The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-25

] Roman empire and the pursuit OF lie,
liberty and happiness is mono the less
/ his, though he bo disposed To relinquish
somothing that the whole, Of which he
ia an integral part, might gain. Our
conduct towards states aud oommuni-
I ties therefore must be characterized 10y
an those elements, features and quail
ties demanded when we treat with one
another. We must apply the teachings
Of ethics 60 practical life, and politics
form branch Of practical life.
! speak OF all politicians, whether they
be So ia the rigorous aud noble aocepta-
t.on ~ tho term which implies states
men OF the Gladstonian tyre, or actual
rulers Of the people In official position,
or in the less favorable sense, a those
who run what are called the political
machines. They all more or less influ.
ence or take part in the management Of
public afiairs Of government Their in
terforence gives direction 70 our civil
deatinies. Their power works veal or
woe 90 our social existence. Aud both
lecauso they are private individuals
and public functionaries, aud because
We are their follow-men and component
parts Of tho body polite, they have
strict and imperative moral duties
towards ms which they cannot we'll ai-
ford 20 pass over or neglect. just here
l would quote as briefly summariz ing
and beautifully appropriate the wise
words Of the pagan Epictetus Book
Ill, ch. W., on StatecraiD III thou
wouldst have a household well estae-
lnhed then follow the example OF tho
Spartan Lyourgus For even as he did
not fence the city with walls, but forti-
fed the inhabitants with virtue, and so
preserved the city free forever, thus do
thou not surround thyself with great
court and set up lofty towers, but con-
firm the jewellers in the hoSse with good I
viii, and faith and friendliness, and no
harmful thing shall enter; no not il the |
whole army OF evil we're arrayed against I
IT," And it was Montesquieu, believe, /
who still more succlnctly expressed .
these same ideas when he wrote that 4
republics are preserved by virtue and
monarchies by honor. Let politicians
then be honorable men, truthful men,
just men.
Honesty is the best policy and the
best politics. 1t is identical with honor
and means uprightness Of conduct. 1t
is a quality that IL Indispensable in every
sort Of transaction. No man who would
win the respect and confidence Of others
and who wishes TO attain permanent and
solid success IN his undertakings can
neglect or despise It. L is the founda-
Z on Of true business as we'll as # noble
character. lst it become known land
il will sooner or later il dishoncrable
and dishonest means are resorted to-
that certain firms, certain men, are
tricky. mean, unprincipled; that they
q clients and customers, that oonvic-
tion sounds the frs note in the down
fall. Some temporary success may fol-
low underhand methods. But such
only makes the final, inevitable crash
the more fearful. The best interests OF
trade, the soility Of mutual intercourse.
demand that everything be done over
and above board.
Political tricksters are an abomina-
ton. And it ia because Of political
meanness, political dishonesty, that
good and loyal, true and honorable men
complain SO loudly Of political corrup-
tion. To the politician are entrusted
sacred interests Of the people. We fol-
low, We cannot DO otherwise than follow
the lead % our public men. They are
commits oued % direct public affairs OF
government for our good We give
them confidence; We rely on their judg-
ment and superior experience. We con-
tribute funds for the carrying on Of
those projects that are 10 result, as We
trust, Ia conditions favorable TO our
peace and tranquility, happiness and
prosperity a8 a people. Have We not a
right then to expect our leaders TO be
men OF probity aud TO be honest in their
dealings with us? Every action taat is
not sanctioned by the principle Of honor
tends TO make politics a mere machine
which has come 10 work untold evil in
10 our political institutions and 10 give
TO our public affairs a direction 10y no
means apt 10 secure Tor US the blessings
Of life, liberty and pursuit Of happi-
ness.
Political organization is n necessity.
Every man recognizes that banding To- F
gether is a legitimate factor in the pros
ecut.ou o. aims aud purposes. in I.
union there is strength" Bat then the T
operations Of that organization are not
exempt from the spirit and qualities /.
which must govern men individually
the spirit Of honor, honesty, fair play. !.
How worthy of commentator and uni T
versal practice. Il had rather 10 right /
than be president"
Honorable men are also truthful mon.
They will not adopt what Talleyrand .
has been credited with saying Speech .
was invented TO conceal thought" .
Words should be expressive Of inward /
ideas. Intercourse with one another is
founded on tho assurance that mans
word says what De means. s mans
word should be- as go1d as his bond. n
the bond is known q be worthless
financial transactions lose a support and f
enterprises fail II aman's word cannot
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