St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-07-05
BETTER POLITICS.

Lamson of st. Johnsbury. "Dutyn
was his theme. He argued for bet
ter education, better home, a better
society and better politics. Speak
of the latter point, he said =
The time has come in the enlarge
ment of our fame and national resourc-
es for better science of politics in
which public wisdom shall be touched
by the spirit of duty. A great selfish
ness may have a more honorable name
than a small one, but it's essential evil
is the same. True patriotism in re-
public should be devotion to the ma
ton because of it's usefulness to the
world. We are not altogether altruis-
tic in our national pride. It is not
enough for the patriot to think of the
greatness of our power or wealth or the
rapidity of our progress, to the genius
that discovers forces and the best use
of force, of the large cities and fertile
acres,-Of our coal and iron,-of the
truth, if it be a truth that this is 'fthe
best country the sun ever shOne upon"
of the magnitude and the trustwOrth-
mess of our business spirit, which
Lecky calls the peculiar virtue of COM
mercial nations,-of the glory of our
institutions which the world should ad-
patriot citizen to inquire, has the Unit
ed States clear opportunity for duty
The question for the new politics to
ask, is not what place does our country
occupy in the eyes of the world but
what place does the world occupy in
our eyes. Not what are our gains, but
Il h.
question in the interests of our vitality
and permanence is not how shall we
gain wealth, business and swollen
census; but what is due to men from
our health and prosperity We have
quite enough of coarse and eXhibitOry
greatness. Politics, diplomacy, states
manship, have as their clear problem
the duty of making our thoughts great,
it is time for the country to enter upon
a course of sacrifice, of decided and
strenuous energy away from self. The
real patriotism is love for the country.
The pagan theory of government that
to the "victors belong the spOils"
should yield to the Christian that to
the victors belong the duties. AS per-
sOnal leadership has in free republic
something of the charm it possesses in
a monarchy, the party that chooses
leaders is called to select men, not as
horses are selected, that they may run
well, but that they may be worthy of
the peoples trust and guides in public
duty.
The questions exalted by the time are
the motive of the tariff, temperance,
socialism, civil service and our rela-
tions to other nations. The question
before and above them is, shall they be
settled by the politics that is the sci
ence of selfishness or that which is the
science of duty7 Many are in doubt
as to the best adjustment of these ques-
tions of business and sentiment, they
ask of statesmen that they be lifted in
to the light. What is the motive of
the tariff that shall make us in our
strength most useful to the world !?
What is the theory of temperance upon
which temperance legislation ought to
be based? How shall party give to
all classes their dues that they may
give their dues to each other [? What
one shall ask first, not, who will give
more votes, the plutocracy or the pro-
letariat but how shall we give to each
the spirit that asks -
How gain in life as life advances,
ValOr and charity more and more!
How shall the theory prevail that office
is not the peoples gift of honor nor the
reward of service, but itself service
Who shall lay deep the basilar princi-
pie that in all our relations to other
nations, in copyright, fisheries and
matters of common concern, diplomacy
is the art of discovering duties as well
as rights. These questions L have ask
ed, not from convictions concerning the
parties that now interest us or govern
us, but in the interest of that improved
politics that shall be touched by the
spirit of duty. [ am certainly not ask
ing for a new party, for while it is clear
that the perils from party government
are great, the perils from the govern
ment of factions is greater. | ask that
the spirit of obligation shall be the
light in which politics shall walk.
STATE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
The republicans of Vermont, by their
delegates in state convention as
sembled, accept and fully indOrse the
platform adopted by the national con-
ventiOn at Chicago as a clear and for
chile presentation of the principles of
the party, and with Harrison and Nor
ton inscribed Oh their banner as the
persOnitication of a high character and
clean politics, and sure guarantees that
party pledges will be faithfully kept
and performed. We promise a major
ity in September that shall carry hope
and inspiration to republicans every
where.
That the hearty thanks of the repub-
licans of Vermont are due their dele
gates in the Chicago convention for
the rare good sense, keen foresight and
firmness which made their voice po-
tential in disprOpOrtion to their num-
bers in influencing the nomination of
our candidate for president, and earn
ed them high honor, they being the
only state delegation which voted SOL
idly from first to last for the best win
ming man.
That the railroads of Vermont were
chartered and endowed with certain
powers and privileges, primarily for
the benefit of all the people and that
their services should be open to all up
on the same relative terms and cOndi-
tiOns without discrimination or favor
itism in any form or degree that in
justice to their owners and paying
patrons the practice of issuing free
passes to persons other than their Off
GERS, employees and officers and the en-
plOyes of other railroads ought to be
promptly discontinued. We especial
ly deprecate the issuing to and accep-
tance for use of free passes by state Of
fcers, members of the legislature and
all Others whose official acts may con-
Germ the rights and interests of the
railroads as demOralizing in intent and
tendency, and demand that such prac-
tees he nrnhihited hY law We be-