The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-10-08
THE OLD COMMANDER

details of administration require specia
training and experience But in its broad
: policies, in the adjustment of it 10 the ends
for which it was organized, in the promo
tion of its purposes, men like Grant, who
. feel rightly and see clearly, who have =
sound Judgment, and saving common
sense and who will resolutely assert them
, selves under all circumstances. may be
safely trusted with its affairs and destinies.
1t would not be popular government If il
were otherwise.
The men who have left the profoundest
impress on our history were not SO much
disting guished for their wealth or their
eruditlon as the qualities, or some OF
them, which distinguished Grant. These
qualities are essential ingredients of polit-
ical manhood, and they are no less useful
and necessary in peace than in war. We
need men possessing them to resist the ag-
gressions of those who seek to make our
politics both an art and mystery, intel
ligible only TO the adept and initiated, who
assume the management of them by virtue
of their capacity for the deft and artful
manipulation of their fellows. Their in
| fiuence upon the country Is corrupt and
| debasing and the area of political venality
constantly enlarges under it. According
! to their views the whole interest that any
citizen has in municipal, state or national
! government is measured by what he can
make out of it.
! 1t is worse than idle, to shut our eyes to
the existance of corrupt methods and
practices in our politics, which threaten
to subvert our free institutions The
people are often cheated at the polls and
In legislation, and prizes which should be
the reward of honest merit are too fre-
quently bestowed upon the cunning and
the INSCRIPTIONS rich Real freedom is
not enjoyed by the people unless the laws
are enacted by their honestly chosen repre-
sentatives and their freedom of action is
as much impaired, when it is oorruptly in
need, as if controlled by force. The
man who accepts bribe of any sort, places
his conscience and judgment in the vilesJ
bondage. He is no longer free. Argument
is wasted on him. Bayonets at the polls
would not control his conduct more effec-
lively. And men who contribute money
10 buy votes, and to bribe the peoples
representatives, as well as those who
disburse it, are deadly enemies of
the republic. The greed and love of
power are greater than their love of cOun- |
try. They impair popular respect for law,
which is the only safeguard for life and !
property: and it will be an evil day for the !
nation when its preservation depends upon |
their patriotism and courage. They may |
masquerade in the garb of righteousness, |
and address the people in the language of |
patriotism, but their virtues are assumed;
they are hypocrites and assassins of lib
erty, and would welcome dynasty rather
than shed their blood in defense of popular
government. Their shameless and lnsid-
ious attacks on free institutions are in
fnitely more dangerous than the revolu.
tionary teachings and practices of a com
paratively few visionary and misguided
men and women in our large cities. 1t is
not such men as these, but the great null
titude engaged in active and hardy pur-
suits, who constitute the real strength of
the nation. They are not enemies of law
and order, they do not envy or hate those
who have acquired property by honest
they bear their full share of the
public burdens, and so long as the powers
of the nation are not perverted to their in
jury for the enrichment OF a few, they
will rally to its defense with unselfish and
devoted patriotism. Their energy and
have not been deadened by ease
and luxury. There can be no prosperity
without public tranquility, and the people
will not long remain tranquil under a | ,
we'll founded belief that the corrupt use of
money prevents free and honest express
sion of their choice of men and measures {
If public opinion cannot be honestly eX- ,
pressed in authorized ways our elections I
will become expensive and useless mock {
cries, and free government will exist only I
n name. Let us not be deceived by mere I
'Orms. Radical changes in government
nay be effected without perceptible ]
change in the mode of administration. !
some of the worst tyrannies the world has
,ver known were maintained under popu- .
ar forms. {
Men like Grant who have sprung from
he people, with strong and resolute char s
Icter, unspoiled by luxury, clear minded y
md level-headed, able to see men and
hings as they really are, undeceived by ]
outward show and conventionalIty, are
L. Il
Self-seeking politicians, its politi- +
al theorists, or its plutocrats. In war r
ud peace these qualities lie at the founda- c
ion of all true character. A nation not +
My needs such men but they are iudis- ]
'ensable to it. In times of peril it may Q
,erish with them. 8
It is not improper at this time to call at /,
ention to baneful influences and practices Z
which lower national standard and, un- h
hecked, threaten disaster. Engrossed in 2
he cares of business and labOrous occupa. \
ions, men seem lnattentive to the re-
uirements of citizenship, but they do not
onsciously and willfully shirk its duties
nd responsibilities, when they are clearly ~
cen and fully understood. They NAV be :,
low TO act, but when danger becomes i'm E,
linent thev will assert themselves again o,
S they have in the past They will not II
low the republic TO perish from neglect ii
he sentiment of patriotism is still strong ~
! the people. 1t is neither dead nor short :.
we'd. 1t grows and strengthens with Al
onest appeals to il, and it may be ap- I
ea led to with confidence for the vindica- \
on of good measures. 1t increases with n
very draft that is made upon it, and while n
may become silent through neglect | N,
does not cease to exist Its voice may al
g unheeded for a season and may be N,
rowned by the noisier tongues of
reed and selfishness but it will be heard | -,
. IL ,h,,,f
fronts, and quietly endures many indig- \,
tiles But in its temporary silence, it II
lthers an accumulation of energy and g
hen the limit of its endurance has been =
ached, its commanding voice breaks n,
nth on the startled air, trumpeJ-tongued.
nd against its mighty tones no other ~
lice dares lift itself 1t was so when our I
st war swept over the land. The spirit ~
patriotism which was then reused from re-
apparent slumber became dominant g.
ld pervasive. IL extended everywhere IN
Id touched everybody. 1t reigned su-
eme The ordinary interests of men
ere subordinated to it. The wSr did not
cate it, but reused it into action, gave it
rectiou, and furnished scope and oppor- NJ
nifty for the assertion Of itself. In our 10
mics. and behind them. ii was q moral 10y
rec OF tremendous energy urging them x
rward and onward until the supremacy pc
our cause was finally established. 81
Our country was settled by men who WI
ught land which they might love as tn
cir own, and pledged their lives aud for OF
mes for the maintenance of its institu- CO
)ns. Our republic was founded in the ur
triotism OF the people. and their love of fu
uutry was strengthened by the struggle tn
r its defense against foreign aggression. Qe
be revolutionary war was a test of the or
pular patriotism which had been pre- Ii
)usly implanted, rather than develop "a
mt OF H. The patriotism which was
lAZe Id the sneArhes OF Adams and Otis