The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-22
LETTERS TO YOUNG REPUBLICANS.
Written for the indianapolis Journal.
mo. 2

mo. 2.
My young friend, government is a necessity.
Did you ever see a herd of deer! If so, did it
occur to you that it was an organized com
munity, to some extent ruled by law9 Doubtless
it did not so appear to you, yet 1t is true. Ithas
been observed that one deer, larger, more lion
like than his fellows, stalks in front of the rest
of the herd, who, unless invited or in need of
protection, never venture into his kingly pres
ence. He controls the band in movement,
choice of pasture, in battle and in fight. He
has fought his way to supremacy, and by fight
ing musthe maintain it. He is, as you readily
see, a blessing to the herd. With
out his dominance, confusion would
reign and the common safety be endangered.
l would have you know that a State or nation
is only a highly organized herd, with this differ
ence: Deer are actuated in their movements by
their appetites, desires and passions. That indi-
vidual in which these are most intensely de-
veloped becomes leader. Through his animal
traits, purely selfish, he reaches the place of
command. All the power he Yields he has
wrested from his mates. To maintain his posi-
ton he must be v%igilant. Men organize lin the
present age) a community. and voluntarily ap-
point and maintain persons in authority. You
and L are willing subjects of government. Deer
never are.
Now, in every county, State and nation,
! there are a number of men who are
not actuated by any higher motives
desires and passions. They, like deer, act from
animal motives, and, like animals, need restraint.
You admit this2
But, furthermore-though a fool is not always
a fool, yet the wisest man is sometimes a fool
there are times when a whole State, nay, when
eleven States may be fools. The best of us
have not so well subdued our animal nature
that it will not now and then unseat the mind
and riot with the judgment. A family horse will
sometimes run away and smash the carriage. L
think you will clearly see, from these considera-
tlons, that government is essential to all men
bad and good alike. Since government must be,
it should be effective.
Fast bind, fast find. If your horse is securely
tied when you leave him, you may
expect to find him when you return. A govern
ment should bind fast; it should be firm and con-
slant. You have such a one now. To preserve
it should be your purpose in voting. This is the
great reason, but it is often lost sight of in the
glare of minor issues. There are other why's,
but this is the vast why. Now, your vote will
not amount to much if alone, no matter how
good your reasons for casting it. You must join
an organization, for the sake of the strength
there is in numbers. In determining which party
it shall be ask yourself these questions: d. which
party would be frmest in a crisisl 2 which
party has been frmest2 l will answer the first.
You may think it twaddie to talk of crises when
none is at hand, but vigilance is the price of lib
erty." No haymaker knows when a rain is coming,
yet that does not keep him from being prepared
for it. No less than Eve times have instructions
risen in our country, short as has been its life,
and none can tell how near to trouble We were
in 1876. l am not saying too much when 1 state
that government is subject to a strain once in
each generation. All men are not angels.
There is one party in this country that be
lieves, and always has believed, fast bind, fast
find Its history proves this. That party is
the Republican party. 1t will firmly, yet mild
ly, bind together all the people put under its
care. 1t is the party for you to stick to. 1t has
been tried, and found to hold fast. 1t is attract
i've, not repellant. 1t has all the properties of
the hoop, but none of the wedge. Cement!
-CoNNERsvILLE, Ind. II. n. E.