The Alaska citizen., 1910-07-30

a toast, as follows.
 The signs and portents of the time are all certainly most encour- aging 10 those who believe that the Democratic party can be serviceable to the country at this juncture of Its affairs. It would seem that every where the thought of men who are anxious for the welfare of the couu- try Is turning against the present policies and purposes of the Re publican party and that the day when the Democratic party must take charge of affairs is almost at hand. But il would be great mis- take to consider these circumstances as merely party opportunity.
 The success of a party is not the thing which should be first in our thoughts. but the service of the country. These signs of chang ing public opinion should not make us eager for office. but eager for an opportunity to see the principles We believe ill realized in action. Above all, they should lead us 10 re-eXam- inc those principles. and to assure ourselves very definitely what it is that we believe. and to ask how our beliefs can be made most serv- iceable in correcting errors of pol icy and initiating measures which will meet the obvious and immedi- ate needs of the day.
 The fact that our opportunity is al hand makes our duty the thing that We should principally consider The great governments of this coun' try, State and nation, do not exist for the purpose of affording oppOr- tunities to those Democrats or those Republicans who desire to hold Of flee. but the Democratic and Re publican parties alike are intended for the service of the nation II would be very uncomfortable to look forward 10 the responsibilities of success if We did not know what We were to do with it when it came
 Tn order to determine this all important question, we must remind ourselves that our duty is ot the present and the future We are not old men look ing over our shoulders, recalling past difficulties, shouting old slogans fretting over old jealousies and div isions, but men of our own day looking forward, looking about us studying the needs and circumstan ces of the nation as d whole, and seeking an opportunity to make our counsels heard in the affairs of the country We love.
 At least this is what l myself believe, and We shall in the next few months and years be able tc prove whether it is true or not. Let me suggest one interesting proof It will. to my mind, be proved il the young men of the country begin 10 crowd into our ranks and recruit our forces. The young men of the country are not interested in ole disputes and rivalries and Varetie! of counsel; they want to know wha We are going to do now and Wha we promise for the future, wha hope We offer them in their careers not as politicians, but as men O business, interested in every affail that the future is to disclose. They will be more interested in our pro grams than in our promises. They will expect to see the carrying ou of our programs put in the hands O men whom they can reasonably ex pect to carry them out. They vii look beyond our professions to oul actions. If they come to us, w' may be sure that the future is our! and that the Democratic party Is tht real choice of the nation.
 Democracy's Standards.
 Let us ask ourselves first, then what our standards are. Why do w assure ourselves that we can advis' and lead the country better thai the Republicans can? What are th' items of our creed that We should have confidence in it's efficacy ant believe that it will lift us into poWe and enable us to make worthy us' of the power when We get it? Olt formulas will serve us very i'll. in deed, in answering this question We must forget what the books sa. of us as a party and must ask our selves what we say of our owl real beliefs, what it is that put hope in us and makes us eager t serve with disinterested publi spirit?
 My own answer to these searcf ing questions would be, in the frs place, that we have profound an abiding confidence in the peopl themselves. The Republican part has sought to serve the nation b showing it's confidence in those wh are the most conspicuous leaders i the countrys business and of it economic development. Whateve their thought may have been, thei