The Oakley eagle. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1901-1908, 1906-11-01
THE PARAMOUNT DUTY.

The press of the state is glutt-
ed with arguments designating
this and that as the paramount
issue. Now let us briefly consi-
der the paramount duty.
The state of Idaho is blessed
with boundless resources of field
and farm, forest, range and mine.
Ten per cent of the sheep and
cattle of the country come from
her ranges; she has the largest
stand of pine timber in the
world; she produces forty FIVE
per cent of the lead produced in
America; she wins easy victories
at all expositions on her fruit
and her gold and silver mines
rank with the best on earth. In
deed God has lavished contin-
ent OF wealth here within the
limits of a single state of the I'm
ion. Our climate is equable and
very salubrious and good health
is all but contagious. 1t is our
proud boast that this is the ma
tive home Of peace and plenty,
cnd unrivaled beauty.
With the possession of all these
matchless opportunities to labor
and to live thriftilly comes grave
responsibilities and just at this
time we are confronted with the
paramount duty of thes hour;
chat is to, by our ballots, con-
serve the rights and liberties of
the people, perpetuate prosper
ity, reward faithful and patriotic
public service, rebuke those who
seek to gain a foothold here by
intimidation of public officials.
Lay not the flattering JUNCTION
to your souls that you can es-
cape the consequences of your
action or the evils that follow
betrayal of your electoral rights.
Let no man who fails to exercise
his full electoral rights complain
hereafter if the national or state
government do not carry into
effect those principles he believes
to be Tor the best interests of the
people; let no man who does not
vote right as he knows the right
|clamor against the extreme pen
|alties that are due to follow as
the results of his disloyalty; let
no man who barriers his exalted
|civic rights as an elector for
envy, revenge, petty spite or per
|sonal likes and dislikes, claim to
be loyal citizen Of the republic.
A serious crisis III state and ma
tional affairs is approaching and
loyal patriotic citizens must not
allow personal prejudices or en-
vious feels to interfere, but must
get together for the common
cause that true patriotism may
have no hindrance. Personal
ambitions must not be consider
ed IN the light of this menace to
domestic peace. Let us all work
shoulder to shoulder for the for
nation of an alliance of all true
patriotic men, regardless of
party affiliations and station in
lite; let us not misconstrue the
intentions of those who having
at heart the best interests of the
commonwealth, suggest men and
for the accomplishment
of this patriotic purpose, All
wo1 Thy citizens mourn the unto
ward catastrophe that has bereft |
us OF a valuable asset in state
life. A man to whom the first |
thought was the pursuance of
his full duty; let no man conceive
the idea that he can honor the
memory of Frank Steunenberg,
by decrying the motives of him
whom the people of Idaho have
Entrusted with upholding the
of law and order as
chief executive of the state. The
manly soul of Frank Steunen
berg would revolt at the idea of
DESERVING the man who was I'M
der fire for dong his full duty,
and he would also be tile first to
stand by his side.
That the murder of ex-Gover-
nor Steunenberg was a te rible
catastrophe, we all az rec; that
the perpetrators Of his dastardly
alton should if possible
be apprehended; that in seeking
out and holding the offenders,
It was aud is necessary that the
governor Of this state should ex-
ert the full power Of the execu-
tive office; that the governors of
Idaho, Colorado and their legal
advisors, are, considering the
circumstances, in the best posi-
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