Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-05-14
THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY.

THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY.
footing the Tin Horn to Rally Them
Into the Republican Party.
There has been no more comic politi-
cal deliverance of late than the bugle
blast of Mr.. j. S. Clarlzson summonin2
the youth of the country to rally round
the banner of republicanism- Mr..
Clarkson's instrument has the sound as
of a trumpet made from protected tin
ware, and is certainly more strident
than tuneful. With Foraker, Thurston
and their peers blowing in concert. it
lends itself to such an orchestral effect
as that with which village humorists
are wont to greet questionable we'd
dings.
But be the vehicle tin or brass or
other metal, why should this call for the
courage and enthusiasm of young men
be deemed worthy of any response?
Youth may not be very wise, but it is
not usually sordid and calculating. It
may be disposed to make too little of
the experience of the past, but it is
seldom attracted by intolerance which
has survived the causes which drew it
forth, and narrowness of mind which
is the shrunlzen nheritance of devotion
to an idea. It may be in q measure
true that republication was born of
the courage and enthusiasm of young
men. but what is there in it to-day to
give scope for the exercise of either?
Certainly not the advocacy of force
bills or the fostering of legalized rob
berry in the form of taxation. Youth
demands chance to rise by its own
efforts; it is impatient of all privilege
and presumption, and does most vehe-
meptly protest against being handi-
capped by burdens imposed for the
benefit of others. It will fight for an
abstraction, but its imagination will
hardly be fred by cause whose objec-
tive point is DOODLE" Tradition. asso-
citation, transmitted beliefs, count for
much in forming the opinions alike of
youth and age. but for the ingenious
mind at work on the political problems
of the day republicanism offers merely
the dry husks of old controversies and
the perverted application of once vital
principles.
There are, doubtless, young men to
whom Foraker is hero and Reed a not
inadequate exponent of the republican
ism of Sumner and of Lincoln. But
they are hardly the kind for whom the
horn of Clarkson was footed. The sons
of the founders of republication
whose presence he deplores as leaders
of the New England democracy repre-
sent type of men born since the war
who because they think for themselves
will have no lot or part with the Fora
kers, Wanamakers. Clarksons or Quays
who find it fit and profitable to be re-
publicans at the present day. Democ-
racy has for them the potentiality and
the promise of all that is vital or inspir-
ing in the political activity of the re-
public.
According to Mr.. Clarkson the only
difference between the economic prin-
ciples of the republican party and those
of the democrats is that between linn
tied and unlimited reciprocity. Does
he expect to make much of the ad.
hesion of intelligent youth. however
enthusiastic, that is ignorant of the
fact that the greater includes the less
and that the partial triumph of a prin-
ciple is less to be desired than com
plete one?
The republican party cannot afford
to put young men in the front. They
are apt to be indiscreetly truthful like
Mr.. Wolcott. the president of the Mas
sachusetts club, who said harsh things
| about Senator Quay and got off the
epigram which Mr.. Clarkson quotes
with professed approval: eve mus,
drum out the mercenaries and rally the
| recruits" Alas for the republican
party when the mercenaries are dis
banded! It will need other leaders an6
other principles to attract recruits
enough to fill half the yawning gaps in
| the ranks left by the cashiered soldiers
| of fOrtune.-N. Y. World.