Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-11-30


every proud American citizen would
be glad to avoid, but if we are to be
frank we must confess that the
dreadful list could be more easily
enlarged than curtailed. The ire
mendous question confronting us is
whether these things can be regarded
as mere items of bad behavior, which
will yield to correction, or whether
We must submit to the belief that
they are symptoms and manifesto
tions of a fundamental and radical
change in American character,
If, like offenses committed by
individuals, they can be cured, or at
least restrained from progress or
repetition, by exposure and punish
ment, we have abundant reason for
hope and reinsurance. Despair can
arise only from a conviction that the
evil conditions which afflict us are
proof of the decadence or destruc-
tlon af those saving traits of our
normal disposition, upon which our
free institutions must depend for
their b~enficence and perpetuity.
In discussing the significance OF
the untoward appearances forced
upon our view, we should resist the
influence OF gloomy forebodings,
and at the same time guard against
the instintive and complacent notion
that American institutions have
endured long enough to demonstrate
that neither assault from without
nor maligant disease within can
defeat the experiment of popular
rule. Though a coloring may be
given the discussion by our moods
and temperamental inclinations, it is
certain that useful results will not
be reached if either lightheaded
optimism or melancholy pessimism
is in full command. Surely there
Is a cloud bigger than a mans hand
in our national sky, but this does
not necessarily presage u destruc-
ton by flood or storm. Least o. all
should one be suspected of tolerat-
ing the noxious weeds which choke
the growth of better things, or of
undertaking their ~balefulnees, is he
claims that American character is as
yet untouched by decay, and is still
a safe guide for those who are will
ing to be safely led.
United States senators and repre-.
sentatives in congress, who, relying
on the loose ideas of honesty prevail
ing their environment, have betrayed
the trust Of the people, find that no
perverted sentiment and no disguise
or dazzel Of high position avails to
save them from the fate of common
m~alefactors. Those also who, while
entrusted with important duties in
the executive branches of govern
ment, national and state, have taken
advantage of easy opportunity to
fitch public funds or have lent them
selves to the pilfering schemes Of
others. woefully realize, behind
prison bars and in the depths of
irredeemable disgrace, that Ameri-
can justice and decent American SEN
timent are no more ready to condone
stealing from the public than from
an individual.
Ofenses against the political
rights Of the people, involving the
corruption Of their suffrage and the
sale in places high and low Of off
cial patronage and favor, are over
taken by exposure and punishment
in everp part Of the land. Many
who have INDUCED in these crimes,
impudently assuming that the uni
versatility of our indifference TO poli-
teal affairs and pubic admnisna
ton gives PROMISE Of immunity, have
Of late had a rude awakening 10 the
fact that an easy going disuse of
political privileges by honest citi-
zens falls far short of a Willingness
on their part to overlook or tolerate
a vile traffic in votes of an abomin-
able bartering away of the peoples
interests in places of trust.