Evening journal., 1909-06-16

il' laws remain unCnanRco. moral ana
intellectual Improvement OF men means
a betterment in government, irrespec-
tive Of changes I'm the laws. Therefore
the duty resting upon a college man TO
participate In the affairs OF such gov
ernments as ours whether they be mum
iclpal. state or federal. is the greater
because of his equipment and prepared
ness. And this is especially true when |
Il is considered that our government, |
excellent as Il is is in practice some- |
what different from what It is in prin-
ciple.
That the business OF government Is
everybody's business. in which every
body participates. is the counsel OF
perfection upon which a democracy is
founded
That in the governments business.
each individual records his judgment by
his vote. and that the result Is the
sum OF the intelligence OF the majority
is more ideal than real
That this is a government OF the peo-
pie. where each man rules. is an acade-
mic statement Of the principles under
lying our constitution, rather than a
correct description OF real conditions.
In the conceptions of a pure democ-
racy, based upon equality we some
times overlook the force Of dominant
individuals, and the extent OF their in
fuence for good or evil upon the body
polite. Therefore If we eliminate from
the maiorltles that govern, those who
are ignorant OF their countrys busi-
ness. and those who are Indifferent and
selfish and merccnary, concerning TO-
we are forced to arrive at Mr. Bice's
conclusion. that-"There Is only ono
kind OF government--govern by
the few"
II you know political history, or if
YOU know practical politics. Il matters
not whether the government Is called
an autocracy or a democracy-in actual
practice. the few govern. While the
majority controls the minority a few
control the majority. A majority is
never right simply because IT contains
a larger number than the minority. and
II Is generally wrong. regardless Of its
number until II Is taught by COM
parative few 20 be right
Therefore. I say TO you college men.
who have received your education and
equipment for citizenship. partly at the
hands of your state and partly as a gift
from the Nation. that Il Is your duty
TO be numbered among the few. who
direct the thought and control the acts
OF the vast numbers into whose keeping
are placed the destinies Of this state
and country. This duty is in direct
proportion to the education Of yom
minds and morals. You cannot as men
shirk Il. You have no right TO limit
your endcavor 20 your individual vote.
as mere atoms in the millions that max,
up the government You have no righ
TO limit your influence 20 your single
votes. for II matters not with wha
Intelligence you cast them their effec
will be lost in the vast current tina
sweeps by on election day. do no
urge you to take up politics as a bust
ness. for il Is a poor business. ! d.
not urge you TO become statesmen. 70
you will find many who are willing ant
few who are needed TO enlist In tina
calling But / urge you. in. your dali
work whether on the farm. In factories
mills or Offices. that you bring 10 bea
upon those with whom you work. tn
influence of your training. so that go
may contribute 20 the soundness an
lcleanness OF the government of you
of your schol district
Do not await political perferment be
fore performing the duties OF citizen
ship. but as a plain citizen. wherevs
4 you see error. correct Il; when you Sd
\ corruption. stamp IL out; when va
r see great wrongs. make great effor
to check them. when your foot
shod. crush the thorn says the Ia
mud. and the cracking Of the thor
as II IS crushed in the path Of dui
will become sweet music In your eai
and impart cheerfulness. as the shad
ows lengthen on your downward path
8 While there is much wickedness an
error I'm this world. and while there
= much 10 be made better I would M
have you think from these sombre r.
Elections. that this is a bad world. an
urge you never to call IL a sad worl
- though the sadness is even truer tina
i the badness. 1 would rather you wou
l. call ii a glad world. for TO those WI
are elevated by high conceptions
duty and exalted by the consciousne
Of duty done, this world Is indeed fu
s. OF Joy.
RI Upon the day OF my graduation. wh'
to me all nature smiled and the futu
X. years seemed fun of promise. an alum
rs nus somewhat sobered my high spiri
o. by saying TO me-"You had better ei
nd JOY yourself today. as you will n
in be so important again in thirty yeaI
1 It takes about that time for man
IL gain sense and amount 10 anything
h.. That was the day when. I'm gener
no opinion, youth meant childhood un
nj, old age was attained. Since then q
to pendulum has swung to the other e
ed treme. and today It is the fashion
ce, assert that young blood and hot bio
an can alone lead an army sail a fleet al
I'm save the country
he II is fair to assert that there is err
Int in both Of these notions. on the o
en- hand I would not have you feel IN
ht, you will have TO await maturity to re
his the reward Of youthful endeavor. VIII
MS on the other hand. 1 would not ha
We you believe that the period Of your a
lst complishments will be limited 20 {
period OF youth. ! would rather ha
MS YOU feel that the rewards of labor a
bv Of duty we'll done come presently, a
bis that the rewards grow as the yes
his increase.