Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-10-14

sons of America have done whet
such events come to memory that al
least, I should always be found stand
Ing on the side OF liberty and justice
to all, and unswervable opposition to
the oppressor.
As years passed and had reached
the back row of seats In our dear
old country school, and read in our
ancient history lessons how the cities
of ancient Greece we're prosecuted by
her tyrants, Eddy O'Nell still hurled
at us his favorite defamation in a
manner that would have put even
Patrick Henry TO shame, thus keeping
us stirred up In the cause OF liberty.
With such sentiments in my mind, !
would ask the teacher: "Why did
the brave, free people OF Greece sub
NIT TO tyranny? Why did they not
like the American patriots rise with
the cry of Give me liberty, or give
me DEATH and drive the usurper
from this land?" No one could answer
my query.
Can you give me a reason for the
apathy and Indifference OF the Amer
lean free men. the descendants of
the patriots of the revolution? why
we let bosses, corporations and trusts
control us, and Insldlously but surely
deprive us OF all our Independence
enslave us as were the ancient
Greeks?
Sir, years have passed since have
heard Eddy o'Neil's stirring recita-
tion, and /, like others, have grown
Indifferent TO the cause OF liberty,
but a quotation from our great gov
ernor's speech at the Coos Bay con-
gress. has awakened some OF my boy
hood feelings. The governor is re-
ported TO have been asked why he
called on Hartman insteal OF walt
ing for Hartman to- call on him.
His answer as have It. was: "That
he would crawl on his knees for Ave
miles OF railroad for Oregon" Ye
Godsl Has II come to pass that we
must crawl for n rallroadl
The ancient Jew submitted 10 have
his ear pierced against the doorpost
as an evidence OF his slavery; and
he was not ashamed OF Il. Holy Writ
does not record that one OF the crav-
ems killed his Goliath or slew his
thousands with the jawbone Of an
ass, Is the spirit of Pinkney dead
within us; Millions for defense, not
one cent for tribute"
Who Is this God of whom onr gov.
ernor would ask favor on bendeJ
knee2 Has he a patent on railroad
building? Is there not brain and
Drawn enough In oregon 10 build our
own railroads? What Is II bids the
governor hope this modern tyrant
win build even the Ave miles OF rail-
roadg Is Il that invidlous smile that
followed him as he backed down the
steps Of the magnate's private coach? ?
Holland wrote; otis a great thing.
| think 20 be a man Men fells the
forest, ploughs and tills the fields and
heaps the granary that feeds the
world, AZ his hehest swift commerce
spreads her wings, and tires the
slnewey sea-bird as she flies. Smoke
created cities rise beneath his hanc
and ring the ages with the din %
trade, Steam Is the fleet-winged
herald OF his will. Joining the Angel
of the Apocalypse, mid sound and
smoke aud wondrous elreum tanee T"
Proelaiming It's great thing to
be man, are there none OF the tribe
OF which Holland so beautifully
wrote in oregon, that we must go
to Hartman for a permit that smoke
created cities may rise and hourisL
In our midst? Must we wait tin he
saws "Now yCu may ship a few car
loads before the grain heaped IN
our granarie7 may be sent 10 the
marts of a hungry world? What m
duees our governor 10 believe another
railroad would help us even II our
would graelously and lovingly
give Il 10 usg II seems TO me that
sometime, some where, I saw pic
ture Of slave owner standing on the
broad yeranda OF his beautiful man
sion on Christmas morning. and as