The Colorado statesman., 1912-07-27

The foundation upon which the sta
bility Of a government is established
must rest on character and intelli-
gence Of its citizens. This insures
perpetuity, and guarantees the safety
OF the commonwealth. There abides
no fear to the existence of centralized
powers when a liberal system of
wholesome education is diffused; for
then, individuals collectively are able
to safeguard their personal rights and
privileges, forestalling the danger Of
encroachment. In a republican form
OF government where the creation OF
laws rests upon numbers, there are
ever grave inclinations to the abuse
of authority, which often destroys con-
fdence in the ability and honesty of
the rulers. The integrity of a people
ls pjudged by the integrity Of those
they elevate; and If their deeds are
not in keeping with their declarations
there Is somewhere an error in the
system. Theory antecedes practice In
whateyr sphere we engage; but 1t
does not determine successful end.
Issues inaugurated for the promotion
of a 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
iabors will be vain. A well-balanced
nation Is not excitable and whenever
danger to its institutions arises, 1t
calmly meets the situation. Educated
masses are noble assets to the per-
manency of all establishments If 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 it covets unless outside
pressure is brought strenuously to
bear upon it. Rights and immunitfes
are prime considerations in the well
fare of 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. 1t 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 a generation Of another type has
stepped upon the stage. Less bril-
liant intellectually, less stable politi-
cally and do not WELD with the mass
es 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 a
life of ease, the poor is at the mercy
of every agency which controls the
destiny of the country and can find
small redress for the grievances
which oppress. 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
Ethiopian Phalanx.