The advocate., 1891-05-20
THE EVILS OF PARTISAN ZEAL.


not approve of everything that is
done in the name of Democracy. Ex-
treme psrtisanship is dangerous to
the best interests of society at all
times, and when it becomes SO blind
and unscrupulous as to be exercised
for the defeat of the ends of justice,
it becomes doubly so. At the present
writing there is good reason to be-
lieve that the result of the Botkin
impeachment trial in this city will
furnish another example to which the
sarcasm of the Star would be as ap-
pllcable as to the Missouri jury re-
ferred to in the following:
The Democracy of Missouri has just passed
through terrible ordeal. A Democrat has
been arraigned in court of justice, charged
with mlsdirection Of the public moneys. This
Democrat was the state treasurer, and it was
proved and admitted that the expenditures of
the treasurer and his friends in short period Of
time had exceeded the lawful compensation Of
the treasurer In the amount Of over $4,000. 1t Is
true that the treasurer expressed his polite re-
gret, not to say his sincere chagrin, at this un-
happy revelation, and 1t is true that so genial
and unaffected are his manners In social inter-
course, and so little has he prOfted by the ex-
penditure Of the $50 900 Of the lawful and banka-
BILE funds of the state Of Missouri, that many
compassionate hearts were touched by the in
felicitous position In which he found himself
placed.
When the little difference In accounts was
brought up in court for adjustment it was dis
covered that ten Of the jurymen were Democrats
and two were Republicans This insured what
may be called q fair working majority. OF
course it was expected that the Republicans
would vote for conviction, and this expectation
was amply justified. But what was the amaze
ment, what the wrath, the confusion Of the truly
loyal, when four Democrats calmly announced
an intention of voting with these bIndly parti-
san Republcansl my God!" exclaimed q
Staunch adherent Of the principles Of Jeffer-
s0nian simplicity to one of these traitors, ''you
are not going to vote to send Democrat to the
penltentiary!" And the traitor shame facedly
mumbled something about conscience" and
"duty" and obligations to the public" which
very properly met with the scOrn and derislon Of
the faithful.
Happily this hellish outrage was frustrated.
In vain the four traitors and their narrow Re
publican associates argued with speclOuS cum
ming that 1t was q clear case OF embeZzlement
calling for the exercise of justice, nothing more,
nothing less. The faithful six never Wavered.
Did not the great statesman, David b. Hill,
formulate the grand, undylng principle, ~ am
Democrat" and how can Democrat show his
Democracy to nobler advantage than by assist
ing fellow-D Democrat In moments Of adversely?
Was 1t not proved and generally understood
that the unhappy treasurer had dlsbursed
money freely to various Democrats with no
other return than few hours of pleasant social
intercourse? Should such man suffer because
he distributed to the people, as 1t were, the
money that came from the people? Should a
Democratic jury establish the precedent that
there Is no line Of demarkatiOn between kind
hearted Democrat, who distributes the peoples
money, and a rascally fellow who steals it out
Of the treasury? Never!
And so the gallant six stood firm and sw0re by
the simplicity of Jefferson and "the eternal" Of
Jackson and the Democracy of Hill that the vile
plot to incarcerate Democrat should never be
cOnsummated. And 1t Is even understood that
they are willing to serve on the jury as often as
the case is brought to trial, II only to see that
the lofty principles Of Democracy are upheld
and that blind and furious persecution shall
cease. Happy party which can trust its desti-
nieS to such faithful sons, and glorious the fu-
ture OF a commonwealth which is regulated by
so admirable system OF finance.