The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-01-10

ton that they are in fact their own
rulers.
With this revolution in political
thought the citizens of Florida are
largely in sympathy. They are we'll
forward in the movement to secure
and perpetuate genuine popular gov
eminent. 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 vernment-national state,
county and municipal. There seems
today to be 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 have been called to
serve, and whose happiness, content
ment and welfare weighs heavily upon
my heart, | realize, as you must, that
the extent of my accomplishments
and achievements as a 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 an
active, militant and discriminating
interest in the conduct of the bust
ness of the commonwealth; that they
should scrutinize the acts of their
officials and at all 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 | 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 il
their freedom and liberty, protected
in their property and secured in theil
rights by the law, prosperity anc
happiness will abound; but wher
their rights are infringed, their func
ton in government trampled upon
such conditions, unless soon checked
lead to decay and the final decline Of
the erring nation.
We point with pride to the in
creasing wealth of our state; we arr
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 ant
hopeful for it's destiny; but when w
lock 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 | visited our ma
tional capital. AS l called in the va
rious departments and beheld thei
magnitude, splendor and magnifi
cence, | was thrilled with pride an
inspired with even greater love TO
my country. l 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 its 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
tiny of the American people foun
lodgment in those headquarters q
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
, and encircled by field and grove, ric
, in harvest and laden with fruits {
golden hue. The next day, as
! journeyed homeward, found myse
absorbed in meditation upon tt
vivid picture my country's Capt.
presented but a few weeks befor
|, and upon the impress and the il
SEPARATIONS gathered in the home
nv country friend; and, as l thougl
: of the happiness that prevailed
y that home, of the nobility of purpo
: that pervaded its occupants, of Il
influence of that stalwart citizen
his community and his part, as We
S as that of every citizen, in shapir
n the destiny of the nation, the glitte
C ing picture of our Capitol, its sple
e dor and its treasure faded from n
g mind, and l said surely here, her
n in the homes of the people is lodg,
e the destiny of my country-here
found it's majesty and sti ength-he
4 is the beginning of its power and tt
q end of its responsibilities.
The Florida legislature will me
+ here in regular session three montl
9 hence. The governor is directed
the constitution to communicate