The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1893-06-15
CONVICTION iii Politics.


All applications OF the principles
OF ethics to politics can be primarily
applied to the individual Political
movements Of all kinds. whether be
tween nations or states, between men
Ia official capacities. in private life,
OF between officials and private citi
zens, revert primarily to individual
minds Whether the movement be
caused BIZ single individual or BY
collection of individuals it is all
the same. In the first case it is, az
matter of fact. with the single
mind. In the second the movement
is the result Of the aggregate Of opin
ions individually expressed, and
each man is responsible, as an indi-
vidual, for the result of the move
ment
So we shall attempt TO apply the
principles of political ethics TO the
individual alone. This will permit
an application 10 the entire field oil
politics within the narrow space al
lowed, and will make it pardonable
to express an opinion on the subject
in an academic Grafton although such
expressions Of opinion are severely
criticised as an egoiistic attempt 70
settle Vexatious and grievons ques
tions within the space Of . minute
The politician, in one sense Of the
word at least, is any man with the
right Of franchise-any citizen. Az
a citizena politician il yon please
he has powers, and powers impose
duties There is no palmer princi,
pie in morals than this, than the
harmonious use OF 4 power is y duty"
These duties, 10 relation to others,
carry with them rights
4 So the politician is man with
powers, duties and rights The
science Of the right nse Of these,
singly or collectively, is the science
OF political ethics. Each politician
has his idea Of The rightnse Of these
things, for there is in the bosom Of
every man q mighty Voice which tells
him that there is such thing as
right and wrong, and that, though
he may have made up his mind To
disregard this difference, be knows
the world will not. The politician
claims many things. yet knows that
BY openly proclaiming this disregard
OF difference between right and
wrong he will take away the only
ground upon which a claim can be
based, for q claim presupposes .
right. 4 right presnpposes the ethical
ground upon which il must rest.
Then why is politics d synonym
for corruptiona All politicians realize
tile necessity Of m ethical basis, real
or pretended, for every action. Then
why IL there so much corruptioni
The trouble is here. Too many polit-
ical actions have as their ethical
basis. as the why and the wherefore
they should be done. only that which
is the product Of the political imag.
ination. Political Imagination, cor
rnpt imagination. furnishes a reason
legally right, morally wrong, consti
tutionally right but not always woT.
thy of citizens of the United States
These things will be 20 till men
in all their political relations. follow
their convictions Such practict
is needed in every walk OF political
life. The representatives Of nations
debating over affairs OF international
concern, officials in their relations
with private citizens and with Others
Of their number, citizens in their se
lection Of and obedience to The OH
GERS Of government, all have THU
guide, conviction, to follow. Wher
they follow il political discussions
between any parties whatever vii
lead to peaceful settlement and
this will result ia just treatment b,
the victor and pleasant and satisfied
submission BIZ the vanqufshed.
Original opinions of rights ant
powers must differ. Should this diff
ference among civilized people result
as among barharians, in the over
throw and destruction of the WeakeI
Eparty? The rude alone make theil
sword the tongue Of the balance o
Justice, or bow without murmur /.
the stronger.
Every man has right To ever
exercise Of his powers which is con
Isistent With like exercise of III,
same powers by others. Aceordin,
| 10 this principle powers. and right
everywhere spring from the sam
4 fountain. the individual IN his pfim
/ tive endowments We are eli TEN
tiers Of ! circle ofrights These cir
cles ihaye the same eircnmferencl
till one Of is. by ignoring the prin
ciples ofright and justice. has con
stricted bis circle 10 some part D
throughout it, entire length.
II i the right and duty or ever,
II citizen 10 knew his lnty, especiallt
4 il countries like orr own. where civ
/ il liberty il enjoyed Right measure