The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-21
Some Nomentous Political Truths,

To THE EDITOR OF TIE Sun Sir: was glad
to see. in ono OF your articles on the Nebraska
decision. the definite recognition OF the dan
| ger which now threatens free institutions in
this country from the growing frequency OF
serious disputes concerning the title to high
offices. and Of the certainty that this danger
will increase from year to year unless tho
good sense OF the people prevents It. We need
the frequent development and application OF
the truth that the good sense OF tho people IL
our only adequate defence against such dan.
gers. II ut any time the good sense is lacking
we shall havc hard road to travel till sxperi-
encc makes us wiser Ever since the war We
have had mania for leg islation. and many PEG.
pie think the remedy for every evil IL now law.
The Legislation for civil service reform and
for the Australian ballot proceeds chiefly from
dtstrust Of the people. They arc attempts To
construct system OF laws and rulos possess
ing self-exeoutng powers. a machine which
will work automatically. and under the super
vision OF select class Of permanent office
holders produce results which the mass Of the
people are not wise enough TO attain. But no
class. however small. has yet Shown any ID!
perlority over the common people Of this
country. either In political wisdom or patriot.
ism. Tho reformers have had o full hearing
and their system has bean tried. but II does
not appear to have improved our civil service
Their ballot laws are marvels OF oomplexity
and intricate detail. They plainly seem
intended to make voting difficult. and
In this State. as in New York and
Massachusetts. their advocates encouraged
each other to strenuous exerton by the re.
Election thnt the new method would diminish
the number Of voters. 1t was constantly as
serted that 1t would abolish bribery and cor
ruption In elections We have not yet tried
ours In New Hampshire. but you have had
some instructive experience in New York.
ia system or law renders voting more 1iffi.
cult for the mass Of voters 1t should be re-
Jected. overthrow. and rooted out. The men
who distrust universal suffrage are too dainty
In their thought and temper for lnnd like
ours. They inevitably incline to shelter them
selves from the fierce and relentless discus
sion which ~ tho natural and necessary con-
dition OF lie for democracy in Ameri-
ca. But We must fight here. nerceiy
and forever. with the weapons OF thought.
OF we ahnll develop conditions which
will compel us to fight with sword and bayo-
net. The discussion regarding slavery pre-
pared tho way for the SUCCESS of tho Union
arms arm. IN the civil war but since that debate
growth of influences unfnvorabie to popular
d h;s Of public Affairs. The people ~
q such aud tsey have tt Int time mse ar
tn1nnotits Tor It. except as II Is carried : for
tons tend more and more to PREVENT po,ieni
discussion and activity. among laborers. and
business mon tmld and silent In many ,9 ohs
sm%ilsr to VI I'll" s0nropK influences
public affairs and interests IN D's early time 81
I ne town meeting was school Of discussion.
5 s 'bb S NY E s 1aHo to mot ssk.
surrey Gsy our pS tts AM Ana syzai"H
dishonest In polit les. and that partisan Hctiv-
MY 1Hp osd t. i'm
honest" as In tho manaGement Of trust funds.
must untrnha sa Sse yers I asIsa
Gen ID BhtleE What b Thought e ,hs doetrns
az ond. Men are, rs truthful in politics As Ia
hsr antyi,G. AZ nnsary ~ Ancrcens are
o31Iitis1 action, The number q persons TO
rnthtnIness and dshoncsis Which 1n appear sar
'sfs sa"t 81 Sa s sas s q sS
lization which, we have reached. They
afG If he 1nSIiiaI tES, nSGs
AZ G. ara sound S|,llization wsre Truth instead
,yl lng politics by giving the otlces toa class
War; ri Ia Df tsd pSSG s s sS1o
Int w. have done with 4 as nation. Az In"
rna !, ~ court would hayo no army to en-
1Ii rs mecishnns ana II y had there would
rees q our own courts II there were no force
'ehnd Them. Our great business corporations
I their own. We shall probably light with
ther nal !ons when We think there IL occasion
or u. and little sometimes among ourselves
sing gnns for counting votes or organizing
.eGls.tnrss Il Is an Interesting time Tor stu
bout progress, or the capacity Tor It. but have
cen no attempt at an analysis Of the subject.
a ernSns tne most that thoughtful man can
uns through the lilo OF the best rilces il Il.
roades At some times than at others. hut II IL
lotei but war IL not the worst thing in the
orll;. ~ IL ot so bad as tho Y! adiial decay
NJ elimination Of manhood. tho slow rottinS
nd corruption OF society breeding III. MOI.
, y. eoG mn pestiIential vapors which can to
cared away only by the storm OF bntile. After
'ng periods Of uncertainty. Of tenn porizinR. OF
'g4ncions tnsnlciency. true men may esteem
blessing when ut last we are ready to fight