The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-08-01

more essential to return TO 1unQa-
mental principles than now. Weare
passing through q transition or
change from one period of national
life into another. That from which
we are emerging has been one of
industrial growth and commercial
activity devoted to the production
of wealth. The inventive genius or
the age, the product of its skill;> the
development of resources and COM
mercial activity resulting therefrom
have been fruitful field for the
captain of industry, master OF finance
designing politician and political
boss.
The affairs of government have
fallen largely into the control OF
special interests. Candidates for
office have been nominated by eau
cuses and conventions of their plann-
ing and elected at their will to do
their bidding. 1t has not been a
government for the people, by the
people, but a government by the
few for the benefit of the privileged
classes. From this condition we are
merging into new age of civil and
social development that will keep
pace with and control of our in
dustrial and commercial growth and
administer the affairs of the govern
ment in behalf of the people.
AS we are about to return to a
government of the people for the
people by the people, it is necessary
first of all that we recur to funda-
mental principles and take our bear
ings anew in order that we may
again "retrace our steps and regain
the road which alone leads to peace,
liberty and safety"
Let us keep in mind the object
and purpose of government. For
/ government is not an end but only
means unto an end, and that end
the security and protection of indi-
vidual rights.
! Our government is founded upon
the self-evident truths set forth in
the fundamental law of the land,
THAT all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their creator
with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness, that to Sc
cure these rights governments are
instituted among men deriving their
just powers from the consent of the
governed
Free governments is founded in, "Be-
lieve in God, and faith in men, No
people can be a free people unless
they first become and be Christian
people, in the sense that they be-
lieve in the living God as the creator
of the heavens and the earth and the
father of men. The equal rights of
man can only exist in the brother
hood of man and the brotherhood of
man can only be through the father
hood of God. Self government of
necessity is based upon the laws of
God as they are revealed in His
Book, and in the consciences of men
and the consent of the governed.
The democratic platform adopted
by the National Convention in its
preamble states, 'That we, the rep
resentatiyes of the Democratic party
of the United States in National Con-
vention assembled re-affirm our de-
vetion to the principles of democratic
government formulated by Thomas
Jefferson and enforced by long and
illustri0us line of democrats presi-
dents.
This re-affirmation naturally turns
our attention to the principles of
democratic government as formu-
lated by Jefferson, GAS the creed of
our political faith," the text of civic
instruction, "and the touchstone by
which to test and try the services of
those we trust.''
Chief among these is the principle
Equal and exact justice to all with
special privileges to none" This
fundamental principle of free gov
ernment is especially applicable to
present conditions. For the failure
to give equal and exact justice to all,
and the granting of special privi-
leges to the few are responsible for
many, if not all the evils that now
exist.
Present Conditions.
The republican party is respon-
sible for present conditions. The
swollen fortunes of the vastly rich,
the high cost of living, the price of
labor, the financial and social con-
dition of the masses have all been
the result of it's administration and
power. Government has been ad-
ministered by the few for their
special benefit. ''The rich have
grown richer and the poor poorer"
The republican party does not pro-
pose to change it's policy which has
made possible and been responsible
for these conditions. Backed by
the wealth and privileged interests
that have kept it in power it is still
insisting that it's policy is right and
most beneficial to the welfare of the
people, so there can be no hope of
change of condition if it be returned
to power.
The present administration has
failed to keep it's promises, allied it.
self with the interests, and refused
to listen to the voice of the people
or permit the enactment of laws in
their interest.
There can be no hope of relief
from the party that is responsible for
the evil and still insists that the
policy that produced it is right.
The only hope of the people is in the
Democratic party which has had moth
ing to do with the making of con-
ditions and steadily opposed the
course by which they have been
brought ahOnt IT is not Under the