Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1910-04-27
THREE FINE ORATIONS
THAT FAILED TO WIN
CONTINUED from Page Two.)

recOurceS are SO nearly depleted
Because they were wasted, becsr' t
they are beilg wasted. They are
controlled by individuals or mono
poles who exercise their power tc
their own advantage. The owners art
working for their own interests and
not for the people. They control
the streams and thousands OF horse.
power go to waste which could
De used at great advantage. In
the past we have let the future take
care of itself, but the time has come
for change. 1t will not be true to
its ideals and the justice prescribed
for it. We are at the critical point
in our history. The third crisis of
this nations life is before us. We
are strong and have reached a place
far beyond the hopes of the founders
of this republic but we have reached
place of decision whether
that nation shall live and endure
through ages to come or perish as
did ancient Greece and Rome.
Equal rights to all men was the
purpose Of this nation in organizing
q democracy. And ever since 1t
was organized we have been
struggling to maintain those rights.
The revolution had its origin in
part in economic causes and it also
produced economic results. The
civil war arose in large part out of
economic conditions and 1t also had
economic consequences. But in each
case there was a more compelling
and vital reason. Equal rights OF
the people led our fathers and fore
fathers into battle and right not
might was triumphant. So with
the question of conserving the
natural resources. 1t has an
economic aspect of great import
ance but it does not end with being
a question of profit. 1t is more.
1t Is question of right and wrong,
of national duty and patriotism
We must fight for them. And the
fight is on. The question of con-
serving the natural resources is be-
fore the American people to day
Even in the present administration
the people have been forced to take
sides. The decisive factor is: Are
we going to look at 1t as a states
man, comprehensively aud com
paraEively, or are we going TO deal
with the problem as minor detail!
Conservation means the sen sole
control of national forests, the
replacing of trees to maintain Il
supply. 1t means equal opportunity
IN acquiring coal lands and control
of OUT put and of prices charged,
with proper royalty to government
30 that all may reap benefits. 1t
means control of waterpower and
the development of arid lands by
irrigation SO that people and not
individuals will receive benefits.
We are coming to recognize as
never before the right of nation
to guard it's own future in this
essential matter of resources. The
present state OF affairs cannot exist
longer. A change must be made
AS people. we have the right and
the duty second to none other of
protecting ourselves and our chill
dIen against wasteful development
OF our resources. Just as every
right thinking father earnestly
strives and desires to leave his son
ad uutarnished name and a reason
able equipment for life so should
this nation as whole strive and
desire TO leave to the next genera
ton the national honor upstained
and the national resources uneX
hausted. How can we make our
selves and our children most happy,
most vigorous, most efficient and
our civilization the highest and
most inf1uential9 Is it not the duty
of the nation to answer this ques.
ton in the spirit of wisdom and
prudence? Let us find out what
resources we have, how they can be
used and how best preserved. Above
all let us bear in mind that this ma
ton must not end in fifty or five
hundred years.
We are just beginning a national
history the end of which we cannot
see but for the good of humanity
progress demands that it endure.
We may pass along lines we follow
ed, exhaust our resources, continue
to let the future take care of itself;
or we may protect them, the simple
obvious common sense thing in the
the interest of the nation.
Upon our decision hangs the vel
fare of those who cone after us.
Whatever success we may have in
other lines of national endeavOr,
BEND and below them all is this
fundamental problem. Are we
going to protect our springs of
prosperity, shall we let those who
come after us live in flourishing
country full of all that makes men
happy, strong and effective, or shall
they live IN country like the out
worn regions of the earth which
other nations have possessed
l appeal to the American citizen,
to every voter In the state OF Wis
cOnSin. to that man who has anv