Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1888-02-24
YOUNG MEN In POLITICS

It's a noticeable fact that young
men are coming to the front IN
the political arena, and this is par
ticularly true of Missouri. The
time was when old men were cho-
sen for counsel and young men for
war, but the day seems to have
passed VIII IN the young men must
undergo the hardships of q cam
palgn without sharing in the hon
ors of the victory.
The usage has been to keep n
man in office so long as his abili-
ties fitted him for the place, and
when these conditions ceased to ex-
lst, the official resorted to every
conceivable intrigue to blind the
people, and thus be enabled to hold
on to that which should be given
up to another. Out of this intrigue
has grown combinations and
ellques that so often nearly oblit-
crate party lines, and degenerate
a political fight into a disgraceful
scramble for office.
But there is an element coming
up, since the old saw, cold men for
counsel and young men for war"
mas been dispensed with, that will
have a tendency to purify politl-
cal parties Of whatever name. This
element Is composed of the young
men of the country. In the past
they have never been permitted to
demand the recognition due them.
But the knowledge that, the un-
scrupulous work of combinations
and cliques has kept old politicians
in office far beyond their day, and
only permitted such young men to
share in the honors and emol-
uments, as would sacrifice every
vestige of political honesty and
then wait for one of the old ones
to die, has started train OF
thought that will eventuate in un-
told good to the state and nation.
The fact has become notorious
that merit no longer wins, but that
our officials, from the President
down, are chosen by the manipula-
tions of the combinations, and
even the judges in our courts of |
justice, are, too often, third rate
lawyers, who obtained their posi-
tions by political wire pulling
with dishonest political
combination. While the old poll |
tlclans have permitted their know.
ledge to be swallowed up in in |
trigue the young men have been
thinking, and their political prin-
ciples are as clearly defined to-day
as if cut in marble, and whether
Democrat or Republican, are able
to give a reason for the faith that
is in them. This power is being
felt and the old, conceited politi-
clans are beginning to tremble.
Place the best talent of the young
men beside them and they secretly
at the comparison.
This condition of affairs exists
in every state and territory, but to
us the comparison is most forcibly
presented by our present repre-
sentative in Congress, and this
comparison is the hope of the Re
publican party in the First Dis
trict. The present incumbent not
only broke faith whith those who
had served him best, but fathered
4 most undemocratic measure.
which was born ON the public COM
mons and of doubtful parentage,
that to claim the illegiti- ]
nate offspring would give him {
prestige with the masses. {
Place beside political travesty
If this kind such men as Sam !
loole of Macon, and W. ID. Old '
lam of Adair and he would c
lwindle into insignifcance. With t
uch men as these to lead the !
Democratic hosts in the First Dis