Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-22
A LenderIcss Government.

Friend Of Ours)
a distinguished orator has lately oe-
mons trated to the public how that we
are and have been for some time past
a leaderless government. Most Of us are
familiar with the observation that
since the war our people have been
pretty much running themselves. we
have gotten along. in spite Of govern
ment. Under Heaven, the virtue good
sense. enterprise. and intrinsic wealth
OF the nation have been developing
themselves, Notwithstanding superah-
nuated war banking. one-sided revenue
laws made TO order TO protect speclal
interests. and general legislation Grip
pied. distorted and torn TO shreds oy
party jealousy and personal objects
Our legislation has been largely a game
Of sections and parties playing for ST.
prernacy. while the individuals have been
eagerly grinding their own axes and
licking their own fingers.
We have survived and progressed I'M
der the conditions, but they have cost
US heavily. And ii is a question how
long we can stand them. and what is
to be the general result; what settle
ment IS to be exacted OF US for all our
public misdoings. Natural law and
equity cannot be continuously disregard
ed with impunity. Acute and temporary
attacks may pass of, but chronic and
esta 5lished disorders mean death.
We may survive without leaders, but
we cannot survive when principle IL
habitually set aside by the government
or the people. We know that policy In
place OF law has been made 10 control
| the Supreme Court, that States have
been established against the Constitu-
| ton to make senators and keep a party
in power. and that caucusinG and par
liamentary tactics have displaced con-
/ ference and elaboration in our public
councils. If there IS any consideration
or discussion. it is By the stump speak
ers and newspapers. and not by the
| legislators. senator and a congress
man is little more than a counter or a
vote-merely animated and taught his
lesson as he is instructed.
Men, hlgh-minded men, who know their
rights. and knowing dare maintain, arc
the constituents Of the State. When citi-
zens and voters and representatives. are
made up OF that sort Of stuff we have
great nation and a happy people. Such
people are a law unto themselves. They
may have friends and counsellors, and
public servants, but they are not to be
led ana handled by men like themselves.
Their leader and controller is a sound
pubic opinion, the outcome OF rgnt
minds and honest hearts-of healthy
thinking, OF good conscences. and pro
per human feeling. A high and wise
| public opinion IS the true leader and The
glory OF a country. Righteousness ex-
alteth q nation, but sin is d reproach to
any people.
II is an old and approved saying: For
the transgression OF a land. many arc
the princes thereof. Israel was pros
porous and happy when every man dio
that which was right in his own eyes
| They hardly knew a leader. Vice ano
idolatry brought them a leader IN the
name Of kng-giyen in anger and taken
| away in dspieasure. II is re degradation
and madness Of the people mat makes a
leader and despot. IN one shape or an
| other. necessary. IN unthluklng, vicious
| selfish, irresponsible crowd Is the thing
for a leader and demagogue--;he stu5oie
for a frebranc 10 iight into general fam.
and consumption.
The United states OF America are try
ing ali the questions tnat have ever yexe1
| humanity since the beginning OF sOcla4
\ lie, the oldest or all being labor ana
capital, poor and rich muscle and mind
Our government Is put UP or the prin-
ciple OF being leaderless. He that l. chief
| among Us il to be the servant. The
honest and intelligent and unss nsh pee
pie is 10 govern itself Altruism for one
another-not egoisr purely selfish
with the devil take the hind
most-is our watchword. American
| repubiics nism is the ideal OF latter-day
| civilization. And IL Is strange how
things are working: Who knows? Pos
shly TO work on the evil Of politics: 10
make US too good and wise 10 be mis-
led and COMPOUNDED by selfish. vicious
mlsleaders. our glory is 10 be a leader
less government: every man governing
himself ana his family under his own
vine and fig-tree. and doing that which
in the fear OF God, is right in his own
| eyes.
To tho great end just suggested. our
| whole social system is tending: the per-
lection OF the individual. the perfection
OF the family city. state. and General
Government: however things may seem.
That is the evolution and capitalization
tnat Is working Itself out. Character is
asserting itself as 2 business and social
| and general necessity. The work OF
righteousness 10 peace and the effect OF
it quLetness and assurance forever.
Never was there such a day for COM
pan.e.. unions. lodges, associations, con-
Ventions, and meetings, Of every sort
| and description, 10 consider. discuss, and
develop every idea that has ever
! entered into the mind of man, and turn
| it TO o practical account--to materialize
and capitalize it-and at the same
10 know every right that belongs to
man. 10 understand all its incidents. and
to establish and maintain, and cherish
| and enjoy II. high noon OF humanity
| is upon u.s. as never hitherto.
All these little and great meetings for
business. politics. art, literature. religion.
or anything else. are institutions OF learn
Ing. practical edrcators-inost efficient
Men, women, and children talk. make
speeches, write about live. present, press
ing interests. And not only are minds
| quickened. aud enlightened. and is knowi-
edge increased. but morals and right prin-
ciples and truth in every shape, are i'm