The herald., 1898-05-01
NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED

War is so exciting that it is apt to
monopolize public thought and energy
and cause neglect of civil affairs. The
American people in the past have shown
that they were equal to whatever emer-
gency has confronted them. They surely
possess the versatility requisite to sue
cessful dealing with both external and
internal conditions at the same time. 1t
is a duty to attend to the one as much
as to the other; but in the exuberance
of their patriotism there is danger that
they may neglect domestic affairs.
War does not make just and wise in
ternal policies less important; on the
contrary, the duty to reform them when
necessary becomes more imperative. In
deed, it is more essential that there
should be watchfulness when war exists
than in time of peace, for it is then that
designing men seek opportunity to press
schemes for obtaining advantages. The
country has had experiences so recent
forgotten. The unpatriotic and grasping
will doubtless attempt a repetition of
what they achieved during the late civil
war. They expect that inter arms the
wheels Of progress will come to stand
still and that the people can be caught
mapping. Whatever advantage they may
gain they will endeavor to so fortify that
it will be impregnable to future assaults.
The revenue and financial bills pend
ing in congress are not so bad as some
of the measures enacted during the civil
war. but they are by no means free from
valid objections. They are so framed
that it will be easy for those more sor-
did than patriotic to obtain advantages
deleterious to the public welfare.
The strength Of a nation is not to be
measured by the armed forces it can
command. The people must be satisfied
with the laws and institutions; they are
patriotic in proportion to the blessings
derived through the Justice and benignitY
OF the civil government. A government
will not possess the qualities which in
spire love Of country unless the people
at all times, in war as well as in peace.
perform their duties with intelligence
and honest purpose.
1t may be apprehended that the war
with Spain will be made a political
hobby, in order to divert public attention
from other subjects and to gain party
advantage. 1t is possible that through
such strategy the people may be lulled
to sleep and misled. The war is not
a party affair. The great body of the
people stand by the country, and are
ready to sustain any administration in
so far as it displays ability and patriot
ism in the management of the war.
These observations are made to warn
against the diversion of thought and en-
ergy from efforts to improve internal
conditions in the state and nation. That
there is need for improvement in our
state will hardly be controverted. Care
is necessary that there should be wise
selections for members of the legsla-
ture and for representatives in congress
especially. There are many important
issues which should not be lost to sight
the proper settlement of which will vi
tally affect material interests and social
conditions. or
1t is not too early to begin to think
about candidates and policies, and the
more careful and thorough the investiga-
ton the less liability there will be to
mistakes. 1t will not be gansaid by
intelligent and honest men that our state
and municipal governments should be
simplified and rendered more effective
and less expensive.
The war will add to the burdens of
federal taxation, and hence it will be
more necessary that there shall be re-
trenchment of expenditures by the local
governments. When the patriotic spirit
is most active it should be the best time
to direct thought and effort to needed re-
forms, for it is then that the chains of
party are most easily broken.