Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-26

of this ?" commonwealth to have g
 sound government as the substruc-
 ture of success and contentment
 They have always been jealous Of
 their rights under the law and to-day
 the temper of our people will not much longer tolerate laws that oper- ate unjustly, nor tolerate men who make such laws This fact must be
 recognized, and the sooner it is un- derstood by public men the sooner legislation will be accomplished that takes into consideration only those things which establish confidence in the general government. We cannot all go to the general assembly, be- cause there is hardly room enough for us all in Hartford, but we can make sure that the men we send there are our representative in fact; that they are sent there to act for all the people, and to do it faithfully and fearlessly, regardless of personal consequence.
 "'The strongest backing a member of the general assembly can secure is the respect and confidence of his con- stituents, and it is a mystery to me why men who seek the rewards of public life fail to comprehend this vital fact. If any man goes to the general assembly with the intention of advancing his own selfish interests by serving any selfish and illegiti- mate enterprise that is opposed to the general welfare of all the people, he is an unfit representative and should never again be trusted. It is your business to know the character of the men whom you place in office. In your every day commercial transac- tions you are very careful to find out all about the men in your employ. wants are doing. You don't hire a man knowing that heis likely to be- tray you, nor do you keep him long when you are sure your confidence has been misplaced. You make sure of these things in business why not make sure of them in the important business of the state upon which your own welfare finally depends?
 You have no more right to treat with indifference what concerns your state than you have to neglect your own business. In either case your security is endangered. How long as a general'principle would you keep a man in your employ who was neg lecting your business or one who was incompetent. Or one who was be- traying your confidence? It is your duty to make politics a serious part of your life. To say that you don't take any stock in politics and won't mix up in any fight is to throw up the sponge as a citizen and aeknow- . ledge yourself unfit to live under democratic form of government. You are defeated at the start and yop have no standing as a member of the ! commonwealth It does not take long to find out what is going on. It doesI not take long to attend the primaries. where government begins. It does! not take long to go to the polls. s.whe-el a man can assert his fndependent will What apology has a man to offer for not knowing his personal responsibility as a citizen and for not doing his duty?
 Train up your boys and girls toi understand the meaning of self gov-E ernment Who knovs2 The girl may vote some day. at any rate. they will I be mothers Of voters and the boy is the big part of his mother in the United States.
 This life is not aII seIfshness ny friends- It is only by doing our duty thzt ve can gain happiness or confer upon others This eIvfIfzs- t5o1 does not excuse men and women