Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-13

OtmOcratlc tn0ugnt; JleSe were Qlvlne I'M
pulses leading the motives to a highe
plane OF political advancement. From tn
} very rude beginning of the first social sys
tenn there was implanted in the human
mind demand for personal liberty and al
lntuitive Knowledge Of Justice. These a
lmmurable concomitants of Democratic
society are involved in governmental
action as well as in the fulfllment of th'
these two form the fundamental principle.
pioneers of civilization, the pillar.
OF human society and the foundation Of
American politics. Historic research de-
velops the fact that these principles reach
ed their maximum growth of ancient
times during the democratic periods IL
the Greciau and Roman empires, whose
Jurisprudence and martial provinces made
them the center of attraction throughout
the then civilized. as well as semi-ciyilized
nations. There the science Of politics sur
passed all former achievements in the rec
ignition of the principle, of the greatest
good to to the greatest number. 1t was al
so a literary period, schools of philosophy
t1ourished in many cities. and the votar-
les of advancement school the life thought
of creative minds. The liberty of both the
individual and government as
distinguished from the liberty of
the government alone had
!
prompted by political predictions. AL
though liberty and justice had gained such
eminent positions in these two ciyiliZa-
tions, yet they were destined to fall on &C
count of a lack of septems far-reaching
enough TO comprehend outlying provinces.
| The rapid growth of democratic sentiment
at the close of the middle ages was the d.
rect result Of the coalescence of cOntigu-
Gus clans into larger powers and the dis
! solution Of the feudal system, which with
/ the free cities" had accomplished their
| parts in the drama of civilization and the
| pioneer Of Gaul began to pave the way for
another stage of civil development, and
through the agency Of limited monarch
ial tendency the multiplicity of
national doctrines was merged in
TO two orders - the governmental
and the national TIL first re-
stricted to the application of laws; the
! second appertained to the welfare of the
people Civil science, both theoretic aud
practical, now aspired to higher plane OF
action. A subjective movement had an
nounced its arrival; the ideal or subjective
state must always precede the de fatto ct
de jure state. 1t was this ideal state Of
civil affairs which was now presented to
the minds of progressionists and at the
close of the Fifteenth century. subjective
nations began TO materialiZe throughout
Europe. TIE clergy, free cities and feudel
:
| fuerce and national idea became pos
sible. Prior TO this time, sir ce the down.
fall OF the Roman empire in 416.
A. D., there had been no universal
opinions and therefore insubordinate fac
lions were notable cnarac eriSticS of the
time. 1t Is obvious that this departure
from an established order of things, that
this diversification, ag tation, confusion OF
the various elements of society, would
have momentOus effect upon European
politics. 1t marked a rig angle in hui
man thought: distant provinces rebelled
against assumed authority and civil dis
cord drowned the voice of law This may
be said to be the ultmatum of an analytic
period which involved all countries Of CEN
tral Europe. Here was the transition
from ancient to modern politics; the clouds
of mysterious doctrines began to be dissl-
pated by free inquiry and individual
liberty took rank with the leading
impulses of the time; a more untrammel-
ed government was succeeding despotic
administrators and paving the way for
government by the people. 1t was neces-
sary that an active and penetrating code
code or laws be lnaugurated which would
unite national fragments and create inter
national confidence as we'll asintergovern-
mental felicity was recognized through
out the European countries but It's tlreleSS
enemy, conservatism. extended its deyas-
tating influence from Roman courts, and
thwarted upon every hand, the minds
which fostered a Democratic tendency.
No political division of all Europe
was at that time free enough
to carry to completion the rudimental
maXims of new government, in which
liberty and justice towards individuals
were destined TO be the chief directors of
its advancement. Contemporary with in
ternal disturbances in the older countries.
we note the discovery of the western world; /
the landing of the pilgrims from the May |
flower, and the gradual growth of the |
colonies along the Atlantic and in the
wooded interior. In these western colon |
les we find the principles of liberty and /
justice playing prominent part in the /
establishment of early customs Demo |
cratic ideas vitalzed the infamy of Amer
lean politics and when the mighty armies |
of the revolution were mustered |
they represented the material !
ization of the political convictions |
of those who were pledged to protect |
Americas civil institutions, liberty and |
justice, ever counseling for human adj |
vancement, held alott the right of civil |
equality. at first dimly visible in the dis
tant horizon but as the smoke Of conflicts
rolled away it rose grand in the zenith and
the dark ages" Of American history hast
ened away to the grave of burial epochs.
The united colonies stepped into the RANK
of democratic nations the country had
established her independence by force OF
arms and peace was now at all her gates.
Master minds with comprehensive thought
studied the character Of a legitimate soy
ereignty and reason demanded that every
state should prove her political legitimacy
Philosophic statesmen gave her the
Declaration of Independence and the con-
stitution, the war or 1872 established for
her liberty and justice upon the seas and
it was left for the emancipation proclama-
ton to herald the political equality of all
races in America; and the synthetic devel-
opment in American civics, in SO far as
completeness and harmony
were concerned In the solution of govern
mental problems. had reached its maxi
mum growth and made the union Of states
3 nation il reality and destroyed the ex-
stence of belligerant segments, differing
In manners. customs and laws Prominent
among the questions of the time, which
looks still farther toward the expansion and
of a cardinal principle of
political equality, is the civil service act.
As competitive examinations take the
place of direct appointments, then will IN
iividual fitness, instead of chance to a
great extent. be made the fundamental
in the apportioument of
,ivil offices, for il is the intrinsic value OF I
he service Of the office. rather than the
name of the political party to which he
nay belong, that is the essential factor in
III problems relating TO public service; for
he principle, from nothing. nothing
,omes," must be recognized by all who !
would maintain great principles in politics
Is well as those who would trace the
teps OF evolution in the boundleSs
calm of nature. Among the evils that
menace the stability Of American politics.
perhaps socialism is foremost in national !
apprehension. This outgrowth Of a dis .
raered mental state is traceabls TO the
European nations; of its cancellations, nj
L