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Show THE PEOPLE'S INHERITANCE. - The glory of Solomon has been "the talk of the world for three thousand years. His wisdom, his wealth, the splendor of his establishments, his gold and precious stones, his horses and chariots and his power, for kings were subject to him "from the river even unto the land of the Philistines." Philis-tines." But we read that at last after reigning forty years, "Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David, his father and Re-hoboan, Re-hoboan, his son, reigned in his stead." Then the people went to the new king and said: Thy father made our yoke grievous, now therefore ease somewhat the grievous servitude, of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he putftf&jjji us, and we will serve thee." - When this was refused Israel cried out: "What portion have we in David, and we have none inheritance in-heritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O, Israel, and now David, see to thine own house." Further it tells that when the new king sent to them for tribute "the children of Israel stoned" the messenger, "and he died," and the king himself him-self was hurried into his chariot and sped away to Jerusalem to keep him from being killed. The story is of interest because it is a reminder that while Solomon was rolling in wealth, the people peo-ple around him were exceedingly poor, and the rule holds good to this day that when a man becomes be-comes very suddenly rich, except he dig his money mon-ey from the mines, thousands around him are made poor, and nothing breeds discontent and a disposition to mutiny so quickly as poverty. From the firs't in all countries, except our own, the plan has been to make the masses of the people peo-ple serve the few who rule, and because of it the Mages have been filled with human suffering. The plan of our government was to give equal opportunities to all. those who filled the offices were to be their representatives and servants. It is because of this that our country has made such wonderful progress, and knowing this and knowing know-ing the record of sorrow which the centuries bring down.to us, the American who becomes careless of his country's liberties, who winks when unworthy men are elected to high office or when offices are bartered for money, is n6 good American. The matter Js directly in the hands of the people, peo-ple, the ballot is their weapon of defense, when aroused and they all work and vote togefller their voice is as the voice of God and when corrupt m.en are elected to office it is the people's qi'Ime. The people were not to blame ky the daya pt Solomon for they had been brought' up in servitude and ignorance: they were taught from childhood that their king possessed divine powers there was no escape for them. But the schools are free in our country; the newspaper is brought to men's doors every morning bearing the world's history , of the previous day. Men cannot help but see how our land is favored over all other lands, and the man who is too careless to appreciate his blessings and to do his part in keeping tho mighty inheritance pure and safe, is an unworthy American, Ameri-can, and should be disfranchised. In the Dominion compulsory voting is going to be resorted to. It is a good idea. Some states have compulsory school laws, others have compulsory compul-sory quarantine laws, tho first to light their minds with learning, the second to keep free from disease dis-ease their bodies, and we approve the plan to compel com-pel men to vote for it will cause men to think a little lit-tle at least of their country's needs, and awaken in them a desire to advance the fair land's bless--ngs and to protect it against misfortunes. |