The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-06-24
PURITY IN POLITICS.

to the professional politicians? 1t is
perhaps a good thing to have in each
civilized country two great parties,
representing the opposition which
seems to be natural in human affairs.
But it appears to persons who are not
engaged in anything that brings them
Immediately into connection with politi-
cal affairs. that this seemingly neces-
sary division could and ought to be
devoid of Misrepresentation. of abuse
and of rancor.
tinuance of one party in power for a
lengthy period tends to corruption in
office and despotism in the exercise of
authority. Therefore it is proper that
the ''ins' should become the "outs,"
and the 'outs" the 'ins," at least oc-
casionally. so that evils existing may
be exposed and removed and the politi-
cal system be purged and purified.
But this ought TO be effected by fair
and honorable means and the truth as
understood on either side be made the
issue between the parties. Much of the
bitterness that attends the struggles
between the respective parties in this
territory springs from a disposition to
misrepresent the opposing party, both
as to its deeds and to its intents. And
this is made worse by the damnable
doctrine that what would be eXecrable
in ordinary affairs is justifiable if not
commendable in politics.
John ]. ingalls, summed up the Re
publican political policy as, Get
there" He likened a party campaign
to a military campaign. He ridiculed
scruples on the part of the general of
an army. He justified every artifice
and every deceit to overcome the
enemy. To conquer, that was his end
and the means to it might be any
thing to s'get there We fear that
some of our local Republicans have
imbibed the same pernicious policy,
Judging from expressions that have
fallen from their lips, to say nothing
of actions that seem to correspond
We do not mean by this that politi-
cal chicanery and devious expedients
are confined to one party. They
are to be found among all parties and
they are no better in one than in an
other. They are to be generally con-
demned But when politica. leader
lays it down as an axiom of his party
that the means do not matter so that
the end is reached, the condemnation
applies most emphatically in that di-
rection.
We give full credit to many of our
Republican friends for sincerity in mo
tive and honor in conduct. They ge-
lieve they are right and they want the
right as they view it to prevail. Demo-
Gratis occupy exactly similar ground in
another direction. Both aim at the
same thing-good government-but
hold different views as to the manner
by which that may be effected. The
honest and liberal men of both parties
can appreciate each other, and their
endeavors to promote the general well
fare can be conducted without anger
and free from dishonorable methods.
When Republicans say that Demo-
Gratis want to ruin this country and
build up England; that they are foes
to home industry and DESTROYS of cut
ting down wages; that they have caus-
ed the hard times which have come
upon the land; that they wish to ruin
the sheep business and destroy the lead
market; such Republicans are practic-
ing the Ingalls, policy and are to be
classed with the politicians who are not
statesmen, and with those unfortunates
who are doomed to be without the holy
city because they make or love a lie.
We have no higher respect than that
for Democrats who misrepl esent the
aims and purposes of honorable Re-
pubicans. We are against dfsreput-
able means to accomplish an. purpose.
Republicanism has been rampant for
a third of century and the results
are before the country. TIE Demo-
cratic party is now on trial 1t should
have full and fair opportunity to
show whether its principles and policies
are better than those of its predeces-
sor. That will take time. If the peo-
pie of this nation are wise they will,
see to it that the needful time is grant
ed.
But when all kinds of tricks and
lodges and evasions and subterfuges
are resorted to for the purpose of de-
ceiving the public, to the end that the
Of the elected party may
regain their hold and their emolu-
ments, the thinking people of the
United States should show their good
sense and desire to prevent renewed
of business and financial
interests, by despising those methods
and by keeping at the head of affairs
until it can be fairly demonstrated
what the effects of the new policy shall
be, the party which has been elected
to reform the existing evils but which
has scarcely entered upon the gigantic
work that it has been called upon to
perform. The welfare Of the nation Is
above all party '-1---ls.