Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-22
CLEVELAND PLEADS
FOR CONSERVATISM
Continued from Page one.)

CONTINUED from Page One.)
tons beginning than to its develop
ment and durability His faith In God,
and the fortitude of his faith. taught
those for whom he wrought that the
surest strength of nations comes from
the support of Gods almighty arm. His
universal and unaffected sympathy
with those in every sphere of American
life. his thorough knowledge Of exist
ing American conditions and his Won
derful foresight of those yet to be,
coupled with his powerful influence in
the counselss of those who were 10
make or mar the fate Of an infant ma
ton, made him a tremendous factor in
the construction and adoption of the
constitutional chart by which the
course of the newly launched republic
could be safely sailed. And it was he
who first took the helm and demon
strated for the guidance of all who
might succeed him, how and In what
spirit and intent. the responsibilities of
our chief magistracy should be dis
charged.
If your observances Of this day We're
intended to make more secure the i'm
mortal fame of Washington, or to add
to the strength and beauty of his i'm
perishable monument built upon a ma
tons affectionate remem brance, your
purpose would be useless Washing
ton has no need OF you. But in every
moment from the time he drew his
sword In the cause of American inde-
pendence to this hour. living or dead
the American people have needed him.
1t is not important now nor will 1t be
in all the coming years, to remind our
countrymen that Washington has
lived and that his achievements In his
country's service are above all praise
But 1t is important-and more impor-
tant now than ever before-that they
should clearly apprehcnd and ade-
quately value the virtues and ideals
of which he was the embodiment, and
should realize how essential to our
safety and perpetuity, are the conse-
Grafton and patriotism which he exem-
plitied. The American people need to-
day the example and teachings of
Washington no less than those who
fashioned our nation needed his la
bors and guidance.
THE self-eXamination 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 in
dictate weakness and relaxation Of
our hold upon these saving 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 admission to the thought
that evil can overtake us. II we are
to deserve security, we will carefully
and dutifully take our bearings and
discover il we can how far wind and
tide have carried US away from safe
waters.
IF we find that the wickedness of
destructive agitators and the selfish
depravity of demagogues have stirred
up discomfort and strife where there
should be peace and harmony and have
arrayed against each other interests
which should dwell together in hearty
cooperation; If we find that the old
standards of sturdy, uncompromising
American honesty have become so cor
roded and weakened by sordid at
mosphere that our people are hardly
startled by crimes in high places and
shameful betrayals of trust every
where: IL we find sadly prevalent
disposition among US to turn from the
highway of honorable industry into
shorter crossroads leading to ire
sponsible and worthless ease; if we
find that widespread wastefulness and
extravaganza have discredited the
wholesome frugality which was once
the pride of Americanism, we should
recall Washington's admonition that
harmony. industry and frugality are
essential pillars of public felicity and
forthwith endeavor to change our,
course
ut is our habit to affiliate with po-
litcal parties. Happily the strength
and solidity of our institutions can
safely Withstand the utmost freedom
and activity of political discussion so
far as it involves the adoption of gov
ernmental policies or the enforcement
of good administration. But they cam
not withstand the frenzy of hate which
seeks under the guise of political earn
estness to blot out American brother
hood and to cunningly persuade our
people that crusade of envy and mall
ice is IlO IuOIS lIltlIl q ACcdlOuS lIISlSl.
ence upon their manhood rights.
1'Political parties are exceedingly
human; and they easier fall before
temptation than individuals, by so
much as partisan success is the law
of their life and because their respons
Utility is impersonal. 1t is easily re-
called that political organizations have
been quite willing to utilize gusts of
popular prejudice and resentment; and
I believe they have been known as
matter of shrewd management to en-
courage voters to hope for some meas
ure of relief from economic abuses.
and yet to stand pat on the day ap-
pointed for realization.
1--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