Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-14
Words Spoken Vars Ago Apply to the
Situation Today.
ADVICE FOR THE LEGISLATURE
Log Rolling" and Vote Trading Is
but Indirect Bribery.
PLAIN WORDS AT A BANQUET
Dinner of the Young Mems RepubII-
can club of Lincoln Marked ny a
Notecworthy Uttcrancc From
Governor AIdrich.
lFrom a SD correspondentl

iffOm a StaII correspondents
LINCOLN. Feb. l3.-(Special)- THE twcn-
ty-second annual banquet Of the Young
Mems Republican club OF Lincoln brought
from Governor Aldrich a first discussion
Of the presidents policy on Canadian reci-
procity and warm commendation of his
policy Two hundred men were present
was addressed by A. NJ Hare Senator
Kemp, Congressman-elect Sloan and Gov
ernor Aldrich The governor said:
Mr. POSTMASTER and Fellow Republic
ans: on this occasion / want to submit
to you a few observations on progressive
republcanism, and as a text for these re-
marks I want to take the closing sentences
Of a speech delivered on a memorable oc-
cRsion by the first progressive republican
Of America. These words that | am about
to quote we're uttered upon an occasion
and in situation somewhat analogous to
the present day situation that we have in
the Nebraska legislature. Abraham Lin
coin was in the Illinois legislature with
the object and avowed purpose of bring
ing the state capitol from Vandalia to
Springfield He was making headway but
when success seemed almost in sight he
was met with the proposition vote for a
certain measure or we will kill your cap
ital removal bill Several caucuses had
been held and the parties had failed to
bring Lincoln to terms. final meeting
was held and toward the close Of this
caucus Abraham Lincoln arose and in the
majesty Of his manhood at the close of
his speech said:
You may burn my body to ashes and
scatter them 20 the winds of heaven; YOU
may drag my soul down to the regions
of darkness and despair to be tormented
forever, but you will never get me to sup
port measure which l believe to be
wrong, although by so doing | may accom-
plish that which | believe to be right
These elouent words. or these divinely
inspired words are sentiments worthy to
be uttered by the Man of Galiiee, and in
many respects there is a profound analogy
between the Nazarene and Abraham Lin
coin. The Nazarene never compromised
with error, nNver excused a wrong: aEgays
stood out boldly and unaiterably as an
enemy OF wrong. Abraham Lincoln, no
matter what might be the consequence,
never would compromise with wrong even
II by so doing he could succeed in getting
some things that were right
Duty of the LeEisIatOrs.
The sentence above quoted points out
plainly and unequivocally the duty of every
legislature and of every public man; that
Is to say nom easure should pass through
the halls OF congress or a state legislature
save and only on its merits. Would that
every member of the Nebraska legislature
would study and analyze and commit to
memory these words and II my so doing
he could burn these sentences and it's
language so deeply into his soul that he
would only support each measures as had
merit and justice and right on their side.
how infinitely better off the legislature
Of Nebraska would be; how much cost
and trouble and injustice would be saved
in wrong measures being turned down be-
cause they were wrong, and right measures
supported because they were right.
Il do not believe there is a member of
the present legislature who would accent
a dollar for his vote or for his influence;
he is here with right intentions so far as
that is concerned. IL to get a measure
through that is right he lends his vote for
an appropriation for an institution that
costs the state 100000 or more: that is
not needed by the state; that is a burden
upon 1t, and the only reason for II is 10
help some particular locality; in other
words what is termed as "log rolIongr In
the legislature, is wrong I'm principal and
deplorable In practice The practice OF
these methods simply amounts to this II
you will support my measure I will vote
to put your hands down into the pockets
OF the taxpayers Of Nebraska and muict
them IN the sum of 100000 or more to
erect an institution. or put through a
measure that is absolutely wrong and un-
necessary and from a standpoint of busi-
ness should not be tolerated Is this not
doing by indlrection what could be done
by a direct purchase OF vote? In other
words no legislaturer has any moral right
to vote for an appropriation that Is wronR
in principal any more than he has the
right to take money for his influence II
In either case It is the people who suffer
from this wrong and injustice
LiReOIn's Adherence 10 Right.
Abraham Lincoln. like the Nazarene. did
right because Ii was right. and he fought
wrong because Il was wrong. Always the
noted champion OF right and the inveterate
Continued on Fourth Page)