Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1912-04-18

often until midnight. Much OF tne
force has worked throughout all
these hours. II there is any
criticism II may be honestly
charged that have overworked
the executive office force. Personally
i have given every moment OF my
/ time since | have been elected to the
state and shall continue to do SO un-
| til the expiration of my term. / have
not given a minutes attention to my
| personal or private business affairs.
IL has been a pleasure to do this. /
have enjoyed the work of the Cover
norship so far and expect TO continue
to be happy in II. | have even had
, real pleasure in the frictions OF the
office. There is great satisfaction In
fighting for principles or what one
thinks are principles. There is even
much to be gained from being mis-
understood and criticized 1t strength
ems ones fibre and makes him more
circumspect.
| have fought hard and uncompr0m-
isingly, but without anger or malice,
for what my judgment and convic-
tons tell me is the welfare of Michi-
gan Those whom ] strove to dis
lodge-mercenaries. parasites, vicious
citizens, largely an outgrowth OF con-
ditions provoked by careless citizen
ship-have fought back with some
determination. If ! have inflicted any
personal wounds ] hope they are not
more sore than are the slight scratch
es that have been given me, all of
which healed by first intention
could have taken the easy pathway
of least resistance and fioated through
two terms of the governorship like a
derelict i'm a dead stream. Or | could
have built a machine and pursued old
fashioned deceitful subterranean,
dark-lantern burglarious, predatory
politics If have been confusing to
many 1t is because ! have been open,
above-hcaJ, direct, honest and inde-
pendent thinking not of party, Of
self. or Of friends, but always OF the
state There will come a time some
day when honesty of purpose
methods and direct actions in public
office Will not be so startling. / DO
not wish TO be a leader or a fol over,
but would only strive to move on
abreast with my fellow man
I'm the new order OF things young
men will be taught. their duties az
citizens as in the time of the Atheaian
Ephebi. In the golden days OF Greece
young men were prepared as care
fully for the government service as
they are now given general edlcation-
I'D drill i'm our universities Bat now
not enough EN- basis IS given 10 1T
ting our young men and women for
citizenship. The following inspiring
oath of the Atheuian Ephebes might
he taught to our youth of today with
splendid effect
81 will never disgrace these sacred
arms nor desert my companion in the
ranks. l will fight for temples and
public property, both alone and with
many I will transmit my fatherland,
not onlyl not less. but greater and bet
ter, than it was transferred OF me.
will obey the magistrates who may
at any time be in power. | will OBJ
serve both the existing laws and those
which the majority OF the people may
hereafter make; and If any person
seek to annul the laws or to set them
at nought l will do my best to pre-
vent him, and will defend them both
alone and with many. | will honor
the religion of my fathers"
The citizens of Michigan have no
superiors in the world The Repub-
lican party is in the majority in
Michigan and is representative In
It's citizenship. From its ranks should
come proper candidates for places Of
government. ! hope some able and
fearless Republican candidate for gov
ernor will announce himself The
people are entitled to have and are like
ly to have whatever kind of governor
hey interest themselves in. l will
.ook forward with pleasure to contin-
ling my public work through the year,
and then to retirement to the quiet
and freedom and independence Of the
woods, only to emerge when l can be
convinced that | can be Of service.
CHASE S. OSBORN.
April 8. 1912