The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-04-21

Although the late John j. Ingalls, was the author
OF many brilliant sayings and enjoyed long and
notable career as a United States Senator yet all
seems to be forgotten with the exception of the poem
Opportunity" which through extensive quotation,
constitutes his only memorial in the public mind.
But the iconocast has risen in the person of Robert
L. Cherry of Estill Springs, Tenn, who says "It
is fact not generally known, perhaps, that Ingalls,
did not write Opportunity and that it is transa-
ton of poem entitled I'll Fato, which appeared in
La Sveglia, newspaper of Naples, Italy, in 1887.
The author is Dr. Nico Gigliotti, A. NJ, LID, M.
d. of Erie, Pa, Italian poet, literary critic and
philosopher"
Perhaps recent call to the rank and file of the
Democratic party has been clearly uttered than
that of Gov. Folk of Missouri when at dinner
given in honor of the birthday of Thomas Jefferson,
ne said: Jefferson announced the cardinal doctrine
of true Democracy when he declared for equal rights
to ALL special privileges to none' This maxim
expresses every essential element of true Democracy.
1t embraces every essential element of good govern"
ment. The phrase sounds simple, but it has taken
generations for men to attain practical understand
ing of its wisdom and justice. 1t comes to today
as message from the past, for it applies to the
conditions today with even greater force than when
it was first announced by the father of Democracy"
Gov. Folk, in calling attention to such principle
as a safeguard against corruption, declared, "That
was of the first declarations against what is
known in modern times graft Graft in its last
analysis is special privilege, either exercised con-
special privilege is at the bottom of every graft.
No heard of an official being corrupted in
order to give equal rights to all. 1t is always for
the purpose of obtaining some special privilege for
few"
The spirit of Jefferson is sought, but it is the
substance of the Hamilton doctrine that prevails To
the mind ruled by custom a change to the princi-
Piles declared by Thomas Jefferson the basis OF
Democratic government would be considered
-. ILL.,
country and the plain people, who possess special
privileges but who find taxation and living expenses
increase yearly without corresponding increase of
income and who lack the energy or intelligence to
concentrate effective of relief in bear
ing the public burden, form the audience from which
Socialism is gaining its converts.
Of the progress of this movement and its imprac-
tcability the Philadelphia Record offers the follow
ing cear-cut opinions
"The most careless observer cannot fail to witness
the renewed activity of the Socialist propaganda in
this country, while it appears to langush in Europe
What the advocates of Socialism lack in numbers
they than make up in zeal and self-advertise-
ment. The local columns of the daily newspapers
give proof of their untring labors on the platform,
in interviews and in literary contributions. But
while some view the movement with undue concern,
others treat it perhaps with too much Indifference,
in the conviction that Socialism is harmless
as when attempts seriously made to put it in
practice. These enemies of the movement overlook
the fact, however, that it is making advances here
and there toward its goal in municipal ownership
and Government control of business operations and
utilities.
"Love of personal liberty and the irresistible
strivngs for inequality, however, war most efectu-
ally against the scheme of universal equality. None
but the servile and frivolous wish to initiate other
men, Besides the inequalities in which humanity
participates with all the rest of nature there are
acquired inequalities toward which men of spirit
and courage are constantly aspiring in every field
of human effort. To attempt to suppress this i'm
pulse and to put the same dead level, reward
ing all alike according to their needs, and not their
merits, is iniquitous and absurd
Socialism if it could be realized in the State,
would be the end not only of progress in drying up
it's source in the impulse of inequality, but OF per-
sonal liberty. In spite of the doctrine that men
work for the pleasure of working, there is very
considerable number of repusive, irksome and dan
gerous employments which necessary for the
safety and sanitation of every community The lazy
and thriftess will not voluntarily undertake these
labors any terms, whilst the willing industrious
and courageous engage in them only for their rewards
In Tho economic state of which the Socialists dream