Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-08-28
LESSON IN POLITICS.


Is the preface to the Won Moltke
memoires which are attracting much
attention through the press nj this
moment the Prussian general observes
that. generally speaking II Is no
longer the ambition Of monarchs which
cndangers the peace. II IL the passions
Of the people, the strife OF parties and
the lntriguos OF their leaders which
cause declaration Of war"
AZ nm apology for the ancient fashion
Of setting up hereditary title for the
fountain head Of political authority
this may or may not he acceptable
argument. IL logic or the want Of II
on that point Ia not relevant to the
conditions Of this continent. Whether
n hereditary monarch might or might
not be more dreadful than partisan
passion and intrigue as n pro
motor Of war does not affect
the problems that risc up In the
path Of seekers after liberty, because
they have passed upon the question OF
political authority by righto OF birth, and
the decision Is final 80 far as they are
concerned.
There IL notwlthstanding principle
Of truth in the citation which freemen
have NJ great occasion TO reflect upon
ns the subjects Of the Emperor.
Because at every step which the
friends Of liberty have taken In the
establishing ola peoples government
they have encountered these very OBJ.
Jocts Of tcrror-thc passions Of the pco-
pie and the iutrlgues Of their partisan
leaders.
II Is melancholy fact that
the people Of this great re-
public who are undoubtedly farther
advanced In the principles of freedom
than any people living, nre still
far from comprehending the danger
Of popular passion and tho intrlgues Of
partlsanship. They do not yet begin
10 realize that the passport OF the parti'
san intriRuer into the places Of authori'
~ which he Graves only for personal
ends IL his power over the passions oil
the unthinking masses. And 70 ar,
they continually Training at the heel
Of chronic candidates for Office, who
are the last mon In the nation that
ought to be entrusted ,,lth power.
People Ia a passion ar, not, as a rule
the very best Judges OF patriotism.
They mistake too often me chnd ldate''
lung power and audaolty Tor patriotism
IL Ia the Vaccinations Of thls sort
OF candidates that Won Moltko nlludel
10 as tho "intrlguos Of party leAder'
which cause n declaration Of war"
Through the power Of personal cal
umuy, rldicule aud the low wit
llcisms Of political campaigns whicl
arc particularly taking with crowds, 1
class Of men are working their way
into tho highest offices Of the counir,
who have not an atom OF patr lotlsm u
their hearts. Their purposes are tho
roughly selfish aud their method
thoroughly corrupt aud degrading Il
tho public trust that Ia given them
As rule they would not hesitate Il
sacrifice the dearest rights and inter
eats OF n community, or the mos
sacred institutions Of their coun
try, for the promotion Of their prl
waite ambitions. Such men would no
hesitate, II their was a private gain II
the transaction 10 involve the oounir!
In any calamity, and all In the name o
the people and their country.
As n rule, therefore, the best blood 0
the nstion il not In office. II spurn
tho degrading ordeal OF Islander An,
low Vltuperation to which the gauntle
OF "run ming for office" subject
them. II the people should thrua
suTmarIly aside every man tina
raise, his voice In the pursuit. Of office
they might deprive Themselves OF IN,
services u some good men, aud II
seeking out from the unaspirlng throni
tho men to whom they shall untrus
the cares VI State, they might max,
some serious mistakes; but mis-
takes would not be near no common
or 20 gray Q, and State aud nationA
disasters so frequent II the latter wer
the absolute rule.
4 II rarely that man will thrus
himself into the face Of the people ~
candidate unless he has some selhsl
motive In doing so, aud seltlshnc - IL
office Is the poison Of free government
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