Evening star., 1936-01-30
~ the Associated Press.

text Of Gov. ALI NJ. Landon's Kansas
day address here last night follows:
seventy-five years ago today Kan
sas was born out Of mighty struggle
for human liberty. We gather tonight
to honor the memory Of those who
won that fight. Rather than attempt
to heap praise upon them, let us
take a lesson from their accomplish
inents. After all, experience is still
the greatest teacher. From thousands
of prairie firesides is handed down
this homely warning: Change does
not necessarily mean progress. A
social philosophy is not always bad
because it is old, nor good because
1t is merely new"
In the progress of human rights
the road has not been continuously
upward. It has not followed straight
course in the best direction. Rather,
there has cen general rise. with
ups and downs depending upon the
composite wisdom Of the people.
There have been curves and detours
along the way where some have
wandered of after false gods.
AS did the pioneers, we must al
ways keep alive the inner fire OF
individual conscience. We must sub
ordinate material rewards and en-
throne the things of the spirit. We
need emphasis on common honesty,
character and devotion to principle.
Thoughts Of Constitution
Uppermost in Mind.
It is fitting that celebration OF
the admission of Kansas to the
Union should evoke thoughts about
constitutions. Our forefathers had
passion for self-government as
corollary to the individual right of
self elf-de.ermination. That is not a
Kansas ideal alone. but an American
ideal. Through this yearning for Or
derly national existence, security
and individual liberty has come the
written covenant we term the Con-
stitution of the United States. 1t is
the militant manifestation of great
spiritual force. These ancient rights
only remain safe today as the Con-
stitution stays written in our hearts.
The people have been bound to their
voluntary devotion. But today there
are powerful forces trying to con-
vince our people that the Constitu-
ton Is not their chapter Of human
liberties. Should these forces prevail
the American Government then be-
comes source of oppression such as
now afflicts various other peoples
throughout the world,
A government is free in proportion
to che rights it guarantees to the
minority The Constitution was not
framed to give us anything, but to
protect inherent rights We already
possessed It was framed to protect
minorities against government mo-
mentarily controlled by impulsive ma
jorities For century and half the
Constitution has protected American
citizens against such oppression.
Against repeated onslaughts it has
preserved the right of trial by jury;
it has been the safeguard of the Amer
ican home and of churches in their
most sacred right of religious freedom;
1t has protected the freedom of the
press: it nas safeguarded individuals
In their right of free speech, and it has
been the guarantee of the right to
conduct lawful personal affairs with
out interference. py meddling bu-
reaucracy. This, fellow citizens. is
the Constitution which was established
to make the United States sanctuary
for every honest individual and every
honest interest.
Constitution Balance Wheel
For American Progress.
Let me make this emphatic-the
Constitution of the United States Is
not an obstacle to progress. It is the
balance wheel of progress. No haunt-
. ing Of the Constitution, whether by
executive evasion, loose legislation or
h1sidious propaganda, can destroy our
safeguard so long as courage and COM
mon sense are cherished in the hearts
Of the American people.
AS we assemble to celebrate the dia-
mond jubilee of our State. we are con-
ecious that we confront in the next
national election the most fateful de-
cisions of our generation. Deceiving
words and Turing phrases may cloud
the issues. but they cannot hide them.
A nation will survive to correct its
political mistakes, but if an unsound
financial program is coupled with
them. the nation faces destruction.
We have seen appalling waste and ex-
trAvagarce. We are exhausting our
capital or useless projects which ad-
vance us no farther on our way.
Tho h11don. Y1rrnOcod fnr tho ,oovf
fiscal period by the Nations Chief Ex-
ecutive is the final grim proof of the
financial vortex into which we are
being drawn Its prediction of deficit
of "only billion" is delusive. Consid-
ering the admitted needs for relief and
other realities. the period undoubtedly
will emo with a deficit greater than
those of each preceding year Of this
administration. Bookkeeping tricks
may be used but the huge deficit will
remain.
Despite promises of a Is per cent
reduction in Federal expenditure, Fed
eral expenditures continue steadily to
rise. It is true economic conditions
have improved, as they do after every
depression. That has been reflected
In great increases in Federal income.
They nave not, however, been able to
match the increases IN spending, thus
repudiating the assurances of the bud
get messages of three and two years
ago. The gap between income and
outgo steadily widens. The billions on
billions already added to the national
debt are in themselves dangerous.
They are doubly dangerous as an in
vitation to even wilder dissipation of
our resources.
Treasury Held Periled
BY Abysmal Waste.
It has been said that the demands
Tor relief have imperiled our Federal
finances. That is only a half truth.
The money actually reaching the un-
employed and impoverished has not
rocked the Treasury. The rocking has
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