Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-01
For the Sunday Appeal 80
The Society for Political EducatfOn.

I
The Society for Political Educatfon.
BY MARGUERITE LAMsDERUR. =
We hear much of the necessity of parties in
a republican form of government. In the
low stage of morality to which mankind has
thus far attained, it is unsafe to calculate
upon any motive except self-interest; and,
consequently, our hope of reasonably good
government rests mainly upon the expecta-
ton that zeal for private advancement will
lead politicians of opposite parties to keep
such close watch upon each other as to eI-
pose eorruptions before their evils are ire
parable. But while it is doubtless true that
party lealousies will long remain to fulfill an
important function in the body polite, we
should not forget that they belong to an inn
perfect state of things, and that in
the ideal form of society, which we should
| ever have in view, the chief incentive for en-
tering the public service will be desire of
the common welfare; and where such a SEN
| timent prevails, the necessity for watchful-
| ness is obviously extinct. This Utopia lies
far from our times, but the most effective
means of reaching it is, manifestly, to in
crease our own measure of patriotism and
humanity. Just at present there are many
signs favorable to the extension of these vir-
tues. We have reached period in our ca
reer when the national bond is more closely
drawn than it has ever been. Mere sectional
divisions are yielding to questions of social
and economic interest. There are many in
cications that We are entering upon an era
when disinterested statesmen will be per-
mitted to turn their minds from petty strife
to consider the best means of utilizing our
vast resources, and to prepare for the time
when our broad territories will no
longer afford abundant sustenance to
the over-crowded populations of old
er countries. Statesmen, however, are
almost powerless in free country without
the intelligent cooperation of the mass of
the people. To secure this Intelligent CO.
operation something more is required than
mere good intentions ON the part of voters |
Good Intentions are extremely valuable, but
knowledge and judgment must direct them |
If they are not to run the risk of fatal blum |
derIDg. Patriotism and humanity, like all |
other moral qualities, need the guidance OF !
the intellect, and not few pieces of baneful |
legislation have been sustained by we'll |
meet this want of special training, there has |
recently been organized in New York a
Society for Political Education. 1t proposes
to issue at intervals tracts on economic sub
jects, simpli6ed and condensed for ready
apprehension. The society also recommends
annually other approved works on kindred
topics, which it supplies to members at
reduced rates. The organization is now
entering upon its second year. Last
year it issued FIVE tracts, of which
the authorship gives sufficient guar
antee of value and interest The FIRST,
What is Bank is from the able pen of
Mr.. Edward Atkinson. The others show on
the title pages such names as David A. Mills,
Richard A Dana, jr, n. G. Sumner and
others of like character. Besides these tracts,
the society published last year four small
OF excellent reading: Politics for
Young Americans, by Charles Nordhoff; Amer
lean Politics, by Alexander Johnston; PolG
ral Economy, by Arthur Latham Perry, and
The Alphabet IN Fmdncc, by Graham
McAdam. The official year begins on the
LIST of January. Circulars can be obtained
oy addressing r. L. Dugdale, No. 4 Morton
street. New York city. 1t is greatly to be
desired that all good citizens should unite in
.nrthering SO admirable an undertaking.
With the opening of the new year it would
'eem that we could not better evinee- our ,
gratitude to our country for the unparalleled
freedom and prosperity which characterize
,ur national life than by resolving to con-
ribute our quota of Intelligent action
o the maintenance OF these blessings. More
,ver, in the conflict of opinions which ,
hreatens to rob our modern life of all ide-
ility, we should cling the more closely TO the I
me sentiment which has survived all changes |
nd promises to be the guiding star OF our
uture. Fortunate will it be for those who
an break the chains of merely selfish desire I
nd enter into the Joy and freedom OF a life
o unison with the great life Of humanity. !