The Pensacola journal., 1913-01-08

glorious realization that they are in
fact their own rulers.
With this revolution in political
thought the citizens of Florida are
largely in sympathy. They are well
forward in the movement to secure
and perpetuate genuine popular gov
ernment. 1t shall be my earnest en-
deavor, my fellow citizens, to assist in
securing legislation and in following
policies which will firmly intrench the
people In the control of their govern
ment-nationa1, state, county and mu-
nicfpal. There seems today to be a
greater unanimity of popular senti-
ment and a clearer recognition of pop
ular power and rights in support of
the idea of a government meaning jus
tice to all and especial privileges to
none than at any time during the last
half century-and upon this happy
condition I most heartily congratulate
our state and the nation.
Today, as I look to the future with
desire to do. and build hopes for ac-
complishing something worth while for
those whom I have been called to
serve. and whose happiness, content
n'ent and welfare weighs heavily upon
my heart, l realize, as you must, that
the extent of my accomplishments end
achievements as public servant rests
largely upon the degree of co-opera-
tion accorded me by the citizens of
this state.
l believe the people should take an
active, militant and discriminating in
terest in the conduct of the business
of the commonwealth; that they
should scrutinize the acts of their Of
ficials and at ali times feel free to
exercise their right and privilege to
make known their needs and the pub
lie demands. He can best serve who
is most familiar with the conditions
and the problems which surround those
he represents. While I shall do all in
my power to keep in touch with the
requirements of the citizens of my
state, and to accomplish all possible in
their behalf, 1 appeal for the sympathy
and the aid of the people of Florida
and urge that they lend their influence
towards the Inauguration of every
policy necessary for the public good
We gather from our own experience
and from the lessons CT history that
the basic strength and stability OF
government is lodged in the people
/ SO long as they are safe in their free
dom and liberty, protected in their
| property and secure in their rights
prosperity and happiness will abound
but when their rights are infringed
their function in government tram
pied upon, such conditions unless soon
checked lead to decay and the final de-
cline of the erring nation.
We point with pride to the increas-
ing wealth of our state; we are justly
proud of our untold resources; we re-
joice in thoughts of the iimitless value
Of the material wealth of our nation
and every American citizen fells prouc
of his country and hopeful for its des
| tiny; but when we look behind all o.
tfese evidences of the magnif1cencC
| and grandeur of state and nation, we
| find the citizen to be the foundation
Of good government, the architect ant
builder of all our material wealth.
Some months ago visited our ma.
/ tional capital. AS I called in the va.
rious departments and beheld theil
magnitude, splendor and magni1cence
| I was thrilled with pride and inspired
with even greater love for my country
I was impressed with the tremendou.
powers assembled there, with the grea
responsibilities there centered-the ma.