Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1893-05-10
Paternalism.

We hear the term 'paternalism'
constantly thrown at the peoples par
ty; and in manner which betrays
gross ignorance of the meaning of the
word. We attempt to say there is not
a single idea of paternalism in the pop
platform. Their platform breathes
open defiance of paternalism in every
line.
What is paternalism? What does
it signify? 1t IS paternal government,
the government of a father. This
necessarily implies child more or less
helpless requiring the protecting care
of parent. A government is said to be
paternal when it essays to protect its
helpless subjects, or any portion of its
subjects. The very idea implies a de-
rivation OF power from some other
source than the whole people, power
over, above, superior to the people. A
government of the people, by the peo-
pie, a true republic, IS not and cannot
be paternal. 1t is merely IL system of
cooperation and self protection. We
combine to advance our common well
fare and protect ourselves against a
common foe. This is not paternalism
invoking some superior power; it is the
lion of our own powers, frateInal-
ism, a brotherhood, a cooperation; the
opposite of paternallsm. An absolute
monarchy is an absolute paternallsm.
A limited monarchy is a limited pa
ternalism. A pure republic is no pa
ternalism, but when the republic eX-
tends the arm of protection to some
| citizens when it does not to others,
when it opens the hand of generosity to
bestow privileges on some 1t does not
on others, it becomes to that extent
paternal. To that extent it departs
from the ideal of pure democracy.
When the government donates to
some special privileges of transporta-
ton, that is paternal. When the peo-
pie conduct transportation, for all
alike, that is democracy. When the
government gives the right to a few to
issue money to the exclusion of others,
that is paternalism, gracious gift
from superior power, power which
the favored few never had before ex-
clusively in themselves. When the
people issue their own money to all in
diyiduals on equal terms, that is doing
their own business, pure democratic
method, republican, traternal. pOpu-
lar government. When the govern
ment interpOses its mighty arm to pro-
tect few favored industries from
competition with the world, that is pa
ternalism. When the people uses the
governmental powers of protection for
all alike, that is popular govern ment,
democracy, Jeffersonian democracy, if
you please.
This government has to a certain de-
gree been a paternal government since
its foundation; for the principles of pa
ternalism were impressed upon it in
its infancy by Alexander Hamil-
ton, man who did not believe in a
government of the masses, who in ev-
cry essential sought to ape after the
mOnarchies of Europe.
During the reign of the republican
party, paternalism III our government
has been the distinctive, predominant
ing feature. 1t has been the soul and
spirit of the party. The same spirit
about 1878 began to dominate in the
democratic party and dictate its coun-
ellis and policy. But paternalism is un-
republican, unAmerican, and tyranny
over masses; so with no prospect of re-
lief from party machines in operation,
the peoples party has organized tC fight
paternalism, to restore government
of the people, by the people, for the peo-
pie, to go back to the ideas of demo-
cratic government; to restore to the
people the franchises that have been
granted to few, but which rightfully
belong to the people.
1t is the only democratic party, the
only fraternal party, the only party of
the people, the only advocate of pure
republic under the shining sun. 1t is
the only hope of the future, the advO-
cate of liberty. 1t is highly ridiculous
and silly, for those who have voted for,
advocated, Upheld, and lived under pa
ternalism for the past 80 years to sheer
"paternalism" to the only advocates of
pure democracy, government of the
people.