The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-09-11
PLEA FOR MORE POLITICS
MADE BY CHAMP CLARK
CONTINUED from Page onso

rotten not only put improper idea
into the heads of our own people ant
! OF our ohn children, but has a woefu
effect on the immigrants coming To GU
shores at the rate OF more than a mil
lion per annum TO be assimilated by IA
and to be formed and fashioned into
American citizens. They came hithei
because Of the opportunity TO improve
their condition and To enjoy the bless
ings of our free institutions. They
look To America as a sort of heaven on
earth. They have been taught at home
TO regard this as the best government
on earth-which il is. What must be
their establishment and regret then 10
hear and to read as soon as they land
on our shore that all public men are
corrupt that the voters are venal and
the government rotten TO the core. AS
certain as a gun is made OF iron, that
must have a bad and demoralizing eff
feet upon them. 1t is bad and sad
lesson I'm preparing themselves for the
onerous and important duties Of Amer
lean citizenship.
Most Public Men Honest.
They should be taught that our
theory Of government is the best ever
devised by the wit of man; that the
vast majority Of American voters of all
parties are absolutely honest; that the
majority OF public men are of high
character and patriotic: that the cor
ruptionlsts are only the exceptions,
which prove the rule; that the voters
of the land, without regard to politi-
cal preference or affiliation are more
and more demanding perfect integrity
as a condition precedent TO a public
career; that they are Cng1g ed I'm the
self-appointed and patriotic cndeavor
OF bringing ali governmental functions
closer TO the great body of the people;
and that the concensus Of opinion
among honest folks i'm this country is
that the only proper home for corrupt
officials is the penitentiary That's the
truth, and it ought to be preached in
cessantly 10 our own people and to
these newcomers into our midst. 1
have no sort of patience with these
pessmists and marplots who go about
preaching the utter and universal Vile
ness of American citizens.
Clark an optimist.
Il have gone into the subject some
what in extreme not to cover any mans
sins, nor to offer a plea in migration
for sinners, but because it has appear
ed to me that there arc many pessi-
mists in the land and that the inds-
criminate defamation Of public men
must have inevitably such a delerious
effect upon the boys and girls who
must soon take our place. that some
body who can get a hearing should
the palpable and mischiev-
Gus SANDER that all public men are
corrupt.
Il do not believe. for one moment,
that the country is going to what Mr..
was wont TO denominate as
The demonition bow vows | am an
optimist, not a pessimst. 1t is better
10 look upon the bright side of things
han the dark. A jubllate is more
pleasant than a mlserere. II surely
must be that ninety-three million Am
orleans, habituated to free institutions
will not permit those institutions to
perish from the earth.
1T is great and glorious privilege
% be a Missourian, but the greatest
and most glorious privilege vouchsafed
o ms is to be Americans. with all the
proud recollections, fond hopes and
high aspirations of Americans"