The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-08-01

MONROE, La. AUGUST 1. 1879.
THE STUDY OF POLITICS A DUTY.
1t is becoming quite fashionable with
certain newspapers and a small class of
our people to deprecate the discussion
of political topics. Vague and undo
fined illusions are made by these would
be reformers to country editors and pol
iticians who are guilty of the trans
erosion of UNFOLDING their country's
honor. and interests, as strife-breedels
and malconteats, aspersions, singularly
enough, culled from the choice vocabu.
larry of the Radicals themselves.
1t is a mistaken notion to suppose
that any people living under a repub-
lican form Of government, even though
it he restricted as ours is, can perpetu-
ate tho blessings of liberty without the
discussion of politics. An Individual
can mako no confession more humiliat-
ing than that he Is Indifferent about
the politics of his country. He should
not only take pride In the study of the
many political questions which neces-
sarily arise in the administration of
government, but he should regard it
as an imperative duty. He labors to
master the abstruse theoreins of his
profession, or to become proficient as
mechanic, or successful as an agricul-
turist, and he is encouraged so to do !;
and yet we are wisely told he must not
investigate those measures which per-
tain to the administration of his gov
eminent, and which must of necessity
affect, for good or evil, tho interests of
his trade or calling and the peace and
prosperity of his fircside, because, for
sOOth, that would be sdabbling in pol.
itics." This is simple feresy. It can
only spring from want of reflection, or
is urged by men having Interior de-
signs which can be better accomplished
without discussion.
Politics is essentially a science, tho
study of which enables one to comprc-
bend the intricate machinery of gov
ernlncnt, and to shape his course, rs
one Of the sovereign rulers of tho land,
the prosperity and happiness of his
Acknowledgment. To cote Is to rule.
How important, therefore, it is that wo
should vote intclligcntly-with full
knowledge of tho issues upon which
we are voting. Ordinarily, there arc
but few men, it is true, in any COM
munity, who have ample time to de-
vote to political research. But by dis
cussion they readily collect together
the best fruits of tho researches Of
Others, and are in this way enabled to
arrive at an honest and Intelligent
conviction of thoir duty as voters and
rulers. The subjects of monarchies and
despotisms alone should say they care !
nothing for politics, since they have no |
voice in the selection of their rulers or |
the decision of the great questions which,
affect their political prosperity. An
American citizen should make such n
declaration only with shame, since it
is n confession that he at least docs not
value tho right Of self-government and !
is in effect willing to have others rule
over him.
When the people Of this country shall
have reached the stage of Indifference,
AS to their political rights and inter-
ests, just noticed by us, then indeed
will they be prepared to receive an en-
peror or IL king. They will have be-
como mere passive spectators in their
own government, idly regarding tho
ambitious struggles of rival leaders,
and ready to receive tho yoke of him
who proves most powerful. external
vigilance is the price of liberty" 1t is
tho high privilege of a freeman to e&-
amino into the affairs of his government,
and to condemn or approve the acts Of
its highest functionary, according to
the best dictates Of his judgment and
discretion. This privilege is his safe
guard against the wilcs and machina-
tions of dishonest public servants, and
the very sheet anchor of his safety, as
n freeman, in the political storms which
and necessarily sweep over
the land To refilSa fO cyerciso tbis