United States in the last half century has kept the people
so busy in various industries, speculations, and
enterprises, in order to do their part in this development,
that many of them have neglected their duties as citizens,
or perhaps I should say as co-sovereigns in the government
of the great empire that has been built up by their efforts,
in which all men are equal at the ballot-box.

I myself am acquainted with many men who, merely because of
lucky location, though only of respectable ability, have sat
on the gateway of commerce, and, by simply levying toll,
have accumulated great fortunes.

In all their lives they have never got into touch with
public life; they know little about public questions, and
they give them no attention. These men, when pinched by the
unwise action of the majority of their fellows, are able to
do little except cover the latter with abuse.

Sometimes, however, such men try to enter public life
themselves. But then the people do not always acknowledge
their fitness for public position. Sometimes they seek
protection for their interests by improper methods instead
of trying to contribute their share in building up a wise
public sentiment.

The Most Dangerous Men.

It goes without saying that the most dangerous men in the
republic are those who, by inheritance or otherwise, have
vast fortunes, yielding great incomes, which enable them to
command the services of those who have ability, but not
conscience, and thus seek to control the average man--the
man who lives by the sweat of his face--by playing upon his
prejudices, his hopes, and his fears.

Is there a remedy for this? An offset to such evil
influences? Yes. A most efficient remedy. In the fulness of
time the multitude will find out from some actual and
painful experience that they have been misled. When, through
being misled, they begin to suffer; when they begin to be
oppressed they will seek to find new leadership and will
apply the proper remedies through the ballot-box.

Fortunately, in this republic there are plenty of men of
culture, ability, and wisdom--themselves of the people--who
cannot be bought or controlled by material considerations,
and who are daily performing the duties of citizenship, from
whom to select the required leaders not only amon