Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06
FOLKS ADDRESS.


spoke as follows:
What we say here may count for lit
tie, our words may be Of only passing
moment, and soon forgotten. But those
ideals that bring us hcre will live when
those present at this assembly shall
have passed away. We come not of
ourselves alone to welcome home the
distinguished American in whose honor
we gather. but to voice the love and
faith Of millions in the great leader
who has again set foot upon his native
land-millions who love him because
his hands are clean. his heart is pure,
and his soul has not been touched nor
tainted with the scars Of unearncd
gold. Nor in him alone do we place
our trust, nor in aught that is human,
but rather in those eternal truths which
he has loved and served SO we'll.
We are on the threshold of the great
est political awakening this nation has
ever known. It marks the beginning of
a new age. Ihe next few years will
be distinguished as tho time in which
industrial problems are solved, tho
reign of the special privilege brought
to an end, and the doctrine of equal
rights fixed in national policies and in
the conscience of mankind. Things are
not tolerated for a omen now. that
long ago were submitted to in silence.
only II few years past, bribery was
merely conventional. Lcgis-
latiVe halls were made dcns Of thieves.
ana the touch Of the u~nclcan dollar of
privilege was over all. Dishonesty in
public life was either unnoticcd or re-
garded with despair. Then Il dormant
public conscience was aroused to tho
necessity of stamping ont tho offence
That strikes at the heart OF free govern
ment, and of making governmen rep
resentative in facts as we'll rs I'm name.
PRIVATE CORRUPTION REVEALED.
The energies Of this public conscience
nave been extended from the domain Of
the public wrone-dOer to that Of tho pri-
waite wrong doer, and are probing into
the workings Of rascals of every kind.
The insurance inYestigHtions have sent
torth their messages, rebates revelations
have been seon and heard. and innumor-
able grand jurics have held up graft and
fraud to the public view. The curtains
have been drawn aside. and revealed to
the startled gaze of the people the
anarchy of corruption and greed in their
bacchanal of a~varice.
This awakening that has resulted from
the revelations Of wrongs. Is the shirt
Of true patriotism, This word has almost
ceased to have meaning. md was often
used as synonymous with war. We are
now learning that there may be as much
patriotism in giving ones time 70 the bet
terinent of civic conditions and in getting
good men into office. as in barring ones
breast to tho bullets Of a public enemy
in time OF war. TIL highest patriotism
is the patriotism Of service. The peonle
are commencing to appreciate the fact
that the government Dr city, state and
nation belongs To then. and that they can
take the government into their own hands
when ever they wish. 80 government was
ever better thar the people made it. or
worse than they suffered it 10 become.
The public life of a n'tion is hut a re-
Election of It's private life. This govern
ment is no better than any other. except
as the virtue and patriotism of the people
make it SO. The people ore beginning to
understand that WHOM they undertake to
DC their kings, they assume the respon-
sibilities as well as the privileges Of
sovereignty. This awakening will go on
80 "A'''' 'N'' iiiN AlAl'E VII, " W
lutions never go backward and this is a
revolution that is being wrought in the
hearts of men.
NO OBJECTION TO HONEST RICH.
This movement against wrongs is not
la crusade against wealth. Wealth in it.
self is n blessing: tho abuse of wealth is
a curse. Wealth gained by honest indus
try is c~ommendable. The poverty of in
dolence is contemptil.e. This government
does not rest upon the idle rich nor the
idle poor, but upon the industry and
patriotism of the middle classes. There
can be no objection TO honest riches.
but there is objection to the crimes and
privileges out of which tainted riches
grow. There is no disposition to iniure
corporations that ODE the law, but the
demand is that corporations even the