San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-06-29
CHAPTER xxx.

ShAfl EN- AAlA.
In America the pursuit of politics Is n
liberal profession-very liberal for those who
take it up.
In America, as in England there are two
great political parties; instead Of being called
Conservatives and Liberals, they are called
Republicans and Democrats. The difference
which exists between these two parties is this:
One is in power and tries to stay in, the other
is out of it and tries to get in.
All that is done by one is condemned in adj
vance by the other, whichever the other may
be. 1t is patriotism.
Good society keeps prudently aloof from
politics and politicians When a servant an
pounces a politician his master whispers in
his ear: John, lock up the plate and take
care there is nothing lying about" John,
faithful to orders, stands sentinel in the hall,
and while he is showing out the politician,
keeps an eye on the umbrellas and overcoats.
For that matter, the American democracy
is no exception to the rule. To become a
chemist, you must study chemistry; to be-
come lawyer, you must study law; but in
a democracy, to be politician you need only
well bred people have no desire to be con-
founded with the heroes OF the stump, and
stand back; the rich fnanciers and merchants
are too busy to take up politics, the senators
and congressman are more or less the chosen
of the common people, and good society says
no thank you, prefer to stay at home"
Thus it is that the ground remains clear for
the noisy mediocrities, and that a gentleman
has only to mix himself up in politics to be-
come a declasse He must reach the White
House to inspire little respect. The Ameri-
can gentleman has not the least ambition to
see his fair name dragged in the lDud, to hear
himself nicknamed Honest john" Jolly
Roger" or what not He takes a joke as
well as another, but if you were to call him
Senator" or Congressman" he would have
you up for defamation of character. The
president himself, capable and upright as he
is, does not altogether escape the contempt
which the politician inspires in the man of
of refinement
Contemporary America is governed by the
Irish.
The Germans, the Scandinavians, all those
crowds of foreigners that, year by year, flock
to the New World to find a livelihood, and
which America gradually assimilates. go
west to fell forests and reclaim the land
But the Irish pitch their tents, for the most
part, in the large cities, where they congre-
gate together and turn their attention to
politics The city Of New York, for instance,
which has been successfully conquered by the
Dutch, the English, and the Yankees, is to-
day in the hands Of the Irish New York is
the real capital Of Ireland.
was in America on the 18th of March, St
Patrick's day. remember that the Irish de
manded to have the day officially celebrated
in New York, and the mayor was requested
to hoist the green fSg over the City Hall
This gentleman, for refusing to comply, was
next day pronounced false patriot" and
traitor
The English are always wondering why
Americans al seem to be in favor of home
rule, and ready to back up the cause with
their. dollars. Why's ! will tell you Be
cause they are il hopes that, when the Irish,
get Ireland, they will all go home
Upon the strength of a six months stay in
America, one would hardly attempt to do
liver a verdict on the political system of the
country.
/ think, however, that it may safely be
affirmed that the English are a freer people
than the Americans; that the constitutional
i had almost said epublican-monarchy of
England is preferable to the authoritative
democracy Of America,
The American constitution was copied from
that Of the England of 1776, and the presi-
dent of the United States was invested with
power about equal to that of George III
Since that date the English have advanced.
and the Americans have not-politically
The English of the year of grace 1855 would
soon give the Queen notice to quit, if she took
it into her head to ask for power equal to
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