Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1912-07-26

The foundation upon which the sta.
Nifty Of q government II established
must rest on character and intelli-
renee Of its citizens. This insures
perpstuity, and guarantees the safety
81 the commonwealth. There abides
10 fear to the existence OF centralized
powers when q liberal system OF
wholesome education. 10 diffused: Tor
then, individuals collectively are able
to safeguard their personal rights ana
privileges. forsstalling the danger OF
sncrcschmsnt. In republican form
o government whore the creation OF
laws rests upon numbers. the'> are
ever crave inclinAtions to the abuse
q authority, which often destroys con-
ndence in the ability and honesty OF
the rulers. The integrity Of people
u pjudged by the integrity of those
they elevate; and II their deeds are
not in keeping With their declarations
there 10 somewhere An error In the
system. Theory sntecedes practice IN
whatevr sphere We engage; but II
does not determine q successful end.
Issues inaugurated for the promotion
Of 4 common cause must be based
upon the eternal principles OF right;
else the good effect which we hope to
obtain from the pursuit OF chosen
career will fail to materialize; and our
labors viii be vain. A well-balanced
nation is not excitable and whenever
danger to it's institutions arises, 1t
calmly meets the situation. Educated
masses are noble assets to the per-
manency Of all establishments II their
sentiments are properly nodded. 1t Is
through this medium that national re-
cards are enforced. Human nature Is
not prone to withdraw from attempts
upon things 1t covets unless outside
pressure Is brought strenuously to
bear upon it Rights and immhnites
are prime considerations in the vel
fare of q people; but there are those
contending for recognition who aspire
no higher than loaves and fishes.
True craftsmanship is unselfish, and
labors for the betterment of human
conditions, regardless Of remunera-
ton. But. unfortunately, that element
does not exist in abundance. It crops
out only at intervals and In isolated
places. The greed of official gain has
so sapped the vitals Of our political
body that things of the highest i'm
portance are subordinated thereto,
and allowed to abide In the back
ground from lack of advocates. The
palmy days of Negro leadership. the
days of the Douglasses, Elliotts.
Langstons and other illustrious per-
sonages whose mention time and
space forbid. are past and gone;
and . generation of another type has
stepped upon the stage. Less bril-
liant intellectually. less stable politi-
cally and do not WELD with the mass
% that influence which characterized
the epoch In which these giants
wrought. Troublous times are neces-
sary to the production of genuine lead
ership. They prove the materials
they produce. In our happy days OF
pleasure in which the possession OF
marvellous wealth lulls the rich to q
life Of ease, the poor Is at the mercy
OF every agency which controls the
destiny of the country and can md
small redress for the grievances
which Cypress. To tighten the bur
dens which weigh SO heavily upon the
shoulders Of those who create wealth.
whose tolls are the strength OF the
nation should be the endeavor OF
those who accede to maintain their
interests. But, by permitting them
selves to become slaves to the glare Of
filthy lucre they lose sight OF the
greatest benefits to the greatest
number and allow thousands to perish
while a comparative few survive
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