Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1898-01-28


There are two commonly accepted
theories of government. LIST, that power,
or authority to govern, resides in some
person designated as king, car etc; End
shat power resides in the people, and
that it may be exercised by them for
the common good.
The government of the United States
and of each state Is based upon the
second theory. Argument for and
against each of the above theories can
be produced. The first is better adapted
to prompt and vigorous adminlstra-
tion, and to the continuous and system
attic development of national policy.
The second is slow to act, and very
liable to eccentric motion. Different
policies of administration are liable to
succeed each other at short intervals,
thus rendering the affairs of govern
ment and business uncertain. On the
other hand, the first is more exposed to
usurpation than the second, while the
slow motion of the latter is supposed,
and we think rightly, to offer correc-
tive for srratic action.
Popular government rests, however,
upon suppositiOn, i. 9. upon the sup
position that majority of the people
know what should be done, and that
they will have the honesty and courage
to do it.
How important, then, it is that peo-
pie De educated in questions of govern
msnt and morality!
Educated to not only know what
should be done, but to act from choice
and not from impulse or from any ex-
terror influence, social or polictical. In
proportion as the structure of govern
meat gives force to public opinion, it is
necessary that public opinion be educat
cd. In this Washington summed up
the great question of self government.
1t is not enough that men know what
should be done and have honesty; they
must also have the greatest freedom in
expressing their wills in law. The bal
lot should be free and secret, and the
social relations should be such that no
restraint be placed on free choice. Pol
itieaI parties are supposed to assist
majoritiss IN making their wills effec
tive. Under normal conditions no
doubt exists but they may accomplish
this end, but political parti. s, like other
useful agents are abused. While there
are fixed political parties; while mel
vote given party ticket from the mo-
tive Of political regularity, while mel
vote by platoons and regiments on one
question as On another, party supre-
macy, is not test as to the best thought
and will of the majority.
Because l differ from you on the
tarif question is not reason why |
should differ or argue with you on the
money question; yet fixed political
psrties are founded upon that assump
ton. Fixed party lines are an abuse oil
our system of government. They art
and have an existence only
because of the "spoils system" They
never did exist until after its introduc-
ton, and could not now exist without
Il.
This accounts for the annual attempi
to overthrow the Civil Service law. IL !
to aimed at this system, and the pro
fessiOnal politician must either prevent
ito development and general observance
or lose his job.
The true party system is that where
In men live up on some political ques-
ton. cast their votes, and then break
rank. When the same or a differenr
question arises line up again, vote and
break rank. The second division need
not be like the first and If the question
be different, the division should almost
OF necessity be different. Under this
condition the party becomes ali instru-
mont In the hands OF men and not mel
In the hands of the party. The first
condition 10 normal, the second ab.
normal.-CoNTRIBUTED.