The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-03-24
PRAoTI6AL AND IDEAL.


PRAOTI6AL AND IDEAL.
The idealist of the East Oregonia1'
appears to be somewhat perturbed be-
cnuse we shattered the IDOL that he
worships in the shape Of modern
Democrat. Mr.. Jackson may thor
sughly understand Democracy; but
the Democrats who have materializsd
during the past quarter of century
are far different IN every respect from
the pictures he has painted. The
Democrats whom he dreams Of con-
tinuously only exist in the imagina-
tion of fewtpeculiarly gifted indi-
viduals, and it would require miracu-
loue power..,to give them being aad
tangibility. @It is more satisfactory to
deal with things as they really exist,
and reformations are more easily eff
fected and made moro lasting by this
nsanssthan by.idolizing..i myths and
ideals. Bro. jackson says:
"The editor Of The Dalles paper is
very frank. His beliefs are very com
mon and very much akin to. those Of q
parasite or highwayman. A man
without ideas may make good, sue
eessful politician, but it mustibe borne
in mind that he weuld also he an Or
dinarily successful thief. T..Without
ideals. morals land honor Q man is
nothingsbut a..living piece Of clay, and
has no place ina republic"
If the realist, without morals and
honor, is.."nothing butsa living piece
Of clay. and has No place in rePub-
lic," the idealist,.. with these. and with
NO faculty of adapting them in every
day life. has no proper place Of exist
ense in republic, monarchy or other
country, outside of lunatic asylum.
The man who is constantly preaching
the ideal in politics or business, should
be viewed with suspicion, for be will
very likely develope into hypocrite
or schemiag sceundrel. it requires
no great study for man to knew the
difference between nsewna and tssssna,
and ideality will not help hin to have
. finer conception Of the rig hts OF
propsrty; but it does require some ex-
perience with things ae they exist to
give men ordinary commen sense. As
. truth, which is almost automatic,
there are more lunatics in asylums
from idolizing ideals than there ara
thieves from following the practical
ideas of mattera The man becomes
the better citizen BY occasionally tear
ing down his castles in the air and as
sociating with his fellows as an ordi-
nory mortal, and not attempting to
lead An ethereal existence.
It may appear strangs to some that
the editer of the East 0rssen;oa. dur
ing presidential campaigns. is in per-
feet harmony with the parsy, and sup
ports any Aeshly incubus who may be
placed 1t the head Of the ticket; but
when the contest is over, goes back to
his worship Of idols This may be
consistent, but his politics before and
after elections rarely harmenises.
During the canvass Of 1892 We read
nothing in the East Oregonias oensu-
able of Mr.. Cleveland or Mr.. Hill;
but they have been freely criticised
since. They may net be ideal Demo-
cratsr but they were the same before
the last presidential election, as they
are now. From such actions, one is
Inclined to the belief that the editor OF
our cotemporary intends to be praeti
cal, when votes are required; and only
visionary when it will work no. injury
to his party. In doing so he Is follow
ing rule Of action which he severely
censures in others, and one that will
effect NO great reformation in politics
or political parties .t
The ideal and the real should be
and in 90 dong men may
become better neighbors and citizens,
and politics very much purer; but the
ideal must be made perceptible, and
clothed with fesb and blood, or else it
can never be grasped by those whom
it is intended to benefit.