The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-05-11

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encd intelligent educated aud patfi0.
tic public opinion of It's people, seek
ing TO promote the common good, or
shall the people become the spoils of
Intrigue corporate greed and private
graft by allowing a political machine.
allied with great corporations. work
ing only with a view to their own
profit. AID public plunder in The mono
poly Of Office. to control our affairs.
Ia other words. the supreme issue
was and is; shall the people rule?
or shall the corporations control7"in IN
the new commonwealth of Oklahoma
When tho election was held the votes
canyassed and the contest ended. It
showed that the people had won
magnificent triumph. II proved that
our people were patriots first, rarii-
sans afterwards. Then II was that
under the new dispensation the sway
OF the old regime with its iebasing
lust OF greed and graft and it's un-
/, fair, unjust and dishonest scnemes of
political piracy was forced u give
way to honor, honesty and the higher
instincts of the human neart. to
nigh-minded patriotic people, seeking
W DlOltti intlittlNtS anu llltll UON-
terity from the evils of commercial
greed and corporate corruption, and
seeking to promote peace. progress
and prosperity for all. Thus the first
battle had been fought and won under
i'the most adverse conditions, ard poll
ticial history win record It as one OF
the greatest victories for popular
! rights
Then convened the chosen repres-
.enlauses OF the people, honorable,
Just, wise and patriotic. They labor
ed for ninety days and have formed
aud perfected a Fabric which in its
essential forms viii last forever. They
have placed therein those immortal
principles of liberty, equality and JUS
, lice. which have made this country
great. Guided by an influence, higher
than they were conscious of, they
nave perfected an instrument that
! when III flied and adopted by the peO-
| pie, il will stand as an impcfishabe
Rmonument not only to human liberty
aud human rights. but to human pro
gress as Well 1t is a constitution that
places human rights life and lbery
above The commandments of organ
lied greed. and predatory wealth
They vindcated the sancity Of rea-
son by guaranteeing the freedom OF
press, freedom of conscience and
free speech.
They provided for equality before
1.-The law of all citizens. the greatest
not exempt from its penalties, the
poorest not unworthy of its protoc-
tion.
they gave exemption from forced
sale to the home. and a limited ex
emrtion for taxation to the heads oi
he families.
They defined the duties of capital
and set forth the rights of labor.
They demand from every fltme of
ficer solemn oath that he ha mo-
paid directly or indirectly any money
or promise to procure his domination
or elec ion. except necessary expenses
expressly authorized by law, and tina
said officer, should not knowingly re
teiye directly or indirectly any none!
(, or other consideration for the perfor
nance or non-perforcance Of any ac
1r duty pertaining TO his office an'
that they would no receive, use o
travel upon any free pass during hi
term or Office,
The logic of events and the laws o
progress were crystalized in the sub
lime truths embodied theraln. profit
ing by the experience OF other 5 ates
They wrote constitution that Is tn
best ever written for any state o
for any people.
Guided BY the traditions aad follow
ing The teachings of the parry, whic
| Aot f.f 10,
pie is the voice OF God they gave [
the people all the power,
The venerated fathers of this natio
wero honorable, humane. jus an
patriotic, and the government create
ny their wisdom was the highest an
best form of free government eve
given 10 the children OF man. but h,
man foresight is Inadequate and HI
man wisdom fails in the task Of an
cipating the providing for all tn
gra alations of human wrong. an
crimes, by which the liberties of
people and the safety of state ma
be endangered. from the ignoranc'
Indifference, corruption and unhallop
ed ambitions of its servants. Desii
for power and place, or preeminenc'
In a work. ambition. is one Of IL
strongest and ever present passion
!, of men. and when legislation may b
!, made source OF wealth. sheu men
honor. integrity and patriotism. a
I IRE forgotten and perish before
Rare indeed are the instances thi
/, This Is not true Judas lscariot wa
: the first who received the money {
power. and It ended In the disgrac
OF his creed ani the death OF his ma
: ter, and the recent conviction OF ON
and the exposure OF certain othe
> United States senators are instance
For this reason they placed therei
3 he great principle of the initiatiy
q and referendum, believing that tn
! experience of the past has demol
! strated that the first and last. the bes
and noblest. as well as the safes, 81