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About The commoner. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-1923 | View Entire Issue (April 4, 1913)
"spx'TOtwei?; mpizrTjnirwv -,1ps4wv"'"nf 6 The Commoner. i i' Idealists In an odllorlnl entitled, "Two Notable Ideal lots," iho Now York "World tolls some plain and wholesome truths In this way: "What the DeutHche Zcltung of Berlin calls a paradox In the United States, 'notoriously tho most materialistic nation In the world, under tho guldanco of two of tho most notablo Idealists of tho tlmo Wilson and Dryan.' If tho Zeltung woro as well acquainted with our political his tory as It is with our Industrial and commercial development It would know that wo are no strangars to idealism. We began our career as a republic with standards and uspirations which woro donouncod throughout tho world as visions of tho Impossible. Tho Declaration of Indepen dence was wrltton by an Idealist. It haB boon chorlshod for a century and a third by several generations of idealists. Wo have not always boon truo to its theories, but thoro never has boon a tlmo In all theso years that tho Ameri can pooplo did not at least profess dovotion to Its high principles. Such a nation can not bo 'notoriously tho most materialistic in tho world,' for tho idoal that It has pursued places it In a class by itsolf. We at loast subscrlbo to certain bollofs. At times wo onforco them vigorously. That wo have not dreamed In vain Is proved by almost ovory page of our history. President Wilson and Secretary Dryan aro 'tho most not ablo Idealists' of tho day bocauso they happen to occupy tho highest stations and bocauso ability and opportunity havo mado thorn great loaders. But they aro no moro committed to idealism than millions of their countryman. Thoir hopes and alms find a response in tho hoart of noarly ovory American. Tho political Idoals of tho United States have never been in any ono man's hooping or dependent upon tho favor of any ono party. Men havo abandoned thorn and misguided party organizations havo abandoned thorn, but tho pooplo as a wholo, novor. Tho most grievous harm that has boon dono thorn has resulted from their use as a cloak by Interests that feared them and hated them If pooplo at homo and abroad will oxamino tho Ideals of PrcBidont Wilson they will find that ovory ono of them is an old Amorlcan ideal with roots doop in tho soil of liberty, equal rights and good ordor. Ho is not tho forerunner of a fad or an oxporimont. Ho is interpreting as tho host and greatost of his predecessors In torprotod tho idoallsm of 177G, which does not fado." THE SECRETARY OF STATE Bridgeport (Conn.) Telegram: When Presi dent Woodrow Wilson soloctod William Jennings Bryan for secretary of state, ho gave tho Ameri can pooplo tho sorvlco of ono of tho most bril liant public mon in tho country, and at tho same timo assured hirasolf of an advisor whoso broad polioles, progressive Idoas, high ideals and thorough knowledgo of public affairs will lo tho administration's most valuable asset, In tiding over tho periods of storm and stress, and holping to solve tho numerous difficult and troublesome problems which it must face. SInco olection day, newspapers and politicians throughout tho country havo buslod thomsolves speculating as to whether or not Mr. Bryan would bo givon a placo in tho cabinet. Bitter opposition to Mr. Bryan was unveiled in many quarters, but in no caso did It proceed from a Bourco that could bo interpreted, oven by tho widost strotch of tho imagination, as an expres sion of popular opinion. Mr. Bryan'B foes aro private; his friends ar0 public or rather tho public. Sinco tho final settlement of tho ques tion by his nomination and acceptance of tho portfolio of socrotary of state, his office in Washington haB beon tho sceno of a remarkable demonstration an enthusiastic welcome a warmth of widespread congratulation, second only to tho reception accordod to the now presi dent. The popularity of Mr. Bryan's appoint ment is unquestioned; its wisdom is uphold unanimously by tho Independent thinkers and independent press of the country, and the only opposition was based upon such trifling generali ties as to render it negligible The first policy announced by tho now secre tary of state is a noble ono nnd characteristic of the man. Ho pledges himself to work for world's peace. At a tlmo when Europo Is rent by a frightful war, and many of tho powers are pursuing a mad raco for naval supromacy at tho risk of bankruptcy with war news and rumors of war filling the air our secretary of state promises to mako America a shining example to tho rest of tho world, for peace, progress and civilization. No other country stands In' such a splendid position for tho promotion of Inter national pcaco as tho United States, and tho carrying out of this policy to a successful con clusion will givo Mr. Bryan an Indisputable placo in tho galaxy of tho world's great men, and oarn him tho everlasting gratitude not only of this, but of all nations. Tho ofllco of secretary of state Is one of tho foremost positions of national trust. Its list of former occupants abounds with great names Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Wil liam H. Seward, James G. Blaine, and many others. It Ib really tho closest of all offices to tho presidency, and in many cases has been tho stopping stone to the higher position. In tho present instance it is filled by a man hignly honored and deeply trusted by the American people a man who on three occasions has re ceived the votes of over six million of his fellow citizens for tho foremost office In tho land, and now is in the happy position of having been sought by, not seeking, tho office which ho is oquippod to fill so ably. By his choice for secretary of state, President Wilson has proven at tho outset his intention of recognizing the will of tho people, tho demand for new ideals In politics and progress in govern ment a trend in public opinion that owes its impetus to ho other living man so much as to William Jennings Bryan. THE DIVINITY OF MAN Tho following beautiful article was written by Mr. Laurio J. Quinby, editor of the Omaha Chancellor: While tho tremendous storms of Easter Sun day wore general, Omaha seems to havo been tho chief object and center of the most death dealing terror of them all. Coming from the southwest corner of the city, with a force that beggars description, like myriads of furies massed into one compact train of torror it plowed its fearful northeastern way for a dis tance of about five miles, cutting a path several hundred yards wide. It spared neither the tich nor poor, the high nor low, tho Innocence and sweetness of childhood nor the grim aspect of maturity. It played with mansions of stone and power and with tho hovels of the poor, with about as ruthless a hand as ever was imbued with revenge and murder. It strewed its path with terror and despair, converting magnificent streets and boulevards as well as alleys and unkept by-ways into dumping grounds of hell, whoro maimed and mangled beings were buried uudor heaps of debris. Throughout this vast extent of territory in places half a mile wide and five miles in length whoro was reverence and merriment, peace and good will, tho tenderness of youth and the venerable aspect of age, within a period of less than five minutes, all was chaos and darkness anguish of tho living, misery of the dying, and the ashen face of death. Some may think they understand theso words, but only those who havo seen may fully know. ii Tf sn)i',ous' wI"ln this gloom, riseB tho divinity of man. All lines of separation aro wiped away, and man, in his united grandeur rises to immense altitudes in his God-like course Strong and triumphant, holy and divine, Is the heart of humanity. This truth we do not com monly see, but when a crisis comes, ah then all the coarso and ugly things that commonly wo think wo see, disappear and tho pure and en nobling appears in all its sweettness and light It appears in friendliness to the friendless pro viding homes for tho homeless, assiatlng 'those Si8tr5 wrWnf trough a cold andisS night, in darkness black as hell, liftinc timl nr from tho living, carrying tho maimed ig ?hS7 finding a sepulchre for the dead, and with the speech of lovo soothing stricken hearts Who would not bo a man? MR. WILSON'S SUMMER HOME Following Ib an Associated Press dlsnatnh Corn sh N H March 31.-Harla Kenden house on tho Winston Churchill estate, which is to be occupied by President Wilson 'tWs summer will bo ready for his use by tho middle of April' Tho work of renovation was begun, today No extensive alterations will bo made but twS weeks will bo necessary for tho regular sprint proUvSeemCenrnS' &nd ther mi" Tho house, contains about thirty rooms of which sixteen are sleeping chambers. It on?y two stories high, except on the west endwhere ihiiiF.re0l?itoUB sIdG of a cm mak Possible a2 additional story under tho ground floor. , PjIhurchni B Btudy Is on th0 lower floor on tho sldo toward tho Connecticut river, and it VOLUME 13, NUMBER 18 expected that tho president will use this room for an office. Besides the mansion there aro two cottages commodious stables and a garage on the place! Tho cottages, where It is believed the clericai staff will bo lodged, are about an eighth of a mile from the house. The newspaper correspondents accompanying the president probably will set up thoir head quarters in Windsor, Vt., across the river from Harla Kenden house and about 'three miles dis tant. The only telegraph station in tho vicinity is at Windsor and all mail and practically all supplies for Cornish como through the Vermont town. THINK THIS OVER Lexington, Ky., March 12, 1913. Editor Tho Commoner: The following Is a suggestion which I trust you will consider. It embodies an idea, which, if carried out, would tend to stimulato progressive states to further action and to bring reactionary states out of their lethargy. It would be instructive and interesting infor mation to havo the states of the union "ranked" in the order of their progressiveness. Persons capable of such estimating would be, for in stance, state reference librarians, legislators, news correspondents, and instructors and gradu ate students in departments of political science in the leading universities. Their estimates or "rankings" could be combined into a final rank ing. Tho points to be considered would be, for instance, (1) advanced legislation (labor, regu lation, corrupt practices laws, and democratic machinery of government); (2) type of gover nor, senators and other leaders in political ac tion; (3) general status of civic vigilance. The people of Wisconsin, Oregon, Nebraska, Now Jersey and Oho are entitled to know how their, recent efforts are viewed by those who aro able to judge, and the minority of progressives in Alabama, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylva nia and Utah would be stimulated to maice themselves a majority. It is a powerful argu ment for action, when the people of a stato como to know, and to know that others know, that they aro enshrouded in political stagna tion and inertia. Respectfully, . . . , , WILLIAM E. BUTT, Assistant in Economics, Stato University of Kentucky. PAGE FOR ST. JAMES Associated Press announces that Presi dent Wilson has appointed Walter H Patre editor of the World's Work, to be ambassador to the court of St. James. Mr. Page is a member of the publishing company of Doubleday, Page 7 ; x A -t01011 cablegram, carried by the Associated Press, says: "Commenting on the appointment of Walter H. Page as ambassador SrfAat Fr&Sn thPa11 Mall Gazette romarksf which dSfnZll;fn i?a8, kept to the tradition which utilizes tho bond of. literary interest to aMr'pr'11168 ,f the Anglo-syaionpeoPleB and Mr. Page can rely on a reception in this country which will embody every element of popular good will.' element oi J. PIERPONT MORGAN DEAD whnnST?!1 iJors5ni the noted fancier, died while on a visit to Rome. "He had been sick for several weeks. His daughter, Mrs Herbert L &ef jst hTh0h?baid' re tt onlyrolal uves present. The remains will be broueht to this country and the burial will be at Halyard Conn., where the bodies of Mr. Morgan's parente on the market was discounted 0(3 RENEWALS NOAV DUE theTgreat0Sbeulk ,"10pSUl,SCriptIon year for I ended with u" CmmonGr subscribers S ut be renewed with as little delay as nos I sole n order to facilitate the work of I changing and re-entering the addresses expense TSSSfn bka oblXS noSL thS riSg ?t 8tatements an- u nouncmg that renewals are due. 0 4-.Mu.uabUuyi