The San Francisco call., 1907-06-22
Calls Bribe Givers Traitors
Worse Than Benedict Arnold
Ex-Governor Discusses Corruption in
Address to Oakland Graduates

OAKLAND, June 21.-"What shall be
said of the peace time traitors, such
as have cursed and disgraced San Fran
cisco and California and caused us all
to hang our heads in very shame before
the scornfully pointed fingers of jeer-
ing world?'
Thus spoke former Governor George
c. Pardee at the graduating exercises
of the Oakland high school tonight be-
fore the graduates and an audience
which filled the common school assem-
bly, hall In Lafayette park.
Pardee piled the whip and lash Of
his rhetoric upon the boodlers and
brfbers of San Francisco. He declared
that the most detested figures in the
record of betrayal of trust in war were
not comparable to the men who had de-
bauched government in the United
States. He extolled the president of
the United States and insisted that all
or the people, as has Roosevelt. must
work to rescue the country from the
peace time traitors" into whose
hands. he avowed. much of the political
machinery of the nation had fallen.
Pardee's address was upon the theme,
Peace and Patriotism" His terrific
excoriation of what he described as in
tolerably threatening conditions was IS
unexpected as it was strong. His audi
ence was reused to enthusiastic demon
stration throughout the speech as the
castigation was delivered
TWO KINDS OFF TRAITORS
During the address Pardee said:
/. Ihe man who takes the oath of office and
accepts bribe TO give special privileges at the
expense of the many to the few is as much
OF traitor to his country as even Benedict
Arhold was And the who deliberately and
EQtG 0h0 ..a.Irl
ofnclals and betray the people is also traitor
more more or one, If such thing be possible than
path of official rectitude In fact of the two
Alnds or traitors the time and the peace
aine the former is less despicable and less be
condemned or all honest men and women.
VIII you pardon me If l say that to many
earnest thinking patriotic Americans the reyela-
uons of political corruption lately made in the
metropolis of this state and in the other great
cities of this nation are threatening omens which
nave caused them to look with great appre-
henslon upon the future of the United States
and that they fear that unless some means be
found to impress upon the minds of the young
necessity, for civic righteousness and patriotism
10 time of peace. the days of the American
republic are numbered and her ruin is not far off
QUALITY OF PATRIOTISM
Patriotism is necessary in times of peace
equally as much as in times of and it is
necessary for the men and women of the
country to do their duty in time of profoundest
peace as 1t is in times of the most threatening
war and invasion. We embalm in song and
verse the deeds of those who spring TO arms
IN time of war. but we disposed to pay too
little, far too little, attention TO the peace
time patriot. the man. who neglecting his own
interests, gives as necessary aid to his country
IN time OF peace as the soldiers do in time of
war.
Benjamin Franklin and those who signed with
Ihm the immortal declaration of Independence
gave TO these United States as great a service.
and as dangerous one as those who fought
with gun and sword.
l take it that this country has never seen
more consistent self sacrificing, loyal patriot
His course well illustrates the necessity for
peace time patriotism. The soldiers like Grant
and sherman. the war time president and states
have earned the everlasting gratitude and love
or all the world. Washington and Ethan Allen.
Lafayette and General Greene. all are rightfully
enbalmed in the grateful memories Of the
American people. but do we realize what
vice: In time of profound peace. the present
president of the United States has rendered us?
DO we realize that he has stayed the
croachments upon our liberties of predatory
wealth? Do we realize the courage and deter
mination 1t required for this man to face and
defy the concentrated power of wealth and to
say to it, THUS far shalt thou go and no far
ther"?
Do We realize that there was growing up in
this country there grew up in Greece and
Rome power of wealth that. always grasping
for new privileges for itself at the expense OF
the many, threatened to finally overthrow the
American republic as it overthrow the free Gre
clan and Roman governments
The recent revelations in San Francisco and
the conduct OF affairs at the capitals Of many
Of the states. as well at Washington itself,
in all of which the representatives of corporate
wealth have openly defied the wishes of the
people and caused Legislators and executives TO
turn aside from their sworn duties TO the people
all these things should long ago have convinced
US that our country was in danger and that
unless the next generation. represented by these
young ladies and gentlemen of the graduating
class, were warned of the dangers that con-
fronted common country and were willing to
do their patriotic duty In time of peace well
American rpnubp.
the republics of Greece and Rome, would before
long crumble away. TO be succeeded. as was the
in its ancient prototypes. by weak.
ephemeral, corrupt aristocracy of wealth and
blood.
EVEN AS BENEDICT ARNOLD
What shall be said of the peace time traitors.
such have cursed and disgraced San Fran
cisco and California and caused us all to hang
heads In Shame hefnre the scornfullY