Show americas americans unsurpassable product 1 my ris own pulle public ilfe life has been a brief and insignificant one extending little beyond the duration of a single term of senatorial office but in that brief period I 1 have seen five judges of a high court of or the UD united ite iti d states driven from office by threats of impeachment for corruption or I 1 have heard the taunt from friendliest frend liest lips that when the united state states i present presente presented fd d herself in the thy east to take part with the civilized world in generous competition in the arts of lite life the only product of her in which she surpassed all others beyond question was her corruption 1 I have seen in the state in the unior union foremost in power and wealth four judges of her courts impeached for corruption alid and the political administration of her chief city become a disgrace and a by word throughout the world I 1 hive have seen the chairman of the commit tee on military affairs in the house now a distinguished niem mem ber of this court rise in his place and demand the expulsion of four of his associates for making sale of their official privileges of belec selecting titi the youths to be educated at our oui great military school when thi tin greatest railroad of the world binding together the continent hrs ami uniting the two great seas which wash our shores was finished i have seen our national triumph am all exalting turned to bitterness am ang shame by the una unanimous nimons reported three committees of congress tw two of the house and one here tid tits every step of that mighty en enterprise enter prist had bad been taken in fraud I 1 har haw head hea d in highest places the shameless doctrine avowed by men gron grown old in public office that the tru tra way by which power should of fA gained in the republic is to brik brin the people with the offices oreate create for their service and the true edd end of which it should be used whet gained is the promotion of ambition and the gratification of personal revenge I 1 have beld head that suspicion haunts the footstep of the trusted companions of tt president these things bat ban into history mr hooft 8 speech in the belknap trial |