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6
The Commoner.
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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
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