St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-22
CONSCIENCE IN POLITICS.

Ex-senator INGALLS, is not the only
man who believes that that purity i'll
politics which can only come from per-
hitting conscience to have the same
play in that field that it has or should
have in others is an "iridescent dream"
Trained in the school in which he had
his lessons in practical politics, the IA
nous conclusion of the Kansas senator
did not lack justification. No man WHO
has been brought in contact with the
methods employed by men in the hot
aid fierce game of politics but comes to
believe that the pivotal rule of the game
is that the end justifies the means. The
end may be either the success of the in
dividual in attaining the place to which
he aSpires, or it may be'the retention OF
power by the state OF national OrganlZa-
tion-it warrants and justifieS resort to
methods that, applied TO business pur-
suits, would at once destroy the reputa-
ton of those using them, aud with it
the possibility of success. Deceit, lying,
false pretenSe, theft, fraud, force, VIC
lence. are cards with which democrat
lied public opinion regards it as ineyi-
table. if not proper, that this fascinating
game shall he played.
The prolific source of this condition,
which all admit to exist and to be
traught with grave dangers, may be
found in the blind, submissive devotion
to party, which is oftener based on
prejudice than Judgment. The policies
of a party are measured less by their
righttulneSs than by hatred or dislike
or fear of the opposition. 1t may be
conceded that the policy is wrong and
indefensble, but it is better that our
party shall rule, being wrong, than that
the other party shall succeed to power.
1t is better that fraud or violence, or
any other means questionable in NOR
ais, should be used to retain our party
in control than that it should lose power
by not reSorting to them. This DISPOSE
ton is what the INSCRIPTIONS managers
of parties bank on. They know they
will not be rebuked by their own partl-
sans, and they are indifferent to the
opinions of all others. 1t is the intelli-
gence in any party which refuses the
guidance of conscience in political &C
ton that renders possible the conditions
which all good citizens deplOre.
The tendency is to prevent the CON-
bination of, conscience with intelligence
by covering its action with contumely.
1t requires a high degree of moral
courage to face the consequences. Op-
probrious epithets are hurled at him
who does it, He is a "kicker," a
"bclier," a ''holier-than-thou," mug
wump. He is a renegade, turncoat, a
dtserter. Sometimes social oStracism
follows. To such a man the mud bat
teries turned on him are hardly less
offensive than the fulsome laudations of
his new allies. And so it doubtless
comes about that so many men remain
with and support party measures which
they do not approve of, preferring "to
bear the ills they have than fly to
others" which they know await them.
But it is that which sustains ones faith
III the permanency of our government,
that men are found in critical times
strong and brave enough to unite con-
science and intelligence and do what
they think is right and for the right, re-
CARELESS of the consequences.