Dodge City times., 1890-07-04


whose earnest efforts are directed to the
task of improving our systems Of parti-
san politics. And in these inquiries it il
we'll to ascertain what is meant by sue.
cess. In its broad sense, the word ma,
bo taken TO mean coAtinuous promotion
until the aspirant reaches the front rank
and is universally acknowledged ~
leader. Ability must necessarily be pre-.
requisite OF such co-summation. In it,
ordinary acceptstion, il means the power
BY any methods. to reach . medium
height, where recognition comes in the
shape Of certain fixr remuneration. To
do this ability. except of a certain Low
order. Is not necessary; and it is hero that
We may look fer and lind the cause of 50
general neglect of tns ordinary rules OF
social intercourse And actual honesty
among those who are termed politicians,
authority, and those Who, in fact, 50 ect
and elect our officials, from the highest
10 the most hs mble.
The field OF politics has become held
Of battle, and in the turmoil and strife
attendant upon any action where man is
pitted against man there is neither
time nor inclination to pay atten-
tion TO any of tho niceties which oil
the wheels Of social progress; but
in almost every other department
of social life We find men regulating
their conduct toward each other with
more regard for the d. centies Of life and
the demands of honor. In politics alone
do We find cruelty, falsehood, meanness
the rule rather than the exception. In
the gladiator orial contests Of ancient Rome
the successful coLb, ant spared his
PROSTATE antagonist until the inverted
thumbs indicated the desire of the spec
tators for the finishing stroke. In mod
ern warfare the striking of the flag or the
waving of flag of truce is the signal for
an instantaneous cessation of hostilities.
In the prize-ring q blow delivered after
q fall gives the nominal victory to the
vahquished. A commander who fires
into the tanks Of his opponents after
.hey have given the tokens of submission
warfare with which the average Anne rican
is most familiar-whi-h begins in the
ward caucus, 10 carried into the bear
garden of Congress, and does not end even
at the White House-he who spares his
defeated opponent, even after he has
crushed him, is held as little bet er than
q fool, is branded -trai!or " not TO honor
or to country, but TO party. In the other
battles of life the juvenile rule of fair
play, take one of your own size, is gen.
orally regarded. In politics, no antago-
mist is too small or too insignifc mt to
receive killing attentions. Hurt or harm
to the country or general prosperity re-
ceives no consideration, the opposition
must be killed-thus saith, through their
chosen political leaders. the people.
There Is no culture in politics, but there
Is point beyond which brutality is un.
necessary. The people will ever applaud
q contest between equals, for they
can see that in such contest es theft
hope of good govern.ient. Why should
the people stand idle and quiet when one
man or party, hsvin, the other down,
nses every foul means TO keep him under
foot and thus teach him the doctrine of
political hereafter by mauling him and
dragging his political carcass until it is
worn to shreds2 1t is neither edifying
hor profitable. Still more disgusting aud
Is the spect lcle, Sc frequently
presented, of some leader visit ng upon
nm inferior who has incurred his dis.
pie lsure, or who has refused to ackno vi
ave-dr.ver. The contumely of an ic-
ferior in position is the impertinence OF
. child. To visit upon him the full
force and power of Temporary. and, per.
haps, accidental superiority, is to dis
play nothing more than the strength
Of the trute who belabers with
hand and foot the unfortunate weaklirR
who has offended him. 1t 10 superfuous
10 term this cowardico: it is. in politics,
better to regard such conduct as con-
fession of Gn inability 10 contend urea
equal terms. And yet it would not he
difficult to enumerat inst lces, within
he knowledge of every reader. IN which
he inferior has been followed In his
business and social relations with an
Indy ing and an unmitigsted persecu.
lion, as cruel Gs any of the political OF
religious horrors of the middle sges.
When Philip IL. took from the ielatives
1f the victims of the Inquisition all tho
lights of humanity. except the bare right
10 breathe the air which his villainies
had poisoned, intelligent men denounced
him as fit instrument of the Prince
IF Darkness; ami yet the tactics
If Philip. unm6difed in tho 81 ghtest de-
gree. are pc. petuated to-day by men who
'nly lack ths opportunity TO equal him In
rillainv. Aud this is Free America"
Kith the voters, the PEOPLE, looking on
md applauding. How long can Liberty
i've under such rule as this?
;ose OF controlling elections has grown
10 open and fragrant, that the most care
ess citizen must acknowledge it, and the
act must or should a'srm every man who
'riEes the safety of our country's institu-
ions above the success of any one indi-
Iidual or party. Success is purchased
Nth prolific expenditure of money,
Vhich could be secured in no other way,
md in direct opposition TO public opin-
on, and ainst the desires and wishes
# large majority Of the vo' o'ers. Yet the
lefoated tamely submit, year after year.
Men elected TO repops BILE positions BY
! confding or leader ariven people barter
way their honor and manhood for a
'altry sum of money. and vote for men
nd measures in open violation of their
ense of duty, and against both their
onsciencc and Judgment; and sell them-
elves, boiy and soul. to wealthy aspi-
ant for exalted honors, or foulle cor
'orations bent upoL public plunder.
his is no fancy picture drawn from the
calms of Imagination, but a stern, un-
'leasant truth. seen even through the
low NJ 4 * of Independence Day, AID !
orcing itself upon the thinking mind
vhile ears are filled with the oration
cared forth by some politician who is
lorifying 'our country and himself.
When William NJ. Tweed, better known |
S BOSS Tweed" VS. at the zenith Of
lis power end popularity: when the EN-
ire State of New York lay at his feet; |
Fhen Governors and Corgressmen,
United States Senators, and even candi-
ates for President basked in the sun
hine of his favor, hs retained his auto
.atical power by the profigate use Of
money, and those who benefited by his
over we'll knew ths. the money wss
lched from the public funds of the peo-
le, and scattered BY him with . lavish
and among the tools he had bought to
o his Bidding in corrupting the chan
els Of power and influence. And whom
began this criminal chief,
ecure in his hold upon the public's
hroat, coolly tipped back in his easy
hair and ssid: AWhat are you goiig to
o about it?"
There is not Q section Of this country
rec from an actual or aspinnt Tweed,
nd the more successful in following
hat high priest of 7 oculation. the moro
0ld1v 6nes fho i'm fafoP aak the aam0 |