The advocate., 1897-10-06

for the spOils of Office and the enjoyment
Of success. To this prostitution of the
ballot may be ascribed every chapter OF
shame and corruption in the history Of
American municipal government. It is
better to have a government by the
Republican party, responsible to its dec
laratlons, than government by Demo-
cratic partisans, without responsibility
to Democratic principles.
Many persons cOnfound opposition
with principle A mere partisan Demo-
cratic opposition to the candidates Of
the Republican party cannot be dlgni-
fed with the tlme-honOred banner Of
Jefferson and Tilden. One Of the most
fascinating fallacies OF the day Is the
claim that opposition to the administra-
tion of Office by partisans is a prin-
ciple. S0-called non-pamisan govern
ment is not a principle, and should
1t be accepted and eliminate political
parties from municipal affairs, invites
reasOnless contests. Government might
as well be decided by the futures Of
rival colors on the football field. The
Democratic party is the enemy of this
fallacy. I do not, therefore, subscribe
in any way to the theory that good city
government Is to be found In govern
ment without party. IL the dream of
nOn-partlsan government becomes a re-
ality, then would arise a condition of
contests for power between citizens
unions and peoples unions, each claim
ing to be the only original purveyors Of
purity in government.
"The proposition to govern Greater
New York through an organization
known as the Citizens Union is one of
the most vicious heresies that assails
our political progress, and the more
dangerous because Of It's allurlng spOn-
sorship. Government by the Democratic
party or the Republican party without
adherence to issues, and government by
the Citizens Union, instead Of a govern
ment by the people, becomes government
by an organization. / would consider
1t q calamity If New York begins its
greater career without the auspices Of
political principle and responsibility.
"The Democratic party Is the party OF
home rule but home rule does not mean
responsibility to the nation at large
The great cities are part of the State and
country; they are the granaries, treas
urles, clearing houses and capitals of
culture and science; they are created,
not Of themselves, but of the whole peo-
pie and the whole peoples toll and pro-
gress; therefore 1t Is unnatural and arti-
fetal to avoid responsibility to national
issues and political cowardiCe and politi-
cal crime.
Greater New York will be the un-
crowned capital Of America. The Demo-
Gratis OF New York have a responsibility,
not only to themselves and the greater
city, but to their party and it's living
principle and the nation. This election
Is the most important and influential
political event between 1896 and 1900.
To suggest that the Democratic party
platform has no place in this contest is
to admit a doubt Of its wisdom and
places the Democratic party on parwith
the fallacy Of non-polltcal government,
The issue is the life of the party, not
the garment, and to alter or deduct from
the declarations Of the assembled party
Is mortal injury. Nor have battaliOns
which have fought, now on one side,
now on another, now shoulder to shoul-
der as friends, now bayonet to bayOnet
as enemies, place in honorable war"
The bitterness of party strife is shown
in a Nebraska case. The Republican