The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-01
POLIxICAL VERSUS SOCIAL AsSO.
CITATION.

In the Old South church, at Boston the
other night, Mr.. Josiah Quincy, who with
some other former Republicans Of Massa-
chusetts 10 nov training with the Demo-
Gratis. delivered = lecture on practical
Politics, under the auspices Of an organ
ization sporting the high-sounding title Of
the Society for Promoting Good Citizen
ship" In the course of which lecture he
propounded theory that Is alike note
worthy for its novelty and its palapable
absurdity.
Addressing himself to the objection of
many Republicans to associate themselves
with him and his fellows in apostasy, on
the ground that they prefer to act with the
better rather than with the baser elements
of community, Mr.. Quincy gives this an
extreme construction apd says, "a COM
mon fallacy in politics is that the charac-
ter of the membership which makes up .
party ID Of more importance than its prin-
ciples. do not mean to say that this
idea il openly urged, but many people I'M
consciously hold it and are influenced
by It."
This IL merely his distortion of the idea
entertained by many good and sensible cit
liens, that the intelligence and worth, and
general good charater which commend Ger
tain fellow citizens rather than others who
lack these characteristic, for social init
macy, are entitled to consideration in
selecting political associates. It is not
"men rather than principles" that they
prefer. but linen and principles" And
hence, quite naturally and properly, as
Mr.. Quincy adds and unjustly criticises,
IF their social affiliations are with GER
tain class Of the community they drift
(which is hardly the proper world into the
party which most of those with whom
they associate belong to-"
This, he claims, involves false concep-
ton Of politics. I" and insists that political
ties should have no connection with social
ties" And this he follows up with the
startling proposition that sit is much bet
ter that in his political action man should
associate with those whom his social or
business relations do not bring him into
contact with This IL q resurrection
with all modern improvements"-o the
old and threadbare Democratic dogma of
'principles"-by which they meant polit-
ical professions-'before men," meaning
men who could not stand upon their own
character and merit.
Quincy and his companions have tried
that principle, and he is pursuing the
tactics Of the unlucky fox in the fable, at
tar, anti - al A
trap. They have turned their backs upon
those with whom they are wont so affiliate
socially and in business, and have allied
themselves with those whom they would
not recognize in either relation, and
| whom he tacitly admits he would
not promote or trust simply on
| their merits as men, but whom he acts
| with in relation to matters affecting the
public welfare. solely because they will
subscribe to certain alleged principles in
order to secure his help in obtaining con-
| troll of affairs.
The principles" that Croker and Grant
In New York, Buckley in San Francisco
and the Democratic bosses in Boston repre-.
sent are spoils and plumber. To obtain
these they will not for moment hesitate
about subscribing to any formula that may
be submitted by those who are in a posi-.
ton to help them and gullible enough to
do 30 under the notion that they are pro
noting principle by doing SO.
1t is not claimed that social and bust
ness affiliations should wholly contro
| political association, but it is . false notion
that man can be entitled to political sup
port or can be trusted to carry out any
political principle, who is unit for socia
recognition or not 10 be trusted in private
business. Should Mr.. Quincy and his de
| luded companions succeed in making
Massachusetts permanently Democrat,
state-of which, happily, there is no dan
ger-they would soon find that they and
their principles" would have small iniu
ence with the Boston bosses with whom
in preference to their social and busines.
associates. they have voluntarily sstab
lished contact"
Quincy, Andrew, Everett and some 9th
ers are playing havoc with q number o
bright and honored names in Massachu
sets.