The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-16
OUR POLITICAL LIFE.
Opposition a Healthy Restraint
on the Government.
USE AND ABUSE OF PARTIES.
Voters Allow Their Chiefs to Think Tor
Them-Opportunitiss for senaiity
and Corruption.

L Union tucTS nave eX4StSu po"~AANt FS-A~-
| cal parties aiming to control the admins
lstration of government for various ENDS
land purposes which they profess TO re-
Espect. These parties differ in many par
i ticulars from similar parties IN England.
They have not proceeded upon the IDEA
that opposition is always healthy re-
straint upon the party in power so much
as upon the strength of popular move
ments to secure specific ends. We have
no such thing as "her majesty's opposi-
tion," but 1t is safe to say that, as there has
been, so there will always be, opposition
to the party in power for one cause or
another.
There is no doubt, however, of the util-
ity OF that restraint upon those entrusted
with the management of government
which is derived merely from the knowl-
edge that they are under the fiery criti-
cism of an organized body of the people
who have no more noble object than put
ting those in power out and themselves in.
frequently political contests amount TO
Little more than this strife between the
outs and ms, but on the other hand there
have been many occasions in the history
OF the country when something better has
been the issue.
If anything is done in political life
whether for good or for Ill, it must be
accomplished through organization. Oc-
casionally the enthusiasm of large num-
Der OF people is concentrated upon some
particular object and spontaneous move
ment taxes place which requires very little
organized effort to sustain. But more
frequently particular measures and ends
are developed only through lines of policy
which must be pursued for considerable
period of time and the significance and
value OF which are only understood by
organized agitation; hence in the creation
OF political parties the principle of CO.
operation is not only legitimate but it is
always salutary and even necessary to
political existence.
We are not, however. able to judge of
the value of particular organizations
wholly by the ends they propose to them
selves, for account must always be taken
of the personal factors making up the
means the society has for accomplishing
its ends. This is almost always lost to
sight of those who are enthusiastic over
cooperation as method of achieving re-
suits. However admirable the platform
of party may be, its success and suprem-
acy may be wholly vicious, and iraught
with danger to the common veal, unless
its controlling sentiments are those which
the moral law approves. This means that
the controlling sentiments of the indi-
vidual members of the party who govern
it shall be righteous.
One great trouble is, then, that those
who compose the party are too Gifted actu-
ated by their own selfish purposes, and are
using the party only as means for their
unpatriotic ends. When this is the case
principles are lost sight of and the party
is very apt to become body in which
counter-interests are adjusted and bal
anced with each other, and the preserva-
ton of an equilibrium between these diff
ferent interests becomes practically the
main thing to be sought. In such case,
however good the principles of the party
may be, they are even ignored in practice
or are not supported with that degree of
force which IS necessary for success.
Everything is done timidly, and the plat
form is preserved for show purposes, while
the activity of the organization is very
little directed toward putting in practice
the principles protested.
In close connection with this arises
another evil, which is that from the neces-
sity of keeping the party compact for the
purposes of victory, the ideal of the party
as a means to higher end is lost sight of,
anu III btcOineo Simply All tiiu III ltstli,
the success of the party takes precedence
of the welfare of the country. This feeling
is intensified by the competition of the
opposing parties, and it is found that the
political army must be like the militant
thoroughly we'll trained, despotically
governed, and composed of men who are
willing to act without asking the reason
why. This is dangerous condition for
the state. This is a case of excessive con-
idence in the cooperative idea; but in
order TO make the cooperation complete
and effective men eliminate that which
alone makes cooperation valuable. They
take away that real unity OF thought and
feeling which creates an organic construct
i've force and get in place of il blind de-
structive force TO be welded by few in
modes that these few determine.
Both upon the leaders and upon the
rank and lie OF the organization this sort
OF sentiment is thoroughly demorallzlng.
The latter come to regard loyalty To the
party as the test of the full performance
OF the duties of the citizen. They allow
their chiefs 10 do their thinking for them.
They vote unblushingly against their own
better Judgment, IL they have ideas of
their own. They believe indefinitely and
without reelection that ruin will be
wrought If the other party pre-
vail, They .decline to see the
faults OF their own side. Theirs TO
obey, to follow. The country. the state is
their party; others are foreigners and
strangers Within is celestial beauty;
without is darkness, bowling and gnash-
ing OF teeth. Upon the leaders there is
the pressure OF responsibility Tor the d.
rection il they are personally honest.
They plan to defeat the other side. That
is the objective point. the chief end.
They must govern their movements ac-
cordingiy. They must say enough TO
satisfy the most. and as little as
possible to offend. Generalities in
principles, therefore, commend them
selves, because they are easily evaded.
and any one can nut his own interpreta-
ton upon them. Personal favors pust be
shown to- prevent desertlon; the enemy
must be watched, and every lapse taken
advantage OF; the idea OF possible good 10
the whole from the success of the other
side Is absolutely excluded. To preserve
the organization and win success for il is
the prime consideration Tor the chiefs If
they expect to maintain their rank as
leaders and obtain the emoiuments OF
party success.
In addition to this there is often afford
ed the very best opporl unlty for positive
yenaiity and corruption. Ii IS important
TO retain the services OF good party work
er, even if he be q thief. and enriching
himself st the expense OF the people. The
. temptation 10 blink this vice is very pow
erful. And the cioseness, compactness,
and discipline of the party present great
Inducements for yenal persons of
al sorts TO enter in. They know
how 10 make themselves of con-
sequence, aud as they rise in the
ranks their chances OF plumber or private
profit. indirectly gained, are increased.
As their power is enlarged they shape the
whole policy OF the party with view 10
personal profit. 1t is difficult for those
more honest 10 restrain them, because TO
do so will produce dissension and iniure
the party. And If a reign of terror ex-
lists as is often the case the one w no raises