Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1911-11-24

entirely on the law which majority
Of the people make for themselves.
The reign Of law means the rule Of
the people. The moral revolution
that is now sweeping over the land
is merely a revival of the rule of
the people.
The welfare Of the city or state
should always be the first and high
est consideration. Some of you
may belong to this party = some
may belong to that party, but all
should be patriots. BE patriots be-
fore you are anything else. The
people eth average voter, you and
|. are responsible for the future Of
this government. If the American
republic is to survive. It must be
saved by the efforts of the patriotic
citizens who want nothing for them
selves but the advantages that
accrue from the general public
veal.
am not an alarmist, and | do
not believe that the United States
Of America will cease TO exist as a
republic today or tomorrow. We
have lasted for one hundred and
thirty-six years-a long time when
compared with the average period
of one mans public activity. but
short in the history of nations.
1T is not enough TO be merely
honest. the good citizen should be
aggressive in his opposition to graft
and corruption. Law breakers have
nothing to fear from passive oppo-
sition, but they must yield to active
and aggressive fighters. We need
more fighters in the army Of peace.
We must fight for everything worth
having, we must fight against
everything bad. The farmer must
not only be personally opposed TO
weeds, but he must cut them down
and make an active warfare against
them or his crop will be ruined. In
governmental affairs the same rela-
tions exist between good and evil as
between the useful grain that must
be sown and cared for, and worth
less thistles and weeds that will
spring up of their own accord, any
where. A neglected government
will no more become good than a
neglected field will grow corn and
wheat.
There are no necessary evils in
government.
Good government depends more
upon the man behind the law than
upon the law itself. The law is
merely the weapon for the officials
to use, and without officials laws
would be as useless as cannons in
war without men. When an official
takes his oath to enforce the law,
he has no right TO violate this oath
and excuse the non-enforcement Of
certain laws because they are, or
seem to be unpopular. Sentiment
may be against the enforcement of
some law, but an official does not
take an oath to support public SEN
timent, he does take an oath to
enforce the law.
THE only correct way to deter
mine public sentiment is to be guid.
ed by the expression of the peoples
will thru the law making body
When a law is passed 1t must be as
sumed it is what the people want
and it should be enforced until the
people demand and secure III
repeal. What may seem to be pub
/, lie sentiment is often the clamor Of
, the lawless who have selfish inter
: est In violating the law.
s Civic evils cannot exist wher'
e the public conscience is aroused.
Much has been done for goo'
!, government during the past few
e wears. But we should not be con
G tent with what has been done il
K the fight against public evils. Their
q Is plenty Of work yet to be done
States, like men, should never b
= satisfied. but should ever strive TO
+ higher development. The man wh