The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1867-02-28
Hours with the NewspaperS--NO g.
.a.,l ..I.H- HHg --- . IE .agH..n.
Il.E .rrsp. BY PHIDELTA, f.rsar..r .r....

NJ
A republican government is theoreti-
cally, government vested in the peo-
pie, a government managed according
to the reasons,of the people, It's pre-
sumed thatinSuch a government every
movement or change is guided by rea-
son; or, at least by that which appears
most reasonable to q majority Of the
people. The theory is not that every
person is sufficiently versed in political
economy to take uponhimself the mau-
agement of public affairs !; but that he
may know enough for all the purposes
of civil goyernment to be trusted with a
share in the selection of law makers and
rulers.l The probability is that a ma
jority of the people will not err at once;
or if they make mistake that suc-
ceeding majority will rectify it. 1t is
impossible for men to devise a form of
government that,will exclude all liabili-
ty to mistake The formation of politi-
cal parties in arepublican government
is unavoidable; nor is it desirable that
there should not be parties while hu-
man nature eontinuesto need Watching.
While men stand before the people as
candidates for office, they, or others for
them are expected to give reasons, or
what they may call reasons, why their
measures or principles should be ap-
proved and themselves elected. In the
manner above intimated, the newspaper
press of this country is largely employ
ed, SO much so, that the most Of them
are called political newspapers. 1t may
be both curious and useful to review
some of the prominent methods EN-
ployed to convince and influence the
masses We refer to no particular par
ty. It will be borne in mind that the
Objects to get the greater number of
people to vote one way; hence tits not
surprising that sophistry is often en-
ployed for many are satisfied with the
endwith6ut regard to themeans I,
Men are fond of moneys or that
which amounts to the same thing-fond
Of what money will buy, Some are un-
reasonably fond Of it; hence they are
easily influenced by appeals. to the podk-
et The fairest showing of economyin
the management of the government
turns the scale And this often with
out consideration of the real wants Of
the government, That economy should
receive grave consideration is not de-
MED but that the argument is often
pushed to an extreme may be as conf
dently affirmed lD"5 =. .'e. r'sA74s .
Then there are repeated appeals to
prejudice This isunot reason for itsup'
! poses that a mans opinions are formed
without special reason, as from early
training, bias of education, force O
habit and the like; while the appeal il
that he may have all other considera.
tons to cluster around that pre-judg-
ment The decision of the most i'm
portant questions is made to hinge up
on the most triAing prejudice. 1t il
true that either good or bad results may
follow when prejudice decides; but i
is not the end, but the logical meanl
that we have in view. Reason is safe
than blind following of prejudice. A
man may walk over bridge safely
with his eyes shut; but the probabilit!
is that he will not make misstep if hi
eyes are open. , ~ @ ~
q Then there are appeals to the pas
sions and feelings. To present object
truthfully and titly to the sympathie
and compassion of othersis not wholly
Objectionable is not at all objectioha
BILE in appropriate cases. But the object
Of popular sympathy are often imagina
ry; and mistake is often made in publi'
affairs when persons are substituted fo
principles. It's favorite employment
Of some politicians to arouse animosi
ties andlhatredj and the blindness of ar
excess of madness sometimes results
Violent passions, once aroused, spur