Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-02-22
Leader and Boss.

There is much tslk nowadays about
political leaders and political bosses
The American idea is to elevate by edu-
cation, to an extent, that every citizen
shall be his own leader and his own boss.
This done. the American people will be
sovereigns, and not until then will the
divine right TO shape events shine forth
in all its majesty; not until then will the
Government be OF the people, by the peo-
pie and for the people. The leader and
boss idea is tribal, to be traced back to
savagery. In rescuing it from its jungle
home designing men have crowned it
and made it kingly in power. AS re-
suit, the world is cursed by the claim set
up by the few of "divine right" to rule
over the maryland the many, prefering
TO live slaves rather than die freemen,
crawl in the presence OF their self-con-
stituted superiors. The American idea
is that all men are born equal. Strike
down that idea and away goes the Re-
public. The American idea ID in eternal
antagouism to man worship and boss
rule. To hear men designate certain in
dividuals as leaders, whose word is law
and who must be followed with blind
devotion that distinguishes the move
ments of gregarious beasts and birds, is
an insult to intelligence, an affront to
sovereignty, b disgrace to manhood, and
can not BE- Tolerated without producing
an sever increasing harvest Of National
humiliations. In Russia the query is,
what does the Czar say? He is leader and
boss combined. In Germany Bismark is
leader and boss. It would be easy to ex.
tend the list OF countries where leader
and boss are everything and the people
nothing in shaping the affairs OF govern
meut. In such countries the laws create
the leaders and the bosses, and the peo-
pie submit preforce. The people Of the
United States often bewal the condition
Lof down-trodden millions who are
crushed and cursed by the despotic pow
or Of "divine" rulers and bosses, while
they themselves are scarcely less abiect,
| and Of their own free Wilis fell into line
under leader and boss domination, with
An obedience as ssrviIs as ever distin,
guished serf. Daily reference is made
10 leadership in the Congress Of the
United States. In the Senate and in the
House certain men are designated as lead
err. These leaders have their bosses
| Other Senators and Representatives, dis
carding their peerage, blindly follow the
leader. or il they give signs OF nobility Of
soul, independence Of thought, then the
bosses come to the front 70 bring the re-
celebrating members to terms. There
ought to be, doubtless, q recognized diff
ference between leader and boss, just as
there il recognized difference between
wind and wisdom, gnat and giraffe, but
the terms have become interchangeable to
a lareeldegree and now regarded.as prac-
tically synonymous. As circumstances
require the leader gets down to the level
Of Tho boss, and the boss rises TO the ele-
walton Of the leader; and thus we have
4 ceaseless reference 10 boss rule, the effect
OF which is anything but creditable to
the masses of the people. Those who
discuss educational affairs tell US that
the hope OF the country is in the school;
that rising generations must be educated
up to q plane where Independence OF
\ Thought will be the glory Of che country,
u and this accomplished, boss rule will dis.
appear. II the theory ID correct, and we
confess it appears plausible, the school
will be worth all it costs. II independ-
ence is to b. the Nations, boast it must
be an independence of thought, Of &C.
ton, of will, and of vote. 1t must be
above man worship, boss rule and ma
chine politics. Men required to obey
laws must be able to comprehend laws
and frame laws. In country where all
men are sovereigns mind forces should
be free to act.g IL education can hreal
the shackies which bessisln mas forged
if it can make the ballot
weapon that come down as still
As snow fakes fall upon the cod.
Yet executes freemans will
As lightning does the wlllof God
then by all means let education have fire.
course to run and DO glorified.