The hydraulic press., 1859-05-14
THE EVIL AND THE REMEDY.

oe"tS tHe1 lh0 SCNCia POliliCdl pai liCo Which
seek to rule it and are now zealously organ
izing for approaching conflict, say nothing
about the domestic policy they mean to pur-
sue or the kind of men they mean to present
for Office, but everything aboutpartizan tests,
platforms and leaders. We repeat, that this
is not good sign for the welfare of the State,
because it betrays the same indifference to
public interests which has so long and dis
astrousiy prevailed. We do not bewail the
ish. Parties must exist where there is free
dom of opinion. They are the conservators
of that freedom as of that general liberty
which is the basis of our republican govern
ment. But we regret that the maintenance
of party organization should have become,
instead of the means to an end the end it.
self. We regret, that public interests should
be made subservient to private ones, and
committed to the charge Of blatant dema-
gogues who have deserved well of ''the par
ty,'' not of their country. The radical cause
of this evil is to be found in the people
themselves, who blindly obey partizan be-
hests, and fail to WELD the purifying power
that resides with them alone. The voters of
California have but little right to complain
as they do of the misconduct or inefficiency
of their official agents, for these are of their
own election and reflect the character of
those who gave them power. When the
public indifference was greater than it is
now, the character of those who held office
was proportionably lower, and has only been
elevated with the gradual elevation of pub
lie sentiment. Let the people manifest more
devotion to the general welfare, and office
holders and office seekers will do the same.
So long as the control of primary meetings
and nominating conventions is left with a
minority of scheming selfsts, just so long
will unfit men be foisted into public position
to the exclusion of those better qualified
There is no reason in the nature of things
why politics and integrity should be dissoci-
ated. Instances are plentiful of astute poll
ticians who serve the State with devotion
and integrity. Indeed, that man who has
earnest political opinions conjoined with
some partizan experience, can better serve
his constituents than he who lacks these
qualifications. The part of wisdom is to
purify parties, instead of seeking to destroy
or ignore them. They are here, fixed insti-
tutions and can be made useful ones. They
can be made subservent to the interests OF
! the State, to her material, social and moral
advancement. All that is necessary is, that
men who will strive to promote these pr-
mary wants and not sacrifice them to abstract
questions Of national application, be alone
elected to conduct the government, to make
and administer the laws, and to mould the
estiny of the commonw Let the peo-
pie crowd to the primary meetings as to a
general election, resolved to put down bar
room influence and selfish cliques Do not
/ send to your county conventions the loafers
and sapheads who can be wheedied into
supporting any sort of candidate, and
whom you never would permit in your fami-
ly circles but send the best men in the pre-
cinct, men who would rather not go, who
perhaps cannot afford 10 go-send them, even
if you have to pay their expenses. Make a
mans moral character test in primary
meetings and there will not be so many
lacking moral character in official positions.
We consider the irresponsible tyranny of
party great evil here is the remedy. Shall
we use it, or drift on at the mercy of dema-
gogues?