The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-12
Gov. Hoyt's Message.

that do not suit the stalwart ldea. we
publish il that our readers may judge it
for themselves. He says:
In Pennsylvania the people have de-
termined upon change. What
does this decision meant To this
question three answers are proposed
one cynical and desperate, another
pessimis,ic and hopeless, and a third
patriotic and rcassuring.
The first expresses the feeling and
wishes of the professional politician.
To him the change is only a turn in
the fortunes of a game, whereby he
has lost or won the stakes for which
he played-the spoils of place and
power. Accustomed to watch his luck
and "hedge" as often as he can and
dare, he is perplexed by one OF two
problems only: how to retrieve his
losses, or how to spend his winnings.
The prvalence of his view is not at all
surprising. This class of statesmen
despise the people whom they would
cajole, and rely for their success, even
more upon the apathy of the pure and
intelligent, than upon the activity of
the selfish and unscrupulous.
The second view regards the recent
overturn as mere caprice OF mobile
voters, public spasm, a sentimental
convulsion. 1t is based, Willingly or
unwlttingly, upon latent distrust
of the people it imports low view
of American manhood, aud a secret,
bnt ill disguised, disbelief in our capac-
ity for self-government IL it be, in
deed, well grounded, then there is little
hope for the perpetuity of our institu-
tions, and for that magnificent indus
trial and political development which
is the staple of our noblest day
dreams.
But the third view is more hopeful
and patriotic. According to it, this
change marks the beginning of new
epoch in our political life. Those who
cherish it, argue that thousands of our
best citizens, relieved of the pressure
of national anxieties, and unwilling to
live forever in the past, are beginning
to study the nature and details of
State and. municipal government as
never before are awaking to the busi-
ness and scientific character OF political
problems, and have determined to
thrust aside every individual, and
every contrivance, that stands between
them and the management of their
own affairs. They will no longer be
content with automatic activity in
politics they demand a conscious
share in this noblest pursuit of intelli
gent men. The people have come TO
claim their own without the interven-
ton of middlemen.
If this view be correct, then the oc-
cupation of the professional politician
is gone. He belongs to doomed
species ne has outlived the only envi-
ronment adapted to his nourishment,
and must shortly pass away. That
this is true, is indicated by our lineage,
our traditions and the character of our
recent progress. We are the descen-
dants of men who defed kings and
parliaments we are the children of
men who destroyed the congressional
caucus, and created the national con-
vention. Our citizens are meeting in
their oranges and trades unions, in
their industrial leagues and CONNER
clal guilds, and are becoming keenly
alive to every day bearings of politics
upon their own and their children's
welfare Even the primary meeting,
once treated as utterly beyond the pale
of the law, the sport of the juggler
and the rogue, has become the subject
of legislative enactment and protection.
Nay more, even the promises of party
platforms conform to the quickened
senses of the people, and the necessity
of other and better methods has re-
ceived a certain grave and reveren-
tial recognition in party deliveran-
ances.
But Rome was not built in day,
nor can the political habits of a hall
century be transformed by single de-
cree, even though registered at the
ballot-box. If, therefore, condemned
political methods are to become per-
manently disreputable, the thought
full citizens of this Commonwealth
must be ever on the alert. ready at
any moment to re-assert their strength,
and TO claim the fruits of their own
victory.
Politicians are willing enough in the
day of the peoples power. But the
leaders of new epoch must be more
than mere refectors of current thought
and feeling. They must be sagacious
and intrepid, more ready to serve the
people than themselves. Such leaders
can live only in an atmosphere of intel
ligence and civic courage. The peo
pie then must be prompt and generous
in the support of real merit but at the
same time they must make every pub
lie servant understand that he is ser
want and not master, and that each
and all, the highest and lowest, wheth
er paid the by year or paid by the day
must render faithful and unremittine
service.
| The people must tolerate no spurious
economies, no counterfeit reforms, NJ
mere partisan strategies, no judicia
perversions, no legislative excesses, NJ
administration in the interest of per
sons or classes, or even in the exclusive
interest of parties. They must b'
quick to discern, swift to censure wha
is clearly wrong, and equally swift t.
praise what is clearly right. The,
must make the men in power feel tina
the eyes of thousands are upon them
and that the day of judgment is al
} ways going on. But above all, the,
NUT never suffer the conviction I,
take root that the recent changes wer,
only freaks of circumstances-onl,
spasms of an unstable public mind
only the caprices of irritated and tran
sient feeling.
| The Titans will never conquer tn,
Gods if the Gods awake to the com
bat the baser forces of society Cal
never permanently overmaster the pur
er, if the purer will only add to thei
convictions, courage-if their will pow
er once becomes as active as their in
telligence. The enemies of good gov
ernment will not be idle Never 81
very numerous, they multiply them