Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-10-14

est soldier, and his matchless achievements
in the field, and their influence upon the
fate of his country, amply justify this
beautiful testimonial. SO long as love of
liberty and equality, and admiration of
heroic deeds and unselfish patriotism last,
the memory of Grant will be ven
Grated. Some of the acts of his
civil admin;St1 alton were really worth
more to the country and the world than
the dull routine and solemn responsibility
of many others. While men had dreamed
and written about the uSeleSSneSs and
WlckedneSS OF war, as an agency for the
settlement Of controversies between ma
tiOnS, and urged the substitution of more
civilized methods, 1t was reserved for our
greatest soldier TO reduce these theories
and vague aspirations to practice. 1t was
the successful leader Of our armies, in our
greatest war, who took the lead in bring
ing the civilized world to a practical recog-
milton Of the value Of a peaceful arbitra-
ment of international disputes, and the
treaty of WASHINGTON is monument to his
| memory which will Outlive those of bronze
and stone. It's moral influence extends in
tinitely beyond the immediate parties to it,
or the age in which it was negotiated.
More than once he displayed independ-
duty by vetOing legislation which seriously
threatened the public welfare.
1t is mistake to suppose that popular
government is an art or a mystery. Some
of the details of administration require
special training and experience. But in it's
broad policies, in the adjustment of it to
| the ends for which it was organized, in
| the promotion of its purposes, men like
Grant, who feel rightly and see clearly,
| men who have sound Judgment and say
| ing common sense. and who will reSOlute-
ly assert themselves under all circumstan-
ceS, may be safely trusted with its affairs
and deStineS. 1t would not be popular
government if it were otherwise. The
men who have left the profoundest i'm
press on our history were not so much dis
tinguiShed for their wealth or their cru
dition, as for the qualities, or some of them
which distinguished Grant. These quail
ties are essential ingredients Of political
| manhood, and they are no less useful and
necessary in peace than in war. we need
men possessing them to resist the aggres-
siOns of those who seek to make of our
politics both an art and a mystery, intelli-
glble only to the adept and initiated, who
assume the management of them by vir-
tue of their capacity for the deft and art
full manipulation OF their fellows. Their
influence on the, country is corrupt
al venality constantly enlarGes under it,
According to their views the Whole in
terest that any citizen has IN municipal,
state, or national government is measured
by what he can make out or 1T. 1t is worse
than idle to shut our eyes to the existence
of corrupt methods and practices IN our
politics. which threaten to subvert our free
institutions. The people are often cheated
at the polls and in legislation, and prizes
which should be the reward of honest
merit are too frequently bestowed upon
the cunning aud the INSCRIPTIONS rich.
Real freedom is not enjoyed by the people
unless the laws are enacted by their
honestly chosen representatives, and their
freedom of action is as much impaired,
when it IS corruptly influenced, as if con-
trolled by force.
The man who accepts bride of any sort
places his conscience and Judgment in the
Viest bondage. He is no longer free. Ar
gument is wasted on him. Considerations
of the public veal or woe do not affect
him. Bayonets at the polls would not con-
troll his conduct more effectively. And
men who contribute money to buy votes
and to bride the peoples representatives,
| as we'll as those who diShurSe it, are dead
| ly enemies of the republic. Their greed
| and love OF power are greater than their
| love Of country. They impair popular re-
spect for law, which is the only safeguard
| for life and property; and it will be an
| evil day for the nation when it's preserve
| ton depends upon their patriotism and
courage. Tney may masquerade IN the
garb Of righteousness, and address the
| people in the language of patriotism, but
| their virtues are assumed: they are hypO-
| critics and aSSasSlnS of liberty, and would
welcome a dynasty rather than shed their
blood in defense of popular government.
| Their shameless and insidious attacks on
free institutions are Infinitely more dan
gerOuS than the revolutionary teachings
and practices of a comparatively few Wis
lonary and misguided men and women in
our large cities.
1t is not such men as these, but the great
multitude, engaged in active ard hardy
pursuits, who constitute the real strength
of the nation. They are hot enemies OF
law and order, they do not envy or hate
those who have acquired property by hen
est methods and bear the full share of the
public burdens, and SO long as the powers
of the nation are not perverted to their in