Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-09-25

to realize in his work. His pen must
be free that he may scatter seed
thoughts to the uttermost parts Of
the earth and leave to posterity q
record of his work. He finds in gov.
ernment the cheapest, as well as
the surest, protection of this liberty,
to be, to think, to speak, to act.
And what constitutes the pursuit
Of happiness? Man must have home
and friends-family and society. He
must have food or he will starve. He.
must have clothing and shelter; he
must have books, he must have in
struments with which to work. He.
must provide during the period Of
strength for the years when age dulla
his energies and benumbs his hands.
He may have ambition, he may have
the willingness TO work and an
environment that spurs him on;
but the government may encour.
age or 1t may discourage his ef.
forts. Government may bid him hope
or leave him to despair.
When l visited the valley Of Jordan
/ learned that 1t is fertile and pro-
ductive, and yet, instead Of being
cultivated like the valley OF the Nile,
vast stretches Of territory lie until
ed. Why? I was told that under the
reign Of the Sultan the toiler Is
not protected in the enjoyment Of
the fruits of his toll. II the farmer
plants and tends his crop, the rov.
ing Bedouins will sweep down from
the hills at harvest time and carry
away the fruits Of his industry.
II the government does not assure
to the individual the enjoyment Of
the result of his effort, there is no
stimulus to industry.
We have the best government on
earth. 1t gives the largest liberty,
the greatest hope and the most en-
couragement to the citizens, and
yet, even in this country, it is always
necessary to be on the watch to keep
the instrumentalities Of government
from being turned to private gain.
One of the great problems OF to-
day is TO secure an equitable dlstri-
button of the proceeds of toll. The
material wealth of this country Is
largely a joint product; in factories
few people work alone, and on the
farm a certain amount Of cooperation
is necessary. Where men work togeth.
er, the army organization applies to
some degree; that Is, some direct
others are directed. 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 largely by the cap
tains, 1t is not unnatural that they
should magnify their part and appro-
pirate too large share; neither Is
1t unnatural that there should be
complaint on the part Of the toilers
who think that their recompense 10
insufficient.
The labor question, therefore, as
it presents itself at this tipe, is chief
ly a question Of distribution, and
the legislation asked for is legislation
which will secure to each that to
which his services entitle him. AS
Legislation is secured through the bal
lot every one should use the ballot to
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 Dem
ocratic party proclaims that each in
dividual should receive from society
a reward for his toll commensurate
with his contribution to the welfare
Of society, and unless some other par
ty can do the work better, the Demo
cratic party ought to have the support
Of all, whether they belong to the
wageearning class or occupy posi-
tions in which they direct the efforts
of others. II an officer In the indus
trial army we're sure that his child
rem and his children's children would
\ inherit his position, he might feel pos
sibly indifferent as to those under
his command, but the children Of
those who today, work for wages may
employ the children Of those who. In
this generation, are employers. This
uncertainty as to future generations,
as well as our sense Of justice should
lead US to make the government
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 government
Is permannet and We cannot serve
posterity better than BY contributing
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