The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-22

not thereby forced 70 the confession
that there are signs OF the times
which indicate weakness and relax
ation Of our hold upon these saving
virtues. When thus forewarned, it
is the height of recreancy for us OBJ
stinately 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 de-
serve security, we will carefully and
dutifully take our bearings and dis
cover II we can how far wind and
tide have carried US away from safe
waters.
Agitators Denounced.
If we find that the wickedness Of
destructive agitators and the selhsl
deprayity of demagogues have stirred
up discomfort and strife where there
should be peace and harmony and
have arrayed against each other in
terests which should dwell together
in hearty cooperation; IL we find that
the old standards of sturdy. uncom-
promising American honesty have be-
come so corroded and weakened by a
sordid atmosphere that our people
people are hardly startled by crimes
in high places and shameful betray-
ais of trust everywhere; If we find a
sadly prevalent disposition among
US to turn from the highway of hon
orable. industry into shorter cross
roads leading to irresponsible and
worthless ease; if we find that wide
spread wastefulness and extraya-
gance have dfscredited the whole
some frugality which was once the
pride of Americanism. we should re-
cali Washington's admonition that
harmony, industry, and frugality are
essential pillars of public felicity"
and forthwith endeavor to, change
our course.
II is our habit to affiliate with poll
tical parties. Happily the strength
and solidity of our institutions can
safely Withstand the utmost freedom
and activity of political discussion SO
far as 1t 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
American brotherhood and to cum.
ningly persuade our people that a
crusade of envy and malice is no
more than a Jealous insistence upon
their manhood rights.
Political Parties Human.
Political parties are exceedingly
human; and they easier fan before
temptation than individuals, by SO
much as partisan success is the law
of their life and because their re-
sponslbility 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, and yet
to stand pat" on the day appointed
for realization.
We have fallen upon a time when
it behooves every thoughtful citizen
whose political beliefs are based on
reason and who cares enough 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 It's
direction and tendency. This Ger.
tainly ought to result In our coun.
try's gain; and it is only partisan i'm.
pudence that condemns member Of
political party. who on proper oc.
casion submits Its conduct and the
loyalty to principle of Its leaders, to
court of review, over which his
conscience, his reason and his poIiti.
cal understanding preside.
I protest that / have not spoken
in spirit of pessimism. have and
enjoy my full share of the pride and
exuitation which our country's ma.
terial advancement SO fully justiaes.
Its limitless resources, its astonishing
growth, its unapproachable indus
trial development, and It's irrespon.
sible inventive genius have made It
the wonder OF the centuries. sI-z
The land we live in seems to be
strong and active. But how fares
the land that lives in us? Are we