The record-union., 1896-06-26

of another voluntarily, and the ability
to be a debtor persupposes the ability
Of somebody to be creditor, to sell or
to lend. If we are to believe the Popu-
lists and Nationalists and calamityites
generally, the cruelist thing in this
cruel world is a craditor, always ex-
cepting the obligation to pay the debt.
That excites populistic sympathy just
a little quicker and deeper than any
other thing of which we have ever
heard. Usually when q fellow cannot
pay the one who is to be pitied is he
who does not receive that which is his
DUE 1t is he who suffers. The debtor
who walked so jauntily and alrlly as IL
care free understood that when rebuked
for his want of worry about his debts,
when he replied: "Oh, it's the other fell
low who has cause for Worriment.'
However, as the POST well says, there
are some people so silly as to think that
a nation with the ability to pay con-
fesses that it has had the advantage in
the transaction, and it may be added
that the ability to pay indicates freedom
from any cow by the creditor. Now, If
any creditor nation is dictatlng TO the
people of the United States concerning
their freedom and independence in the
best meaning of those terms, when may
be taken to be doing about as we please
in the endowment of life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, we really ought to
know all about it. If any foreign nation
attempted to dictate to us concerning
our system of government, our laws
and our institutions, we entertain the
modest belief that the ears of that ma
ton would be soundly boxed. But mere
we are told that some nations are die
tating our policy, and we are meekly
submitting to the dictators. Ii tins
thing is going on, why is it that no one
knows of it save the Populists, and the
bobters, and the Altgelds, and the
isimdsts. and all the rag-tag and bobtali
procession of calamityites? That Is
question some one ought to answer
Tho Baltimore 'Sun" has timely ar
ticle emphasizing the distinction De
tween policy and principle IN pontics'
It we'll says that principle is eternal
while policy is more or less ephemeral'
and no matter what politicians may say
If IS simply impossible for any great
party to exist upon policy alone. IL
must be grounded on principles or II
can have no hope of life. 1t says:
Is it wise at this time to take de-
cisive ground on a present issue! Can
we win more votes by advocating or
opposing a proposed measure? These
are the questions that the mere poll
tician asks himself, and, though he may
sometimes gain an advantage by follow
ing policies rather than principles, he
Is sometimes shown to be singularly
short-sighted because he has not taken
into account the almost unconscious ad-
herance of the mass of voters to prln-
ciple. The so-caIled tidal waves"
which sometimes sweep the country to
the surprise of the politicians are not, as
a rule mere accidents, or due to the
whinls of voters. They generally result
from departure from principle by the
leaders or conventions of a party, the
voters remaining steadfast. AS
long as this Government shall last there
will be two great parties (their names
being of little Importance, divided upon
principles which can be applied to all
issues as they arise. Other parties may
branch off to the support Of particular
policies, but they cannot become formid-
able until they have established broad
principles entertained by great num-
Der of voters