Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-25
AN ESSENTIAL REQUISITE
The Force of Numbers Necessary to Give
Effect to Political Ideas.
POLITICAL MACHINES AND MACHINERY
Disciplined Organization Commended, Boss
ism Denounced-The Views of Congress
man Hartcr, an Experienced
Ohio Politician.
POLITICAL MACHINES AND MACHINERY
tCopWfOhted.l


When Ruskin was at his best and his
whole mind turned to reforms which en-
braced not only art and morals, but politics
as well, he wrote that Men only associate
in parties by sacrificing their opinions or
by having none worth sacrificing, and the
effect of party government is always to
develop hostilities and hypOcrisies and ex-
tinguish IDEAS" a sentiment far too sweep
ing, 1t will appear to most men, a doctrine
not without some foundation, but surely not
a conclusion justified by the facts. Ancient
as well as modern government has been
always one of party. History gives us no
account of any despotism so severe as to
absolutely destroy hostility kept alive by a
party. The rise and fall of nations, the
political commissions Of all ages have simply
been the markers of party ascendancy and
the registrars of ~factional decay. For a
reason which the student OF biology or the
professor of psychology could doubtless
present very clearly. mankind never moves
forward in political affairs except In bodies;
and no idea connected with human govern
ment has ever made substantial, effective
Roadway until there was crystallized behind
It the support of numbers. united with the
energy of party.
POLITICAL MACHINERY NECESSARY.
Az no complicated business in life, whether
1t be that of commerce, trade, manufacture
or religion, has ever been independent and
successful without the aid of machinery,
we can hardly expect to see practical govern
ment conducted without the same helps;
for organization is the very first requisite to
successful action. We must accept, there
fore, the axiom that In all human govern
ment worthy of the name political ma
chlnery is a necessary antecedent not even
to be written down as a consequence,
Government may properly be said to be
a result, and party machinery a cause.
This does not, however, drive us to any
such hopeless conclusion as that what we
know as machine politics" Is a necessary
thing. On the contrary. party machinery,
properly managed, should be and will be
the enemy OF machine politics. Only by
political machlnery-the caucus. the conven-
tlon and the platform-can great prin-
ciples be presented, supported and made
eternal. An army OF millions, without a
nag, devoid OF discipline. barren of leaders.
II IL remained in this chaotic state would
be powerless, even in a great and true cause,
Disorganized public opinion, no matter how
clearly individuals might comprehend vital
public questions, would never establish a
civil truth or break a fetter. while the
same number OF men gathered into a party
and controlled by wholesome machinery
would become invincible, might emancipate
millions and found a state, Does any
one suppose the truth which Golden
proclaimed in England could have
triumphed but for the formation of the
Corn Laws league? Would American indie
pendence have been secured without the
political machinery which kept patriotism in
perpetual motion In the colonies? Granted,
then. the need for party machinery, the
rational question Is How much Of Il. what
kind shall we have and how shall It be
worked" These questions properly decided
will furnish us with parties and parties with
powers which may. yes, always will be
beneficial to the state. Party machinery.
like all other, should be simple, 80 that all