Show L POLITICAL SALVATION Mr Eawlins Ogden Speech Delivered i the Union Opera House March 4th 1885 Mr Chairman Ladies and Gentlemen More than eighteen centuries ago the question was asked I What shall we do to be saved 1 I today you ask what shall we do to be politically saved I answer be Democrats What is necessary neces-sary to constitute a Democrat 1 I is but to be a manthat embodiment of the qualities and attributes which constitute genuine fearless manhood He is a man who to the extent of the faculties with which he is endowed deems himself the equal of any other man He recognizes himself as an integral and responsible part of the government of the commonwealth common-wealth who by reason of the assistance whichduty requires him to render it shares the credit i its administration is wholesome and benificent or the odium and disgrace in case ofJfailure The man who is the Democrat and worthy of the name willingly and manfully accepts the trust which free government devolves upon up-on him after informing himself upon any question of policy or government to act politically as his best individual judgment judg-ment would direct absolutely free from coercion control or dictation Having political intelligence and convictions he also has the courage of his convictions and would speak his sentiments with an untraraelled voice though menaced by as many devils as there are tiles upon the roofs of the houses He would never permit his political voice and action ac-tion to be distorted or turned aside from what he deemed the right by the manipulation manip-ulation of others but in spite of all would see to it that the force of his individuality is commingled with that of his fellow citizens citi-zens for counteraction or assistance that the resultant might be the highest good to the state and the people No craven no serfno manmilliner is he the trup Democrat He walks with resolute bearing and speaks with a manly voice He does not shamble with a borrowed gate nor await the stale and foetid inspiration of another to guide his political conduct What he claims for himself he freely accords to others and he has more respect for the courageous foe than for the suppliant wretch who might seek to become be-come his tl He has a soul of courage but also imbued with magnanimity In the strength of his manhood he can well afford to be tolerant even o the into rant r-ant antI we turn our eyes upon history we might see the tipical Democrat in Athens that wonderful city full of Democrats ascending the Acropolis to engage in an intelligent participation in the affairs of selfgovernment I then the voice of the people was not in reality the voice o God it was the omnipotent voice These Democrats ruled their city as they ruled themselves Thus every citizen grew into the statesman Through their intelligence and freedom these Democrats achieved the greatest success in all that administers to the comfort and prosperity of man Their energy and intelligent in-telligent activity could not be confined within the limits of a single city but reached out into distant lands The barbarians bar-barians and serfs of despotic governments paid tribute to the glory and prosperity of Democratic Athens I is impossible to measure the indebtedness of modern art civilization and government to the Democracy of this ancient city The world has listened too long to that delusive de-lusive and sacrilegious appeal that the voice of an autocrat or the voice of a king or the voice of a priesthood being the I divine voice is to be obeyed under the penalty of divine condemnation Upon this we turn our backs We know them by their fruits of misgovernment folly and ruin The affairs of government can be safely intrusted to the intelligence of free people The collective judgment the consensus of a free Democratic people is the best practical guide in matters of government gov-ernment For good government therefore there-fore we need but a race of Democrats But it is said that Utah has notlbeen fruit noteen ful of such productions Not that the soil is unsuitable but the atmosphere has been stagnant and vaporish Such as have sprouted and flourished for a season have ere attainining maturity thereby been mildewed or blighted But a little agitation may have the effect to dissipate this malignant vapor The Democratic Club proposes for itself this species of home production the nurture and cultivation vation of genuine Democrats For fellow citizens our political salvation depends upon our Democracy r |