The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-08-05
Undertaking the People.
New York Times

1t is our belief that politicians and
party organs very generally underrat'
both the intelligence and the honesty of
the great mass of the people of this
country. The security of free govern.
ment like ours rests absolutely upon
popular intelligence and integrity, and
unless they prevail over the forces OF
chicanerY and false prelense there is no
safety for the republic There are, no
doubt, classes of uz,ns which are nu
merons in some communi les that can be
easily mislei by demagogues-citzens
who are too ignorant 70 comprehend
their own share in the responsibility for
good government and with a moral
sense so blunt that they can be led
through sordid motives to act against
the general welfare. But the people OF
the United States as whole are very
apt to reach sound conclusions and TO
act according to the dictates OF good
sense and common honesty in the end.
The men who secured the nomination
of Mr.. Blaine at Chicago, and who a e
most Jealous in their effort TO promote
his election, seems to have acted and to
be acting on the assumption either that
the people can be deceived regarding
the facts Of his career aud the qualities
that make up his character, or that they
are Indifferent to the standard OF public
and private action OF candidate 10
whom they are asked 70 give their cor
G ience In fact both of these assump.
ti,ns appear 10 have been made and to
he very persI.tently adhered 10. What
Mr. Blaine is and what he has done is a
matter of public record. How it is to
be judged depends upon the moral and
political standard OF those who are to
Judge him. He has shown himself ca
liable of using position OF public in
flencs and responsibility TO promote bis
own personal gain, and the evidence has
been furnished largely ny himself He
has shown himself capable Of great du-
plicity and arrogant false pretense when
driven 10 shield his conduct from ex-
posurs. In dealing with public gues-
tioas and great interests lie has never
exhibited thorough i formation, sound
tb ought. stable convictions, and uprigb,
purposes, but has resorted to displays OF
rhetoric, appeals 10 prejudice, aad tricks
Of deception to mske popular impress
sion which he believed would be favor
able to his ends.
His supporters, some Of whom are
self-deceiyed, seem to think it possible
to make the people believe that Mr..
Blaine is profound statesman and a
pute patriot They ether hope to keep
his real character concealed or TO have
their own interpre alion Of the facts of
his career accepted, 10 this they unde :.
rate the general intelligence, who will
eagerly seek the evidence OF what Is al
le led aud judge il by their own feen
,mmon sense II ihese men cs: q IT
prevent the people from arriving at q
sound jl lgment they hope to induce
them to act in violation OF its dictates
Therein they underrate the moral sense
and honesty OF conviction OF the aver
age American citizen, who represents
the majority OF all American ciizens
Tie same statements spply TO their ef-
forts 10 fa!si'y the character and record
Of the opposing candidate. The facts
cannot be concealed, nor can the people
Tor any long time be deluied 10 regard
TO them.
The workiugmen Of tie country are
peculiarly subject to The kind of insult
to their intelligence and honesty thst Is
Implied in every effort - deceive ana
msiead them. II is assumed that they
are incapable Of exact information and
clear iieas and that they can be controlled
through ignorance. 1t is often those
who make the greatest pretense OF being
their frieuds fiat take this low view Of
their capacity to judge and of their dis
position to act upon principles of honesty
We believe that all such calculations
upon the inability of the people TO un-
derstand the matters in regard to which
they are called upon to judge and to act
10 the exercise Of their rights as citizans
upon their willingness 10 sustain that
which is essentially bad are based upon
false estimate OF the popular cbaraC-
ter We are neither "a nation Of ras.
Gals" NOE nation vi fouls.