Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-22
OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON TER.
FRIDAY EVEG, SEPT. D, 1852
The Drift of Popular Sentiment.


The Drift of Popular Sentiment.
Come. Let us Reason Together.
While we are far from induigirG
the belief that the need Tor strict |
party organization has passed away, |
or that it is not usually the most
effective means OF instituting needed
reforms in the management OF public
matters, experience demonstrates
that an occasie nal condition of affairs
exists which not only excuses A GUS
pension of party rules, but the
highest promptings of patriotism
suggest such course. There are
times when public necessity requires
that citizens should unite for the
advancement of some object of great
local importance. and for the time
being forget the preferences and
preiudices which nnderlie questions
of national breadth, upon which,
although but insignificant factors, we
all feel an interest common to Amer
lean citizens. Our Territorial con-
dition as dependents, without voice
in directing national affairs, might
obviate, altogether the necessity OF
keeping up party organizations, were
it not that we feel an abiding interest
in all that affects our common coun-
try; but as far as any practical result
is concerned in influencing the pol
tics of the nation, We might just
as we'll save our efforts till the dig
nifty of Statehood is attained. I'm
der ordinary circumstances, it would
seem that besides being the proper
means Of keeping alive an interest in
the cardinal principles OF popular
government, our general elections
might be made the means of advanc-
ing local reform and correcting abuse
of power, providing, of course, the
people are not made TO believe that
they are actually voting for bona
fide member Of Congress, and pro-
baby deciding by their sufrages
some question of great national
importance. This idea is carefully
nourished and fed by political dema-
gogues. It is the only means OF
keeping people from acting and vo'
ting in accordance with their own
sense of propriety. They are made
to accept an ideal good for real
benefit, the shadow for the substance,
the prospect Of blessing from aiar
rather than to look for one nearer
home.
This plan has become so thorough
ly understood and ably manipulated
by the political managers and the
people SO responsive to the hyfalutin
buncome incident to q canvass, that
for many years past, local objects
have been either wholly ignored or
ruthessly sacrificed, to subserve what
the voter is made to believe is O
far greater attainment. Gradually,
however, the scales have been falling
from his eyes. Slowly but surely
the party bonds have been weaken
ing, and the power of the lash in
the hands of self-constituted bosses,
has been growing gradually and
beautifully less, until now we find
scores of hitherto stalwart partisans
who declare their intention to labor
hereafter for their own interests as
taxpayers and citizens, instead of
the men who constantly cry Give
give! who sit in comfortable offices
and receive double and triple the
pay for few hours services that
the voter does for his long days toll
What sense is there in clinging to
the coat tails of some ffth-rate man,
that q dozen office-holders may re-
main in Federal position with a pros
pect of being their Our successors
BY what sound rule of business
economy are men kept in Office
lntil they become careless and
neglectful of duty, simply because
they help to 8" set up the pins" for
ihe Federal ring? Why is it that
American citizens are less careful in
the management of those interests
which directly concern their person
al welfare, than they are i'll devotion
toparty names and platforms which
do not possess particle of force in
directing the course of national poll
tics? The reasons have been stated.
The people are blinded by the soph-
istry Of those who use them as the
ivory images in the game of chess.
If reform was ever needed in the