Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-09

structors has been more or less ue-
moralized through financial tempta-
ton from other activities whlch pay
much better. we owe too much 10
the next generation to be remlss In
this matter. Very satisfactory pro-
gress is being made in several states
in the teaching of native born illit-
rats. The moonlight school in Ken
ucky has, in fact, become historic
institution. The practice has spread
into other commonWI llths, ana
bands of noble men and women are
rendering great service Ihere !
should be no encroachment by the
federal government on local control
1t is the healthful, reasonable In
dividualism of American national
life that has enabled the citizens of
this republic to think for themselves,
! and besides, state and community
initiative would be impaired by any
thing approaching dependence. Inc
central government. however, can
| inventory the possibilities OF pro-
| gressive education. 'and in helpful
manner create an enlarged public
interest in this subject.
| There will be no attempt in this
! campaign to compete by dollars with
our opposition. So many people have
been in the money gathering business
| for the reactionary cause that the
millions already in hand are more or
less a matter of general information.
All that we ask is that both parties
deal in the utmost good faith with
the electorate and tell the plain truth
as to the amounts received, the con-
| tributors, and the items of disburse-
ments. The public judgment in cleo
tions should be rendered after the
| fullest hearing possible. Each side
has the right to properly present it's
case. This is legitimate expense.
There is no narrow dividing line be-
tween the legitimate and illegitimate
| in political campaigns. One contem-
plates the organization and mainten-
! ance of such. ia ABILITIES as are neces-
sary to advise the people of the facts
bearing upon the issues; the other
carries the deliberate purpose to in
terfere with the honest rendering of
a verdict. How misguided some of
our people are. Recognizing that re-
adjustment must be made. they be-
lleve that they will fare better if they
cast their fortunes with those with
whom they have dealt on the base of
campaign contributions in DAYS gone
by. They do not sense the dangers
that threaten. The sort or readjust-
meGt which will appeal to our self
! respect and ultimately to our general
prosperity, is the honest readiust-
ment. Any unfair adjustment simply
delays the ultimate process and we
should remember the lesson of history
that one extreme usually leads to an
other. We desire industrial peace.
We want our people to have an adib-
ing confidence in government but no
REIMBURSEMENT made under reactionary
auspices will carry with it the con-
hdence of the country. If | were ask
ed TO name in these trying days the
nrst essential overshadowing every
other consideration, the response
would be confidence in government.
1t would be nothing less than a CAL
amlty If the next administration were
elected under corrupt auspices. There
IS unrest in the country; our people
nave passed through a trying ex-
perience. The European war before
1t engulfed us, aroused every racial
throb in nation Of composite citizen
snip. The conflict in which we mar
uclpated carried anxieties into every
community and thousands upon thou
sands of homes We're touched bv tra.e
edy. The Inconvenience incident to
the war have been disquieting: the
1aHure OF the Republican Congress to
[
our troubles. The natural impulse is
10 forget the past, to develop new in
terests, to create a refreshened and
refreshing atmosphere in life. We
want to forget the war and be free
| from the troubling thought of its pos
slblilty in the future. We want tho
! dawn and the dews of a new morn
ing. We want happiness in the land
the feeling that the square deal
among men and between men and
| government is not to be int, fered
win by purchased preference. We
want change from the old world
ol yesterday where international in
trisue' made the people mere paWns
on the chessboard of war. We want
change from the old industrial
world where the man who toiled wac
assured "a full dinner pail" as his
only lot and portion. But hoy are
we to make the change? Which way
/ snail we go? We stand at the forks
OF the road and must choose which to
! follow. One leads to higher citizen
snip. freer expression of the indi-
| vidual and fuller life for all The
otner leads to reaction, the rule of the
rev over the many and the restriction
OF the average mans chances to grow
| upward. Cunning devices backed nv
unlimited prodigal expenditures will
De used to confuse and to lure. Rut
L nave an adding faith that the nit
rails will be avoided and the right
road chosen. The leaders opposed to
Democracy promise, to put the conn
try back to normal" This can only
mean the so-called normal of former
reactionary administrations, the ont
standing feature of which was a nit
lance for farm produce and a small
wage for a long day of labor. Nv vi
sion does not turn backward to tho
normal desired by the senatorial,
ollgarchy, but to a future in which
all shall have normal opportunity tn
cultivate a higher stature amidst bet
Ter environment. than than of the ma ct !
our view is toward the sunrise OF to.
morrow with its progress and its eter-
nal promise of better things. Tho