Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-09-05
A Campaign uith Real Issues.

A Campaign NTH Real Issues.
There has been no time since the
Lincoln campaign of 1850 when pol
itical issues were presented in so con-
crete form, or in a manner so well
calculated to engage the attention OF
the whole people, as they are at the
present time.
There is no attempt TO disguise the
issues. The several parties have set
forth in their platforms exactly the
things they believe in, and it is not
possible to give their words different
interpretations to suit the prejudices
of different sections of the country.
The parties which are arrayed
against each other disagree as widely
as possible in the policies which they
advocate, but they agree in affirming
the vital Importance to the country
and al its material interests of right
settlement of the questions in dispute.
Whether we read free silver" speeches
or gold standard" speeches. we find it
insisted upon with equal vehemence
that the welfare OF the masses Of the
people is at stake.
There is reason for this insistence.
We are all buying and selling. We
are all consuming and most of US are
producing something. Money measures
the value OF everything that is bought
and sold, produced and consumed. We
cannot, any of US, therefore, afford TO
be Indifferent to the standard which
measures value. any more than we can
be Indifferent to the question whether
yardstick measures exactly thirty
six inches, or more or less; or whether
a quart measure holds one, two, or
four pints.
The opposing parties also agree upon
another thing. They both argue that
something more than business or POI
litical economy is involved. They tell
the people that at the bottom are
questions of right and wrong. With
equal vehemence and apparently with
equal sincerity they appeal to the con-
science of the people. Here, again,
there is reason for the position taken.
The earning and payment of fair wages,
just relations between creditors and
debtors, and the equitable treatment
of all classes of producers and con-
sumers are as truly moral questions as
they are business or political questions.
The term educational campaign" is
often used, half-seriously and half-jest-
ingly, TO describe a campaign which
involves q discussion of issues for the
purpose of enlightening the people.
The tel m was never more justly used
than with reference to the present
campaign.
A real education is in progress, and
it is an education which with large
numbers of people must begin with
elementary principles. Trusted party
leaders are taking opposing views,
men of intelligence are deducing from
history and experience directly oppo-
site conclusions. What is the average
citizen to do-the citizen who wants Il
do right when he knows what is right;
Clearly, he must 90 some investigat
ing on his own account. He must sif
and compare the things which be hear
and reads. The conflicting policies ad
vocated cannot both be wise. The,
cannot both be right. To find on
which is wise and right the eitizel
must begin his study of the question
discussed with the platforms Of tht
parties, to ascertain precisely wha
they mean and what they propose. FL
should study both sides, and in thi
study should use, if he can possibl
get them, the writings of authoritie
who are not politicians.
This is study which will repa,
young Americans as well as thos
who are older. We shall reacl
different conclusions, but we are al
of us likely to know more about tn
currency and its laws and the wa
they operate when the discussion /
over than we did at the beginning.
Perhaps the least excusable of Al
Americans in this campaign is he VIII
is too Indifferent or too indolent /
give thought to these questions. Fol
tunately, people Of that class promia
TO be very few indeed.-Youth's Con
panion.