded citizen.
POLITICAL PARTIES SERVANTS.
- political party has no right to ask
for support because IL Is that party. but
because II stands for right. II political
party cannot get votes on the ground Of
patriotism II has no right 10 ask for
votes on the ground OF partisanship
Under our form ~ government political
parties are necessity. for II Is through
them the people can come TO agreements
on public questions and announce their
principles and intentions. but political
parties should be the servants Of the peo-
pie. not their masters.
When those on the inside of any great
financial concern divert the trust funds
for their profit. that is n graft aga inst
the laws: when a class OF men have spe-
cial privileges whereby they can prey
upon the rest Of the people. that Is a
graft. They may not be against the law
aid may even be protected by law.
The remedy for corruption, bribery OF
| graftihg OF every kind Is TO enforce the
| law. II the system ls working an lilega
game. instead Of trying to beat the game
the better way Is 10 stop the game