The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-07-09
THE YOUTH OF THE COUNTRY.


IoofinE the Tin H0fn - Rally Ihom
Into the Republican Party.
There has been no more comic politi-
cal deiiverance of late than the bugle
blast of Mr.. s. Clarixson summoning
the youth of the country TO rally round
the banner Of republicanism. Mr.:
Clsrkson's instrument has the sound as
0f : trumpet made from protected tim
ware, and Is certainly more sfrident
than tuneful. With Foraker, Thnrston
and their peers blowing in concert, it
lends itself to such an orchestral effect
8 that with which village humorists
are wont to greet questionable we'd
dIngs
But be the Vehicles tin or brass or
other metal. why should this call for the
Courage and enthusiasm Of young men
y deemed worthy Of any response?
youth may not be very wise, hut it Is
not usually sordid and calculating. 1t
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 aof.mind which
is the shrunlen inheritance Of devotion
to an idea It may be in measure
true that repuhlicanism 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 preemption, and does mist vehe-
mently protest against being handi-
capped by burdens imposed for the
benefit OF. others. 1t will fight for an
abstraction, but its imagination will
hardly be fred by a cause whose objec-
tive point is ..bood3e." Tradition, asso-
citation, transmitted beliefs, count for
much in for1ning 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 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 toeted. The sons
of the founders of republicanism
whose presence he deplores as leaders
OF the New England democracy repre-
sent d type of mem born since the war
who because they think for themselves
will have no lot or part with the Fora
kers, Wauamakers. 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 adj
hesion.s 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 o 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 OIL the
epigram which Mr.. GARRISON quotes
with professed approval; We must
drum out the mercenaries and rally the
recruits. (" Alas for the republican
party when the .mercenaries are dis
banded! 1t win need. Other leaders and
other principles to attract RECRUITS
enough to fill half the yawning gaps in
the ranks left by the cashiered soldiers
of fortune. IN. Y. World. ~