The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-10-22

original impress upon the face, form
and action Of a capable class of men
| And in accord with this fact, tn,
two speakers who addressed us wer.
average representations -perhapl
one of them superior representa-
tive-of the party. Men who, al
bearing the practical burden of pub
lie affairs, know both something O
the imperfections of government in
practice, and the facility with which
outside criticism can miss the mark
in some details and particulars
when sitting in judgment upon the
party in power.
Mr.. Dubois and Mr.. Sweet spoke
with ability, and went into much
interesting statistical and business
details founded upon their practical
experience with men and measures
in the houses of congress, and the
earnestness of their defense-fOr
they plainly felt their party put on
the defensive before populists-
seemed apparent to all.
1t was probably as good work in
defense of the present republican
position and policy as could be
done. On the whole, it was evident
that they, unlike the democratic
speakers, felt no clear misgivings
about their own party, which gave
them the courage to join issues with
the new critic-the peoples party
more closely and directly than the
late democratic speakers here had
the heart or conviction to do.
Mr.. Sweets long, earnest, able
and detailed address was an exam
pie of good speaking, and as a
whole appealed to reason instead
of being, what is so often the shame
and degradation of politics, a play
upon the prejudices and passions J;
though at places he seemed to yield
to the temptation to make a point
unfairly.
It seems but true to say that the
speeches, as statement of the re-
publican position, must have COM
manded a fair respect from candid
hearers of other parties, who might
not have been convinced, or moved
from their own positions.
1t was interesting speaking to
one nearer at least, for there were
words of the speakers, which un-
consciously to them, seemed to re-
veal the logic of the collision be-
tween the old parties and the new
politics. 1t is noteworthy that the
republican speaking and writing
has been especially business state
ment." McKinley's speeches and
Blaine's letters attend strictly to
" business" So Senator Dubois
argument was one of business
present republican, politics in
volved, he said, no moral issues"
but was question of business in
terests." By these words the
youthful Senator honestly and un-
consciously s'gave away" the latter
day republican position, and un-
covered the cause of the rise of the
third party and the growing politi-
cal insecurity Of the party SO long
in power.
This great party of so high aver
age intelligence and political and
social leadership for thirty years in
the United States, party that was
called into existence to meet a
great moral issue, and did it sue
cessfuIly; the party of Abraham
Lincoln and the heroism of the
war for freedom and union, has
come to business basis" and no
longer sees morals in politics." or
the call for it Its intellect is now
bent on business, the getting of
material wealth under the system of
competition; the competition of
the strong and INSCRIPTIONS against
the scrupulous and the weak.
This great party with it's member
ship of intelligence, culture and
ability; of training in social and
political leadership, of accumulated
wealth, of pride in Americanism
and of private personal humanity
and generosity, has fallen out Of
morals in politics, and with the fall
to Cuisines" have left the weak
and the poor, politically, to the
devil and the hindmost,
As though equality Of legislation
is not constantly q vigilant moral"
as we'll as q :" business" proposition,
when the veal or woe of manhood
itself depends upon the just and
equal manipulation Of the bread
and butter question for all
The issue has become plain to the |
thoughtful men of all parties, ex-
cept the to active and accomplished
leaders Of the republican business
organization, who 60 on Boosting |
Of their past record, and their pres
ent prosperity. That issue, in gem
eral terms, is: money and hard. in
tellect W. soul and hQmanixed man.
Il is whether men shall become ma
Or hnmanixed. Whether
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