The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-15
POLITICS AND FRIENDSHIP.


III l were preacher l could get up a
pretty good sermon on the friendships of
politics. know 1t is the fashion to look
upon politics as game of selflshness, and
70 regard politicians as so many wolves.
But after somewhat intimate acquaint-
ance with politicians of both parties for
some years am willing to go on record
with the statement that more genuine
friendships are formed in politics than
In any Of the other relations of life. More
over, politicians who amount to anything
must be manly and true. No sneaking,
doubie-faced, treachereus man ever made
more than q temporary success in poll
tics. He Is sure to be found out, and
discovery means ostracism. Politicians
are not angels, but their vices are at least
manly; The first thing they learn is to
to be ready to help unselfishly. in any
emergency. There is no other field of ac-
tivity In which the old saying SO we'll ap-
plies. that In order to have friends you
business or professional life-after a
fashion-without friends; but in politics,
never.
A few months before he died Horatio
Seymour said to one of his friends. Dwight
Lawrence, of New York: Dwight, / feel
that am near the end of my career, and l
want to tell you something. l have had
politicians in my time, and as look back
over the past l can clearly see that the
best friendships of my life have been
formed in politics. It is in politics that I
generosity. These friendships have been
enduring, too; many of them have con-
tinued throughout life. I believe politics
brings out the best there is in man. 1t
TEACHES the narrow man to be broad, the
selfish one. to be generous. This is true,
because friendships are essential to sue
cess. In that field Of activity ono must
have friends or he can't get on, and If he
wants friendships he must deserve them.
would not advise any young man to stay
out of politics because of the danger of
being demoralized. If he is the right kind
Of a man 1t will DO him good"
1t is fact that the personal friendships
of politics have combined to produce the
most powerful force in the Republican
party Of today; / mean the alliance Of
Quay. Platt. Clarkson, Fessenden, Man.
defend that combination. which has for
its object domination of the party and
control Of nominations. But 1t is never
theless true that this alliance had its
men. with many whose names have not
been mentioned. have been thrown to-
gether In the strife of conventions and
campaigns. They have sometimes been
opponents. but they have learned to like
to entertain mutual condolences They
have In the hard fighting of many cam
paigns learned to know where the true
metal Is, who are the men. who never
funk, who do not want everything in sight
when they win. and who do not whine or
reproach when they lose.
Personal friendship in this way served
as the natural basis on which was built
an alliance clearly the strongest seen in
Republican politics since the days of
Grant and Conkling. an alliance which
plans to nominate Reed. probably with
A n n1f tfxyn nh hAtn
the alliance will fail. for 1t is sure to
rouse antagonistic sentiment and compet-
Ing combinations, but there is. no good
reason why we should not accurately
1t was formed. 1t Is noteworthy, too, that
these men who have welded themselves
into cohesiveness with a practical aim
have done so largely In protest against the
cent man abhors. Their allowance is a
natural reaction against ingratitude.
broken pledges and the insolence of power.
These are the men who. through respect
init one of their number to take from
Wanamaker the cabinet post which he
had been promised, who would not per-
init Quay to be. driven from the national
whose election he had battied for, who
protested against disregard of the prom.
lse that Platt should be secretary OF the
treasury. who protested against the man.
ileT III Duuity was ONercu I'D In
sacrifice. We may not approve the pur-
pose or method of these men. but we must
respect that part Of their general motive
which had its origin in disgust with in
gratitude.
The thought has often occurred to me
that personal friendship is the basis of
great deal Of the remarkable activity in
politics which we see In this country-an
activity which no other country in the
world can duplicate. In what other field
Of. human energy will men exert them
selves so much. AND sacrifice SO much
without hope of direct reward? At the
call Of leader like Mr.. Platt, or Mr.
tiarrity., or Mr.. Quay. or Mr.. Tanner.
thousands Of men leave their homes and
lheir business and 20 to county conven-
lions. A thousand or two more pay their
expenses to state convention. Many
leave home for a week or two
10 attend national convention. Not one
In score Of these is an offlce-seeker or
office-holder. They.must do It for love of |
politics. and what is the secret Of that
which politics has for so many
men. but the opportunity to cultivate
to meet old friends and make |
naW 0naaY T-S |