Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-01-15
| in the public expense" is an Inc portant article

In the public expense" is an important article
In the true Democratic faith
When we see our political adversaries bent |
upon the passage of Federal law, with the
scarcely denied purpose OF perpetrating par
tisan supremacy, which invades the States
with election machinery designed to promote
Federal interference with the rights of the |
people in the localities concerned, discredit-
ing their honesty and fairness and Justly
arousng their jealousy Of centralized power
we will stubbornly resist such a dangerous
and revolutionary scheme in obedience TO
our pledge for 1.-The support of the State Gov
ernments in all their rights"
Under anti-dcmocratic encouragement we
have seen a constantly increasing SelfiShness
attach to our political affairs. departure
from the sound and safe theory that the peo-
pie should support the Government for the
sake of the benefits resulting to all. has bred
q sentiment man festing itself with astOund-
ing holiness, that the Government may be
enlisted in the iurtherance and advantage OF
private interests, through their willing
agents in public places. Such an abandon
meme of the idea OF patriotic political action
on the part of these interests has naturally
led to an estimate of the peoples franchise
SO degrading that it has been openly and
palpably debauched for the promotion of
selfish schemes. Money is invested in the
purchase of votes with the deliberate calcu-
lation that it will yield a profitable return in
results advantageous to the investor. An
other crime akin to this in motive and de-
sign is the intimidation by employers of the
voters dependent upon them for work and
bread.
Nothing could be more hateful to true and
genuine Democracy than such OffenSe9
against our free institutions In several of
the States the honest sentiment of the party
has asserted itself in the support of every
plan proposed for the rectifcation of this
terrible wrong. To fail in such support
would be to violate that prime iple in the
creed of true Democracy which comrnends''&
jealous of the right of cleo ton by the
people," for certainly no one can claim that
emf Sa6 or or dor hos CTR
of threat and intimidation, represent the
right of election by the people.
Since free and unpOlluted ballot muse be
conceded absolutely essential to the
maintenance of our free institutions, 1 may
perhaps be permitted to express the hope
that che State of Pennsylvania will not long
remain behind her sister States in adopting
an effective plan to protect her peoples suf-
frage. In any event the Democracy of the
State can find no justification in party prin-
ciple, nor in party traditions, nor in just
apprehension of Democratic duty, for a
failure earnestly to support and advocate
ballot reform.
have thus far attempted to state some of
the principles of true Democracy and their
application to present conditions. Their
enduring character and their constant intlu-
ence upon those who profess our faith have
also been suggested. If I were now asked
why they have so endured and why they
have been invincibe I should reply in the
words of the sentiment to which respond
IL,
and invincible because they are just"
believe that among our people the ideas
which endure and which inspire warm at
tachment and devotion those having
some elements which appeal to the moral
sense. When men are satisfied that prin-
ciple Is morally right obey become its ad-
herents for all time. There is sometimes a
discouraging distance between what our fell
ow-countrymen believe and what they do in
such case; but their action in accordance
with their belief may always be confidently
expected in good time. A Government for
the people and by the people is rlastingly
right AS surely as this is true so surely is it
true that party principles which advocate
the absolute equality of American manhood
and an equal participation by all the people
in the management of their Governments and
in the benefit and protection which it af-
fords, are also right. Here is common ground
where the best educated thought and reason
may meet the most impulsive and instinct
i've American.
1t is right that every man should enjoy the
result OF his labor to the fullest extent con-
silent with his membership in civilized COM
munity. 1t is right that our Government
should be but the instrument of the peoples
will, and that its cost should be limited with
| IN the lines OF strict economy. 1t is right
| that the influence of the Government should
| be known in every humble home the
| guardian of frugal comfort and content and
| defense against unjust exactOns and the
| unearned tribute perSiStently coveted by the
| selfish and designing. 1t is right that effici-
| ency and honesty in public service should
not be sacrificed to partisan greed; and it is
right that the suffrage of our people should
| be pure and free.
The belief in these propositions. as moral
| truths, is nearly universal among our coun-
| trymen. We are mistaken if we suppose the
time is distant when the clouds of selfishness
and perverSiOn will be diSpelled and their
| conscientious belief will become the CHIEF
motive force in the political action of the
people,
understand all these truths to be included
| in the principles of true Democracy. If we
have not at all times trusted as implicitly as
| we ought to the love our people have for the
! right in political action, or if we have not al
| ways relied sufficiently upon the sturdy ad
| yOcacy of the best things which belong tC
our party faith, these have been temporary
| alterations which have furnished their in
evitable warning.
/ We are permitted to contemplate to night
the latest demonstration of the peoples ap-
probation of the right, and of the accept
ance they accord to Democratic doctrine
when honestly presented In the campaign
which has just closed with such glorious re-
suits, while the party managers were antici
pating the issue in the light of the continued
illusion of the people, the people themselve
and for themselves were considering thu
question of right and Justice. They have
spoken and the Democracy of the land re
|, | jOice. In the signs of the times and in thu
result of their late State campaign the De
mOcracy of Pennsylvania must find hope an,
| lnSplraClOu Nowhere mas Inc SSnS1ClVeneS
of the people on questions involving RICH
! and wrong been better illustrated than here
. At the head of your State Government Their
; will soon stand disciple of true Democracy
, elected by voters who would have the RICH
: and not the wrong when their conscience
were touched Though there have existe
i, here conditions and influences not altogethe
f favorable to an unselfsh apprehension @
the moral attributes of political doctrine,
+ believe that if these features of the princi
! | pies of true Democracy are persistently ad
. vocated the time viii speedily come wher
: as in day, the patriotic hearts of the PEG
r pie OF your great cOmmonwt alth will b
@ stirred to the support of our cause.
q 1t remains to say that in the midst of GU
. rejoicing and in the time of party hope an
expectation, we should remember that tn
= way of right and justice should be followe
:, | as matter of duty and regardless of imme
II date success. Above all things let nc
;. for moment forget that grave responsible
tiles await the party which the people trus
!, and let us look for guidance to the principle
a of true Democracy which care enduring be
a cause they are right, and invincible becaus
: they are just"