River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-09
Politics..

WV SSiNuNS VI SVNSiuluNuR. 1OuiuiuSu
with morals it means tnat part of ethics
which has to do with the regulation
and government of state or nation,
embracing some particular system Of
principles and rules concerning duty,
whether true OF false; these rules being
confined to single class Of human
actions. In one sense of the word il
means the defense of country, aud of
its rights against foreign conquest, aud,
consequently, of its control thereby.
But the true sense of the word, aud
its real significance as now used and
practiced, are widely different. As we
now hear it used it means nothing
more than the management of politi-
cal party, or the advancement of some
pet candidate for Office. And, worse
than this, it not unfrequently means an
artful or dishonest course or system of
management to secure the success Of
some political measure or party scheme,
with no scruples about the means used
and entirely regardless of conseq
Hence when we see or hear people
talking politics" now .a-days, we sci.
do 10 20 IL
wrangling. So, too, when newspapers
are filed with nothing but political
discussions and personal denunciations,
they are thrown aside, and their con.
tents little needed This is the result
Of our observation, at least, and we hail
with joy this new era in our couatry's
HISTORIAN era which, we trust, is
dawning upon every civilized country on
the face of the earth.
The people of to-day are bursting
those narrow contracted political pref.
udices which have so long interfered
with their estimate of private individ-
uals, and they have thrown off all re-
straint about expressing themselves
favorably of man, notwithstanding
the fact that he may be their political
opponent. 1t is quite TOO late in the
day to allow political opposition to de-.
generate into personal aatipathy, since
it shows a weakness which is scarcely
pardonable in any person of an other.
wise generous nature. If we must
continue to make politics the subject Of
personal quarrels, the fact is deeply to
be depIored, since the development of
this kind of party spirit can only prove
an unmitigated curse. We believe
that political parties are aecessary ,hence
we believe that honorable poli,icr1 dis
cussion is not only legitimate but prof.
itab'e, even unto Righteousness. We
must have governments-they are alb.
solutely indispensable, aud SO long as
We have governments we must have
politics. Nor is it well that all the
people under government should be
agreed upon one line of political policy.
An opposition is just as much necessity
as the government itself Without il
some adverse wind would upset il. Any
government needs to be tried both by
wind and tide FIRE aud water Hence
political parties are an absolute necessi-
ty; nor is a country in any danger of
going to destruction. let its govern
ment, for the time, fall into the hands
of either party. We should agree to
differ, 50 that the acts of either party
may be closely watched--watched in
interests Of the public. Let this be
done in a spirit of candor, aud he is but
contemplate bigot who can see no
merit whatever in political opponent.
Political virtue is not confined to any
one class of politicians. 1t is not nee.
essary in this courtry for man TO be
born with silver spoon in his mouth,
or with any particular political creed
in his head, to entitle him to the respect
Of his neighhors. A child need not, Of
necessity, follow the condition Of his
parents. With sterling qualities Of
heart and mind-.with industry, fru.
gality and perseverance combined, a
man or woman may rise IN society 10
claim that position which their merits
demand. The fact that a man is a
stone mason, rail splitter, hod carrier.
a piowman or tailor. should not mil.
tate against his efforts to rise, or 10 any
way lessen him in the estimation of