The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-10-30


Right here somebody will raise a
boiler about my trying to upset the
government. change ancient institu-
lions or something of that sort, and
I'm going to reply by quoting the De-
claration of Independence:
I'VE hold these truths to be
self-evident: That all men are
created equal: that they are en-
dowed by their Creator with GER
tain tnalienable rights: that
among these are life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. That
to secure these rights, govern
ments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from
the consent of the governed: that
whenever form Of government
becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the right of the people to
alter or to abolish 1t, and to in
stitute new government, lay
ing its foundation on such prin-
ciples, and organizing its powers
in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their
safety ana happiness. Prudence.
indeed, will dictate, that govern
ments long established should not
be changed for light and tran
silent causes"
Governments, institutions, or social
systems long established should not
"De changed for light and transient
Causes but a servile superstitious
clinging to things simply because they
are old is out of date and may lead
n, 1 farlat Il
worse than they are? OF course; but
that's no bar to my argument. All
I've got to prove is that they might be
better, very much better, and that
doesn't require proof to anybody pos
sessing shadow of intellect and any
claim of fairness.
I might go back five or ten thou
sand years; the whole period is one
great lesson, but two thousand, the
Christian era, Is enough Christian
ity, which can be summed up In the
Golden Rule. was submitted as a
glide for human conduct two thou
sand years ago. It's done wonders
in way yet compared with It's pos
sibiiities the result has been q
chastity failure. II isn't the fault OF
either the Law or the Prophets. Moses
and Isaiah did their work and did II
well for their time. 1t isn't the fault
of the Savior and his apostles; moth
ing in literature or history is 50 mar
velous as Che effect their teachings
have had upon mankind MS your
fault and mine, brother because we
prefer to take our chance in a COM
petitive struggle rather than to seek
oc
provide right conditions the Golden
Rule would become operative at once.
DR.. Williams is pleading my cause
when he says that more than seventy
per cent of our revenues are expended
for war. that Is competition pure and
simple. Ii is our present CONNER
cial and competitive system carried
to it's logical conclusion. We needn't
look for any change in that respect no
matter whether Davis or Coolidge Is
elected; nor need we expect a very
wonderful reduction In this war eX-
penditures, even If LaFollette sue
ceeds, unless the rest of us get an in
sight into tie evils, the crime and
the curse. of competition and prayer
fully, diligently and patiently seek
the blessings of cooperation. And
don't you see, folks, that we have ar
rived at time when We must demand
that big business conduct its affairs
lawfully and no longer furnish the
most fragrant and spectacular viola
lions of the statute while working
under the protection OF the courts;
that it should not corrupt but obey
the government.
You'll call mo IA radical and I've no
objection to that. Yet why should
you apply that name in derogation
to me or to anyone who breaches that
man has right in fact that 1t is the
duty of the race, to cooperate in
any way. through governmental agen-
cy, that will tend toward comfort and
happiness. The change will come. II
at all. through the understanding and
action of the common people; pri-
vilege class never reforms itself. The
average man must acquaint himself
with present day conditions. must
study out and apply the remedy or no
progress will be made.
Someone Will throw in right here a
whole lot about the blessings we en-
10y not known to the preceding gene
ration. There are many, | grant It.
Nor ain | going to rehearse all the
evils of the present time to justify my
argument for change Let's mention
a few of them. however
Can any government or system OF
society be called successful where
two per cent of the people possess
ninety per cent of the wealth.
Can any government or system OF
society point with pride at anything
so long as there are an average OF
TWO murders day in single one
of its cities.
Can any government or system OF
society be called successful when
there are as DR.. Williams says, one
man in every ten out of job?
Can any government or system OF
society take on a self-satisfied air and
solemulv warn against change when