The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-10-16

sailed from within or from without
and its free institutions threatened, is
willing not only to sacrifice ms ousl-
ness, but. if need be, also his life for
the preservation of this nation?
This people has little TO fear from
attacks from without. 1t has every
thing to fear from attacks from within.
The direst enemies TO this republic are
right within our own midst. Iheg ar d,
the bride taking public onlcials anu the
bride giving citizens.
If ever this republic falls il will not
be at the hands of foreign foes, but be
cause OF internal enemies, VINO Ior
greed have corrupted the people
Imagine every public office in the ma
tion filled by a SchmitZ or a Gallagher
or a Mike Coffey. and imagine Such as
these retained in public office through
the Unsuitable greed and the powerful
influence of wealthy private cltlzens.
How long think you. would our gov
eminent stand. and how long would
the blessings of civil liberty be ours?
History is plotted all over with ter
rible object lessons which emphasize
the oft repeated story that nation
built upon rottenneSS can no more
stand than can house built upon rot
tenness.
BRIDE GIVERS PUBLIC ENEMIES
Every man then who corrupts pub
lie servant, every public ofnclal VINO
accepts a bribe. are your public enemies
and mine. They are our public enemies
because, if permitted to carry on their
unholy work, the logical end must be
the destruction of our republic. the IN
eVitable result must be that you and l.
your children and nv children and
their children's children will be robbed
of the civil liberties that have been
bought at the cost of the nations best
blood.
Not only are public bride givers and
bride takers public enemies, but thos
who condone such acts or who froWn
I,.-s .l. N y
doors to justice for business or for
other weak kneed reasons are likewise
public enemies They are likewise pub
lie enemies because by condoning such
wrongdoing or by frowning upon the
prosecution of wrongdoing they are
putting a premium upon pubic brlbery
they are encouraging the bride glVeI
and the bride taker; they are AIDING
niciouS notion that it is wrong TO ron
one of the people. but not so very
wrong to rob all the people.
Such as these seem to forget, even
as a matter of mere greed. that with
corruption once intrenched in the pub
lie saddle, not only viii all unlaWtul
undertakings become victims of offlcla
backmai but even the most respec-
table and lawful business enterprise
will find itself at the mercy of in
satiable, corrupt pubic officials. China
Turkey. offer object lessons
along these liz tlese countries
there are but ses the official
squeezers and al! st OF the people
who are squeezed.
DUTY OF ALL CITIZENS
Let the American public bride givel
and bribe taker once feel that there
is little likelihood of punishment fol
lowing public bribery, and the da!
must soon be at hand when the Untef
! states will find itself in the same class
! with the unfortunate countries named
So far as L have been able to fin'
out the graft prosecution has not hur
| business, but even If ii had ser1ousl.
duty and my duty and the duty o
every other lover and well wisher o
| hands of those who are fighting your
battle and my battle in an effort L
bring public wrong doors TO justice
| and thus prevent harm from comlnt
10 the republic. Let the good work g
on. Very truly yours,
H. WEINSTOCK.