The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1906-08-31

even Bryan himself could be heard,
The mention of Bryan's name called
forth renewed cheering. Then when
quiet had been restored, Governor
Folk proceeded.
What we say here may count for
little, our words may be of only pass
ing moment, and soon forgotten. But
those ideals that bring us here remain
when those present at this assembly
shall have passed away We come
notnot 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 unearned 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 well.
"We' are on the threshold Of the
greatest political awakening this ma
tion has ever known. It marks the
beginning of new age. The next
few years will be distinguished as
the time in which Industrial prob
lens are solved, the reign of the spe-
cial privilege brought to an end, and
the doctrine of equal rights fixed in
the national policies and in the con-
science of mankind Things are not
tolerated for moment now that not
long ago were submitted to in
silence. Only few years past
bribery was considered merely con-
ventional. Legislative halls were
made dens of thieves, and the touch
of the unclean dollar of privileges
was over all. Dishonesty in public
life was either unnoticed or regard
ed with despair. Then a dormant
public conscience was aroused to the
\
necessity of stamping out the offence
that strikes at the heart of free
government, and of making the gov
ernment representative in facts as
well as in name.
The energies of this public con-
science have been extended from the
domain of the public wrong-doer to
that of the private wrong -doer, and
are probing into the workings of
rascals of every kind. Theinsurance
Investigations have sent forth their
messages, rebate revelations have
been seen and heard, and innumer-
able grand juries have been drawn
aside, and revealed to the startled
gaze of the people the anarach of
corruption and greedzin their bac-
chanal of averice.
This awakening that has result
ed from the revelations of the
wrongs, is the spirit of true
patriotism. This word has almost
ceased to have any meaning, and was
often used as synonymous with war.
We are now learning that there may
be as much patriotism in giving ones
time to the betterment of the civic
conditions and in getting good men
into Office, as in bearing ones breast
tothe bullets of a public enemy in
time of war The highest patriotism
is the patriotism of service. The
people are commencing to appreciate
the fact that the government of city,
state and nation belongs to them,
and that they can take the govern
ment into their own hands when
ever they wish. No government was
ever better than the people made it,
or worse than they suffered it to be-
come. The public life of a nation
is but a reflection of its private life.
This government is no better than
any other, except as the virtue and
patriotism of the people make 1t SO.
The people are beginning to under
stand that when they undertake to
be their kings they assume the re-
sponsibilities as well as the privileges
of sovereignty. This awakening will
go on for a while, reforms some
times die, revolutions never go back
ward and this is revolution that is
being wrought in the hearts of men.
The gospel of equal rights sounds
the death-knell Of privilege and
means the uprooting Of monopoly
throughout the land. This gospel
teaches that 1t is more important
that all of the people be prosperous
than that a few be very rich; that
it is better that all of the people
should have all of the wealth than
that all OF the wealth should be in
the hands Of a few people. The Other
republics that have lived and died
during the fight of time through the
iages have been wrecked upon the
rock Of privilege. But the hope fol
the perpetuity OF this government
was never brighter than II Is today
because the people are awakened x