Albuquerque evening citizen., 1907-02-22
WASH|NGTON'S BIRTH
DAY OBSERVED OVER
ALL THE STATES
Continued from Page one.)

question pressed upon US with a de-
mana Tor reply that will not be de-
hled; Who among US all, IL our
hearts are purged of misleading i'm
pulses and our minds freed from pre-
Verting pride, can be sure that to-
day the posture of affairs and the
prevailing disposition of our country
men cooperate in the establishment
and promotion of harmony, honesty,
Industry and frugality?"
The self-examinat1on invited by
this days commemoration will be in
complete and superficial IL we are
not thereby forced to the confession
that there are signs of the times
which indicate a weakness ari re-
taxation of our hold upon these saw
ing virtues. When thus forewarned,
1t Is the height of recreancy for us
obstinately to close our eyes to the
needs of the situation and refuse ad-
mission to the thought that evil can
overtake us. II we are to deserve
security, we will carefully and duti-
fully take our bearings and discover
If we can how far wind and tide
have carried us away from safe wa
| ters.
If we find that the wickedness of
destructive agitators and the selfish
depravity of demagogues have stir
red up discomfort and strife where
there should be peace and harmony
and have arrayed against each other
interests which should dwell togeth-
er I'm hearty cooperation; If we find
that the old standards of sturdy, un-
| compromising American honesty
have become so corroded and weak
ened by a sordid atmosphere that
our people are hardly startled by
crimes in high places and shameful
betrayals of trust everywhere; IL
we find sadly prevalent disposition
among us to turn from the highway
of honorable industry into shorter
cross roads leading to irresponsible
and worthless ease; IL we find tnat
! widespread wastefulness and extra
,vagance have discredited the whole
some frugality. which was once the
pride of Americanism, we should re-
call Washington's admonition that
harmony, industry and frugality are
essential pillars OF public felicity"
and forthwith endeavor to change
our course.
1t is our habit to affiliate with DO
| litical parties. Happily the strength
|
safely Withstand the utmost freedom
and activity of political discussion so
far as it involves the adoption of gov
ernmental policies or the enforce
ment of good administration. But
they cannot withstand the frenzy of
hate which seeks under the guise of
political earnestness to blot out Am
erican brotherhood and to cunningly
| do Eaf 4
of envy and malice is no more than
jealous insistence upon their man.
| hood rights.
| Political parties are exceedingly
human; and they are easier to fall
before temptation than individuals,
by so much as partisan success is the
law of their life and because their
responsibility Is impersonal. 1t is
easily recalled that political organ
izations have been quite willing to
utilize gusts of popular prejudice and
resentment; and 1 believe they have
been known as a matter of shrewd
| management to encourage voters to
hope for some measure of relief from
economic abuses, ana yet to "stand
pat on the day appointed for reali-
| cation.
We have fallen upon a time when
| it behooves every thoughtful citizen,
whose political beliefs are based on
reason and who cares enought for
| his manliness and duty to save them
from barter, TO realize that the or
ganization of the party of his choice
needs watching, and that at times it
is not amiss critically to observe its
direction and tendency. This GER
tainly ought to result i'm our coun-
try's gain; and 1t is only partisan
imprudence that condemns a member
of political party, who on proper
occasion submits its conduct and the
loyalty to principle of its leaders to
court of review, over which his
conscience, his reason and his polit-
ical understanding preside.
l protest that L have not spoken
in a spirit of pessimism. l have and
enjoy my full share of the pride and
exultation which our country's ma
terial advancement so fully justifies
Its limitless resources, its astonishing
growth, its unapproachable indus
trial development and it's irrespons-
ible inventive genius have made it
the wonder of the centuries.
The land we live in seems TO be
strong and active. But how fares the
land that lives in us? Are we sure
that we are doing all we ought to
keep it in vigor and health? Are
we keeping it roots we'll surrounded
by the fertile soil of loving allegi-
ance, and are we furnishing them
the invigorating moisture of unself-
ish fidelity?
The land we live in is safe so long
as we are dutifully careful of the
land that lives in us. But good in
tentions and fine sentiments will not
meet the emergency. II We could
bestow upon the land lives in us the
care 1t needs, it is indispensable that
we should recognize the weakness of
our human nature, and for suscept-
ibility to temptations and influences
that interfere with a full conception
of our obligations; and thereupon we
should see to it that cupidity and
selffishness do not blind our con-
sciences or dun our efforts
WASHINGTON'S BIRTH
DAY OBSERVED.
Rome, Feb. 22-In all the large
cities throughout Italy Washington's
- u