The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-06-25
PRINCIPLES: ON THESE WE BUILD.

That, we believe, is good Democratic
doctrine, and we speak of it here that it
may stand against the half whispered pro
fession of faith among the weak men who,
with a timidity born Of their nature, are
saying here and there in answer to the
question, ''What are your politics." ''I
sm for the best men for Office irrespective
of party" We don't believe in that kind
of politics. We don't believe in it even
though CARLYLE taught It, or something
very like it in ms "Hero Worship Find
me the true konning. king or able man."
said he, land he has a divine right over
me. That we knew in some tolerable meas
ure how to find him, and that all men were
ready to acknowledge his divine right when
found; this is precisely the same healing
which sick world is everywhere, in these
ages, seeking after" But it is also just
what sick world has never found, and
after some centuries of seeking the world
in dispair of ever succeeding has about
given it up It is our pride that the
American people were the first who, in
any effectual way, made the discovery
that it was useless TO seek further for
CARLYLE's "konning, king, or able man."
that was to give the best, perhaps the per-
feet, government. Is is our especial pride
that it was Democrat-THoMAs JEFFER-
soN-who in any manner worthy the
name told the world it had been looking in
the wrong direction for its best and iustest
government That instead of finding it in
making some good man King to rule over
them, they would find that governments
derive their just powers from the consent
OF the governed, thus making the people
and not any one man among them the
source of political power. This idea estab-
lished in the minds of the people, and
guarded by constitution-which is nothing
more than declaration of principles-is
rapidly coming to be recognized as the
chief corner stone of political structures
that are worthy Of consideration. The
world has grown weary in looking for Just
government founded on the reign of kings,
whom it was fondly hoped would be the
best men in Office, and are now building
On principles, On constitutions, limiting
the powers of the government and secur-
ing the good behavior of men in Office by |
frequent elections. By making 1t well nigh |
impossible for the Office holder to do any
permanent injury during his term OF Office |
and by making impeachment not extremely
dificult-in deed, we may say, by making |
the officers of the government the servants |
instead of the masters of the people
Having established government on prin- |
eaples. on institutions, it will not be denied |
that the best men that can be found in har- |
mony with those principles should be |
chosen to administer it. But what we
would deny, and not only deny but de-
nouuce as the veriest nonsense, is the idea |
that the election OF merely good men to |
Office without regard to their political prin- |
ciples would give US good government. |
The history Of the world stands In proof of |
this. King CHARLES J.. Of England, was |
good man. His morals were above re-
proach. He was deeply religious, too. as
nearly all moral men are. In his domestic
life, as father. husband, friend and neigh
Dor he was well nigh above reproach. But
this good man had some silly notions in his
head about the s1divine right OF kings"
which made him assume powers that were
oppressive Ia their operations, and even
so the subjects claimed. OF
oame Of their ancient rights secured by