The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1913-05-29
REALIZING POLITICAL IDEALS.
Address by Miss Edna Mac
kinnon, Representative Of
the Class of 1913, Lyn.
den High School.

Friends, in behalf OF and In the
name of the class Of 1913 and OF
| the Lynden High School l extend
to you. one and all. welcome.
The occasion is one of satisfaction.
mingled with the sadness which 1t
brings-satisfaction that we have
accomplished our course which We
set four years ago, and We are re-
minded of the thousands Of young
men and women who are tonight
looking out beyond the familiar. a
cross the borders OF strange and
untried existence.
Realizing that the graduating
classes are going to be factor in
the active affairs of life. that
|, they are needed in q political strug-
gle which is now on, that they will
soon be eligible to citizenship. and
all that citizenship implies. I have
chosen as q fitting topic for dis
cussion this evening. Realizing
Political Ideals"
The questions which arise on
the mention of that theme are
questions over which scientists
have been working for a century -
what is political Idealism?
The only satisfactory foundation
upon which we can ever hope to
realize our ideals along political lines
Is perfection in the unit or individ-
nal. 1t Is only when We can recOg-
nize the fact that the welfare OF
this nation depends upon each and
every member of society-it is on
ly when we can see that the pro-
gress and prosperity Of our country
lies. collectively and individually
with the people. can We realize the
basis of political freedom.
We are now forced to a consider
alton of the thought as to what 10
meant by citizenship. AS a citizen
is a member of state. owing al
legiance to government and en-
titled to reciprocal protection from
it. that citizen must be capable OF
governing and being governed. To-
ward the accomplishment of that
end, he must exercise his intelli-
gence, his moral judgment, and his
strength to do the right, as his
judgment gives him the power to
see the right, in all political pro-
cedure.
We are in the period of a trans
ition. Since politics first came to
have such a prominent place In
the daily lives of men, there have
been three important changes. There
was that long period of boss-rule In
which the political machine affect
ed every element of American soci-
ETY.. Then came the time when the
public was formally introduced to
the corruption. vice and c0ntamina-
tion of political life. Now we are
in the midst of that great change
in which the spirit of Reform per-
meates every legislative measure
which concerns and excites the In
terest of the public. The line that
marks the separation of those peri
DDS is not clearly defined-the a.
wakening Is still going on. But pol
itics today has become a science.
and is ceasing to be a game OF
graft.
America is fortunate in having
at the head of its people man
who has the interest of the nation
before him, a man who Is self-sac-
rificing enough to give his life for
the betterment OF mankind; a man
who il the embodiment and soul OF
the democratic tendencies of the
Itime-President Woodrow Wilson.
Why is it that Mr.. Wilson has thus
fa' been SO successful in his ef-
forts? Do We lay 1t to the man
himself? To a large extent, Yes.
But the deep. underlying cause II
he people who are upholding him
and sanctioning his acts. On en-
tering the office of President, he
made this significant statement:
II shall succeed with the help of
God. and supported and sustained by