Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-09-08

When | visited the valley of Jordan
| learned that it is fertile and product
i've. and yet, instead of being cult
waited like the valley of the Nile, vast
of territory lie untitled. Why?
l was told that under the reign of the
sultan the toiler is not protected in
the enjoyment of the fruits of his toll.
If the farmer plants and tends his
crop, the roaving Bedouins will sweep
down from the hills al harvest time
and carry away the fruits of his in
justry.
If the government does not assure
to the individual the enjoyment of the
result of his effort. there is no slim
illus TO industry.
We have the best government on
earth. 1t gives the largest liberty,
the greatest hope and the most en-
enlargement to the citizens, and yet,
even in this country, it Is always nee
essary to be on the watch 10 keep
the instrumentalities IF government
from being turned to private gain.
One of the great problems OF today
is to secure an equitable distribution
| wealth of this country is largely
joint product; in factories few people
work alone, and ON the farm a certain
amount of cooperation is necessary.
Where men work together, the army
organization applies to some degree;
that is, some direct. Others are direct
cd The difficulty has been to divide
| the results fairly between the captains
of Industry and the privates in the
ranks. AS the dividing is done large
| " by the captains, it is not unnatural
| that they should magnify their part
and appropriate too large share;
neither is it unnatural that there
should be complaint on the part of the
others who think that their recon-
ipense is insufficient The labor ques-
ton. therefore, as it presents itself
at this time, is chiefly question of
distribution. and the legislation asked
for is legislation which will secure
to each that to which his services en-
title him. AS legislation is secured
through the ballot every one should
use the ballot 10 obtain the legislation
necessary. The democratic platform
/, presents the ideal toward which the
, democratic party is striving. namely,
: justice in the distribution of rewards.
The democratic party proclaimj that
each individual should receive from
society a reward for his Toll common
suratc with his contribution to the
welfare of society. and unless some
| other party can do the work better,
: the democratic party ought 10 have
: the support of all, whether they be-
, long to the wage-earning class or Oc-
? cupy positions in which they direct
f the efforts of others. If an officer in
S the industrial army were sure that his
t children and his children's children
, would inherit his position. he might
. feel possibly Indifferent as to those
Y under his command. but the children
S Iof those who, today. work for wages
s may employ the children of those who,
e in this generation. are employers.
e This uncertainty as to future genera
D tions. as well as our sense of justice,
/ should lead us 10 make the govern
(. ment as nearly perfect as possible.
!, for a good government is the best
( legacy that a parent can leave TO his
:, child. Riches may take the wings of
the morning and fly away. but gov
eminent is permanent. and We cannot
f serve posterity better tnan by con-
| tribuiing to the perfection of the gov
{ ernment that each child born into
{ the world may feel that ii has here
t an opportunity for the most complete
s development. and chance to secure
e through service. the largest possible
e happiness and honor.