The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-01-08


tions of popular concern about politi-
cal affairs-and believe nothing else
should satisfy them.
For about score of years the con-
test has waged heavily in this eoun-I
try-as it has, indeed, throughout the
civilized world-between the old or
der Of special privilege and the re-
formed idea of equal opportunity and
fair play for all. We marvel at the
progress being made by the various
professions and sciences and crafts;
but, as | see it, one of the most sig
nifcant evolutions in history, which
the world has made in our own gen
Grafton, has been the real awakening
of the people to the glorious realiza-
tion 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 fol
lowing policies which will firmly in
trench the people in the control of
their government-natio state,
county and municipal. There seems
today to be q greater unanimity of
popular sentiment and clearer rec
ognition of popular power and rights
in support of the idea of govern
ment meaning justice to all and spe-
cial privileges to none than at any
time during the last half century
and upon this happy condition most
heartily congratulate our state and
the nation.
Today, as | look to the future with
a desire to do, and build hopes for ac-
complishing something worth while
for those whom l have been called tc
serve, and whose happiness, content
ment and welfare weighs heavily upon
my heart, l realize, as you must, that
the extent of my accomplishments
| and achievements as public servant
rest largely upon the degree of CO.
operation and sympathy which shall
be accorded me by the citizens of this
state.
| believe the people should take ar
active, militant and discriminating
interest in the conduct of the busi-
ness of the commonwealth; that they
| should scrutinize the acts of theil
officials and at all times feel free tc
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 l shall
do all in my power to keep in touch
| with the requirements of the citi-
/ zens of my state, and to accomplish
all possible in their behalf, | appeal
for the sympathy and the aid of the
people of Florida, and urge that they
lend their influence towards the inau,
guration of every policy necessary
for the public good.
We gather from our own expe-
rience and from the lessons of his.
tory that the basic strength and sta.
bility of government is lodged in the
| people. So long as they are safe II
their freedom and liberty, protected
in their property and secured in then
rights by the law, prosperity anC
happiness will abound; but wher
their rights are infringed, their func
tion in government trampled upon
such conditions, unless soon checked
lead to decay and the final decline o.
the erring nation.
| We point with pride to the in
creasing wealth of our state; we ar
justly proud of our untold resources
we rejoice in thoughts of the lin
itless value of the material wealth O
our nation, and every American cit
izen feels proud of his country AM
hopeful for its destiny; but when W,
look behind all Of these evidences o
the magnifcence and grandeur O
state and nation, we find the citiZel
to be the foundation of good govern
ment, the architect and builder of al
our material wealth.
Some months ago I visited our ma
tional capital. As / called in the va
rious departments and beheld thei
magnitude, splendor and nnagnif
cence, I was thrilled with pride an
inspired with even greater love fo
my country. / was impressed wit
the tremendous powers assemble
there, with the responsibilities ther
! centered-the nations president, it
congress, its courts, its navy, it
army and it's gathered treasure; an
as | mediate upon all of these evi
dences of my country's greatnes
and the wealth there represented,
thought for a time that the yer
prosperity of our country and the des
P tiny of the American people foun
lodgment in those headquarters G
our great government But, m
friends, little later, in my own stat
| it was my good fortune to visit for
night in the home of one of my cour
try friends. His was a modest, sin
pie house, sheltered by great tree
i and encircled by field and grove, ric
: in harvest and laden with fruits {
Il golden hue. The next day, as
C journeyed homeward, | found myse
e absorbed in meditation upon th
g vivid picture my country's Capt.
n presented but a few weeks befor
e and upon the impress and the il
Il spirations gathered in the home
/ nv country friend; and, as l though
d of the happiness that prevailed
e that home, of the nobility of purpo.
l. that paryadod i+e oacupo,%r ~ II