Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-02-23


as direct as a ray Of light, which leads
to the attainment Of that object. Moth
ing but harmony, honesty, industry
and frugality, are necessary to make
us great and happy people. Happily
the present posture OF affairs and the
prevailing disposition Of my country
men, promise to cooperate in estab-
fishing these four great and essential
pillars of public felicity. Z
Such conside atoms as these suggest
the thought that this is time for
honest self-examination. The question
pressed upon us with a demand for
reply that will not be denied: a'Who
among us all, il our hearts are purged |
of misleading impulses and our minds
freed from perverting pride, can be
sure that today the posture of affairs,
and the prevailing disposition of our
countrymen, cooperate in the estab-
.lishment and promotion OF harmony,
honesty, industry and frugality 2"
The self-examination invited by this
days commemoration will be incom-
5plete and superficial, if we are not
thereby forced to the confession that
there are signs Of the times which in
dictate a weakness and relaxation Of 4
our hold upon these saving virtues.
When thus foreWarned, it is the height
OF recreancy for us obstinately to close
our eyes to the needs Of the situation,
and refuse admission to the thought
that evil can overtake US. If we are to
deserve security, we will carefully and
dutifully take our bearings and dis
cover if we can how far wind and tide
have carried us away from safe wa
tiers.
II we find that the wickedness Of de-
structive agitators and the selfish de-
pravity of demagogues have stirred up
discomfort and strife where there.
should be peace and harmony, and
have arrayed against each other inter
ests which should dwell together in
hearty cooperation; if we find that the
old standards of sturdy, uncomprom-
Using American honesty have become
50 corroded and weakened by sordid
/ atmosphere that our people are hardly
startled by crimes in high places and
shameful betrayals of trust every
where; if we find sadly prevalent
disposition among us to turn from the
1 highway of honorable industry into
3 shorter crossroads leading to irrespon-
sible and worthless ease; if we find
that widespread wastefulness and ex-
4 travagance 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
1 Essential pillars Of public felicity,
4 and forthwith endeavor to change our
4 course. b
/ It is our habit to affiliate with polit.
4 icai parties. Happily the strength and
solidity of our institutions can safely
4 Withstand the utmost freedom and act
q witty Of political discussion so far as
+ IT involves the adoption of govern
mental policies or the enforcement Of
y good administration. But they cannot
4 withstand the frenzy of hate which
/ seeks under the guise of political earn
4 estness to blot out American brother.
! hood and to cunningly persuade our
i people that a crusade Of envy and NAL.
4 ice is no more than a jealous insist.
8 ence upon their manhood rights.
! Political parties are exceedingly hu.
man; and they easier fall before temp.
1 tation than individuals, by so much as
partisan success is the law of their
4 life and because their responsibility is
impersonal. 1t is easily recalled that
political organizations have been quite
] willing to utilize gusts of popular
4 prejudice and resentment; and be
! lieve they have been known as mat.
4 ter of shrewd management to encour.
4 age voters to hope for some measure
4 of relief from economic abuses, and
1 yet to Stand pat" on the day appoint.
| ed for realization.
\ We have fallen upon a time when it
behooves every thoughtful citizen
4 whose political beliefs are based on
reason and who cares enough for his
q manliness and duty to save them from
u barter, to realize that the organization
of the party Of his choice needs watch
ing, and that at times it is not amiss
4 critically to observe its direction and
4 tendency. This certainly ought to re-
i suit in our country's gain; and it is
only partisan impud ence that con.
dennis member of political party
4 who on proper occasion submits its
conduct and the loyalty to principle Of
its leaders. to a court Of review, over
which his conscience, his reason, and