Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-11-28

sirding his loins for the battle, 1T is
their purpose to do the fighting for
him: not for his sake alone, but to
preserve the high traditions which be-
long to the public life of Iowa 1t may
be that It matters very littlet to the SEN
ator and Il is certain tina it will not
matter very long. but they cannot es
cape the conviction that il ma tiers be-
you'd measure to the commonwealth. 1t
is said by some that he has held the Of
fee long enough: that he has no fur
ther claim upon the support OF the
state. If we had fallen so low in Iowa
as to look upon public office as a con-
tribution to the individual who occu
pies it, there might be some force in
this view Of Senat tor !Alison's case for
1t is true that he has been q long time
In Office. but fortunately for the gem
eral welfare there are still those
among us who do not look upon public
office as mere channel through
which the community carries its fav
ors to the office holder. but rather as
seat OF honor from which whoever oc-
cupies it. gives back to the people the
full measure Of his service and devo-
ton. Can it be said that the accnmu-
lated wisdom of Senator .Atlisons eX-
perience is of less value to the Ameri-
can people now than when he first
took the oath as member of congress?
In solemn truth. was there ever
time when American Institutions need
for their guidance the wisdom of such
men as they need 1t now? Are these
times suspicious for the Punishment of
experience from public affairs? While
we sit here, the people of Iowa have
in the colleges and universities of the
country. more than 10000 OF their
young people. A large number of them
are painfully translating out OF a, dead
langua sc little essay which the
pr ms ma "a mr.
ans left him among his papers. and
which their teachers have told them,
IL the most precious fragment left over
from the past When the children
come home for Christmas, would
like you to have them bring that little
book along and read you these words
which Cicero puts into the mouth OF
Marcus Cato: There Ia. therefore.
nothing In the arguments Of those
who say that old age takes no part In
public business. They are like men
who would say that a steersman does
, nothing in sailing q. ship because,
while some OF the crew are climbing
the masts. others hurrying UP and
down the gangway. others pumping
| out bilge water. he Sits quietly in the
stern holding the filler. He does not
! 40 what young men do: nevertheless
he does what is more important and
| better" At th4s nnint hnWA the young
college students stop and read slow
| ly these sentences: The great at
steal strength or activity or nimble-
ness of body but bv elaboration,
character. expression OF opinion. or
these, old age is not only not de-
prived but as a rule has them in 4
greater degree. Unless by chance |
who as a soldier of ranks, as military
4 tribune, as legatee and as counsel have
| arnn IN, ~. ;,,l- -
war. now appear to be Idle because
not actively engaged in war; but en-
join upon the senate what is to be
done and how. And #, these qualities
had not decided In us seniors. our an.
cestors would never have called their
supreme council senate" I am not
| sure that 1t would be bad stroke oi
newspaper enterprise to print thr
!, Whole Of that little essay II for nc
other purpose. to cultivate among on,
| people virtue without which civiliza
J, ton itself declines. that respect fol
age which In the language OF the ole
t Roman is observed among US and II
) other states. always most sednlousl.
Z where the moral tone Is highest
Cites Examples of Other Stat>s.
) Can we afford to do less for Senate
] Allison than Illinois has done for Sen
t ator Callonl. who, although so feebl
3 that he could not attend the session
Of the senate. yet carried nearly ever,
township in the state asains an oppon
4 ent OF unquestfoned popularity? Ar
+ our people less capable OF the hne
a sentiments Of lie than tho people Q
: Vermont who gave to Senator MoT
e r1ll at the age OF sishty-sIx when h
+ was a helpless invalid a final proof c
d their affection? Is there any radios
: difference between our people and til
e people of Maine of Connecticut? On
| M nnh} Sf SIT 10
n the daily entrance into the senat
a chamber Of Senator Vest with pa III
: face leaning upon his crutches an
. supported On either side by two sta
Il wart young men Of Missouri Is thsr
d anybody in Iowa who will not feel thu
Il this state Is made better place
h which To live because our young me
ture, come to the side OF Senator All
J., son. not TO support his tottering foo
steps for he stands erect in bodil
l. vigor sufficient for his labors. but
n ward Off the blows that threa ten
e foll upon his head? The people Of low
: have not grown beyond the need
" Senator AllisOn's counsel. They kno
J., that he Is an old man. but they kno
,a also that he has grown old In the
10 service. They have heard that he h;
~ been sick but they think it is on. a.
,a count OF the burdens he has borne f
y, them. year ago the state OF Al;
ar bama. where the legislature meets on
j. once in four years, was called upon
n choose at the same primary the su
;, cessors Of Senator Morgan and Sci
l. ator Pettus. each Of them past eigh
IN wears Of age. the strength of both lo1
on since turned to labor and sorrow.
A. knew them SO well that l often soug
x the opportunity to sit at their feet a
g. gain the inspiration Of their Views
Re life and duty. Neither Of them dar
or to hope for reelection and it was ca
nd to see the heartache with which tn
ct prepared themselves for the days
I'm forgetfulness. Candidates for the {
s. Ace were numerous and aggressi'
H. but when once the people understo
oh that the AGED senators would appre'
en- ate parting expression Of their con
NJ, dence, 1t required little time for pub
ar opinion TO clear the field that tn
eli might write after these two nam
10 the words SO priced by weary toiit
sd in whatever field. We'll done. go
g. and faithful servants" Is Iowa mt
,e. ally inferior to Alabama? The
,r senator's are now gone out of evel
ms body's way; but Is not the state VIII
- thew loved richer for their spontaneC