The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-01

cality demand imperatively their united
efforts for better government.
Free popular government is not helped
but injured. when men are expected to
divide on unreal issues, and are taught
to consider that those who differ from
them in their views of what is the best
public policy on certain questions are
unworthy for confidence and support
when judgment has to be passed upon
certain other questions.
1t is like refusing to vote as a iuryman
with ones neighbor on that jury, be-
cause said neighbor couldn't agree with
you in another case which you heard on
the day previous. The theory of the
vote by the people is that the individual
man will exercise his intelligence freely
and honestly as trust, not for the good
OF his party. but for the good of all. He
owes duty to those who do not belong
to his party as we'll as to those who do.
The theory supposes an ebb and flow Of
public opinion in the great sea of public
debate, caused by the effect upon the in
dividual minds and consciences of the
arguments addressed to them through
the press or otherwise. IL the tide
water OF opinion is held in artificial ba-
sins and not allowed to flow freely, it
tends to become stagnant. inert and I'M
healthy.
OF course, where there is lack of free
dom Of movement there is tendency
for movement and life to cease. Where
powers are not used they become afro
phied and incapable of exertion. So we
see the thing work in our cities. Where
all that man has to do in municipal
election is to find out who is his party in
national affairs is voting for and to 60
through adequate motions to show that
he merely cares to do what the party lead
ers say is to be done, why, OF course, the
occupation ceases to be particularly inter.
esting or stimulating, and rouses no en-
thusiasm for the cause. for which is sub
stituted merely desire, more or less
eager, that his side shall come out ahead.
No wonder that party leaders find it
necessary to stimulate the energy of
their followers by promises OF spoils and
rewards drawn from the public Golfers,
when there is no principle, or sense of
the Importance to the public welfare Of
the outcome of the election. to kindle
enthusiasm and to spur men to energetic
effort. II we wish to interest citizens in
municipal elections, as we must if we
desire them to be controlled by the peo-
pie and not merely by those who make
speciality Of attending to them, it is
imperatively necessary to the creation
and maintenance Of that interest that
the elections should be interesting. To
be this. the people must feel that they
are real struggles and that their efforts.
and the efforts of their fellows. are put
forth to purpose, and that when they
think right upon what is involved, there
is no hope of gaining the votes of their
fellows. because forsooth they happen to
disagree upon matters which have moth
ing whatever to do with the question
involved.
And what can be more important to
the success of government by the peo-
pie than that the people generally should
take lively and real part in the work.
ing OF it? Is not one of the fundamental
differences between it and monarchical
or oligarchical government. that it is
government by all, while the others are
government by those to whom the gov
erning of the people is specially, an
occupation inherited or chosen, and for
which they are especially and somewhat
exceptionally trained? 1t is tremend.
GUS issue for popular government to
face, and it behooves all who love it to
see that the exercise of it's privileges is
encouraged and made efficient in every
way and on every occa sion. on munich
pal arenas as we'll as in the national field.
Let us have freedom and we shall have
the effort, and with earnest efforts and
Gods blessings we may hope to sue
coed.
BROOKLYN, NY.