Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-11-09
ASH CREEK

In listening to political discus
sions," $50 called one cannot help /
thinking of some Of the meetings des-
cribed by Dickens and others, where |
each party has its 'helpers" in the
way Of those who cheer each utter
ance Of their favorite speaker whether
there is anything to cheer or not. |
We blush to say, also, that they some /
time bring to ones mind, a dog fight /
which one may have seen at some
time in his life.
In the meeting which was held IN
Belmont this "wednesday evening
we doubt very much if we would miss
it much if we said that many were
there and cheered to the echo who do
not read and have no convictions
which are not formed simply by list
ening to speeches. And this applies
to all parties. This is undoubtedly
and radically wrong Men should
read. Men should observe. Men
should reason. Men should trace
effect from their true causes, and be
able to satisfy their own minds as to
the truth or error Of given theories
and from their reasoning deduct their
political as well as their religious be-
Iiefs. When I see a man that can
| give a reason for the faith that is
within him; who makes his politics as
we'll as his religion matter of con
science; who is willing to talk in a
friendly manner with his opponent,
and exchange views and compare
opinions, I feel that see one of the
modest works of God'-an honest
man.
When, on the contrary, I see am8n
whose opinions are second hRnd," so
to speak, who believes 80 and so be-
cause some one else does, and who is
| SO narrow contracted that he cannot
feel that there is anything good out
side of his party Tor church either( I
tremble for the future Of my country,
| for, of such men are anarchists made,
and the more of them there are, the
/ more discomfort there will be. Now
why should we, in such q country as
we have, under such a government
| as we enjoy, and in the light Of the
nineteenth century, be expected to lis
ten burlesque and personalities, when
we go to listen to the issues Of the day
discussed" IT'S true, men like to
hear ''our man. get sharp drive on
his opponent, but If, as is too often
the case, after the heat Of the contest
is past, we can recall Ino argument,
but on the contrary, lots Of funny
things, we are forced to conclude that
the so called discussions are largely
farcical
In the light of our reflections we
are led to reiterate what we said once
} before: That if politicians would let
the people alone, and parents, and
teachers, yes and preachers too, would
encourage the study of current events
and the past history Of our country
the sovereign people of this great ma
, ton would look after the welfare o.
, our beloved and common country
3 When the instruction of the young
t minds of our land is such as it should
2 be, I shall be willing to trust the fu
r ture of my country, for, as the peOpl,
3 are so will the country be. o m.
p countrymen, the future Of our lanC
}, lies IN a great measure, with each on
s of US. Do you think seriously o.
those things? Are you firmly rOOte'
4 on a foundation of good sound rea
s sons? If so your faith will not b
= vain, for each citizen who aims to d
, his fellow man good is a link in
chain that will bind our confeders
ton together so sOidly that the CON
bined powers of the earth cannot ren
it asunder. But, if you are led b
st passion and prejudice you have th
o elements Of ACKNOWLEDGMENT With
d you, and we believe this is what th
! average politician appeals to, you
d prejudice while they pose as yoJ
IS friend Let US think for ourselves
r. PED.