Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-11-19

Does anyone believe that the
American people will permanently
permit secrecy as to campaign
contributions? Does anyone be-
heve that the American people
will permanently permit the will
of the voters to be thwarted, as it
is now, by the election of senators
through legislatures? Does any
one believe that the trusts will be
permitted to permanently exploit
the masses? Does anyone be-
lieve that the consumer will per-
manently permit the tariff to be
written by the benefciaries of the
tariff? Does anyone believe that
the public will permanently toler-
ate arrangement between labor
and capital? Does anyone be-
lieve that the fifteen millions of
depositors will forever permit
their savings to be jeopardized as
at present? Does anyone believe
that the extravaganza of the gov
ernment will go on forever un-
che cked? Does anyone believe
that our republic will permanently
consent to a colonial policy with
its humiliations and financial bur-
dens? There must be a party
representing the peoples protest
against wrong in high places,
against corruption in politics and
against the oppression of the
struggling masses; and the dem
ocratic party must continue its
fight or dissolve. 1t could not exist
as a plutocratic party.
During the last twelve years the
democratic party has accomplish
ed more out of power than the re-
publican party has accomplished
in office, and this is a sufficient
reward for those who fight for a
righteous cause. 1t would have
been pleasant to have been able
to reward worthy democrats with
official positions, but the most
worthy of the democrats T not
looking for official positions, they
are looking for good government,
and they labor unselfishly for the
promotion of good government.
They will neither be discouraged
nor dismayed by defeat. They
can not cease to be interested in
the government, for Indifference
would only invite worse abuses
than those from which we now
suffer. The fight must be con-
tinued because a good govern
ment is the richest legacy that a
parent can leave to a child.
AS for myself, let no one worry
about my future. The holding of
Office is a mere incident in the life
of those who are devoted to re-
forms. The reform is the essen
tial thing. If one can advance re-
forms by holding office, then the
holding of office is j%ustifiable; if
one can best advance reforms as
a private citizen, then the holding
of Office is undesirable. The
world owes me nothing; | have
been abundantly compensated for
what | have been able to do. My
life will not be long enough to re-
pay the people for their support,
and for the confidence which they
have expressed. My gratitude to
those with whom | have labored
surpasses language and the days
of the future will be devoted to
work in the interest of the people
as | understand that interest, and
in behalf of those reforms which
seem to me to be the best. | in
vite the cooperation of those who
approve, and | shall not be deterr-
ed by criticism of those who
disapprove. With an abiding
faith in the triumph of the truth
and an unfaltering confidence in
the righteousness of our cause, ]
speak this word of encouragement
to those who call themselves
friends. | shall keep step with
them and march on. The meas
ure of our work can not be taken in
a day. If we r right, as | be-
lieve we are, it will vindicate US
if we contribute, as l believe We
are contributing, to a cause tina
is founded in justice, our efforts
will weigh in the final victory.
"Yea, though thou lie upon the dust,
When they who helped thee flee in fear,
Die full of hope and manly trust,
Like those who fell in battle here.
Another hand thy sword shall WELD,
+ Another hand the standard wave,
Till from the trumpet's mouth is pealed,
The blast of triumph DER the grave"
! Buy your furniture from US. w,
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