Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-28
Americas Politics.


From the August Atlantic
The discrimination OF tho governmental from
the merely administrative function In modern de-
mocracy Ia slow process, and we are very far yet
from that political Consciousness which compels
US, a. members Of the body polite, to realize to
the full our responsibility and opportunity, while
denying absolutely any necessary Identification OF
ton u so involved In the whole theory OF demo-
cracy ana SO disclosed In every crisis Of our mis-
MAKE are 'hRns
residuary legatees OF earlier political orders the
notion that we were governed by the men
thought it a lnal distinction that we chose these
governors Instead OF suffering them to be imposed
on US oy some Outside authority Gradually we
tees, and that we do not relinquish to them an
ota Of our real authority; that they are accounts
that In Official life which retards q ike growth Of
consciousness, and the public oficer has not been
50 quick 10 divest himself OF the notion that he is
the one In authority, and that his principal con-
| Germ is TO perpetuate his power.
1t is inevitable that discussions about the civil
service should help 10 clear the air. for they spring
from the dsintegrarion Of the old notion that ad-
Illustrators OF government are the governors;
and taking the civil service out OF politics SIM
ply anotner way OF saying that the conception OF
politics itself Is changing; that there are more
persons IN ian formerly who do not identity politics
ont WiIh nsa nor even with party but who
pontlcs 10 law, TO sociology, 70 ethics The inde-
pendent movement, SO called that unorganized,
structon OF the term politics. is OF comparatively
NIUE importance as mere possible vessel for hold
ing tne oaance OF power between parties; It's real
Importance lies In the assertion that one may be
so greatly interested In politics as to throw away
an MS chances OF place. SO thorough going politi
clan st as aDsoutely 70 disregard and hold cheap as
In brief, there Is evidence Of an increasing num-
per OF men who take the nveliest possible interest
IN pontlcs, not as game not for the sake OF In
creasing their own power, nor for securing places
either Tor themselves or for their friends but be-
cause as they have clearer consciousness Of their
American history has been toward the develop
ment OF this consciousness, they take a keener
Thought, as an element in large problems Time
was when there Was more marked trace OF boyish-
ness IN the national conception of politics. Before
jackson, the old traditions made Statesmen priv.
leged class and politics was dgnifed profession
IN JackSon's time there was almost as much Of q
real ADDITION TO the political mass In America as
there was TO the English political world when the
Dars were formally let down and the right OF suf-
frage extended. From Jacksons lime TO Lincoln's
pouticS was the national game. Partly from the
simplicity or social conditions which offered fewer
distractions than now, but more from the inherent
In its proper outlet, politics was the the ter the
opera the baseball game, the Intellectual gymna-
sluIn almost the church OF the people, and a man
suffered TWO great Interests to divide his Nfe-nis
business, that IS, and his politics.
IL Is quite true that this vigorous attention to
concrete politics has an immense charm for N my
mlnds, and that there is apparently an undimi n
lsled re Il for racket ana rocket; but we contend
tnat Tue war with tue problems which IL brou sht
10 the front and the rapid maturing OF the
country In many directions have conSplred to
Induce an attitude toward politics wh.cn is not
boyish, but very manly; that with wider interests
In He ana with greater selfconfiience as
people, we are not trusting all our fortunes to
The keeping OF a few men, whose taste and train
Ing lead them into Offica lie, any more tnan we
give over our re yious convictions 10 the custody
or clerical guardians, but using our we'll
earned political Tree ION with greater eares ,ness
and more Intelligent apprehension OF means
and enQl