The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-05
Can such things be.
And overcome us like q summer cloud.
Without our Srscial woudary

Can such things be.
And overcome Us like summer cloud,
without our special wonder:
The American citizen who In not proud
OF his country. and who does not feel q
thrill of pleasure within him as he contem-
plates recent events. as we'll as a growing
sense Of responsibility for his political ac-
tion with reference TO irs government. 10
not worthy OF the privileges 1t confers upon
him. and Is unfit to discharge properly tho
duties OF citizenship which he has under
taken 10 perform. That government may
not be perfect In all respects, and Its action
at times may be the subject OF just criti-
cism. but its imperfections are such as TO
pertain to our common humanity. II ID.
nevertheless. entitled TO our esteem and
confidence. and cur best efforts as citizens
should at al times be put forward for ita
improvement. The respect In which It 10
he'd In other lands is ey.nced by the fact
that people from all parts OF the world are
constantly striving to reach our shores for
the purpose Of improving their condition.
and We are Obliged to pass the most ssrtn-
gent laws to keep out undesirable immi-
grants.
Like the Copperheads Of ola.
Under the circumstances. therefore. It ID
surprising to ind large numbers OF men In
our country. claiming to be its friends and
loyal to its Institutions. who are constantly
disparaging IL methods. dscrediting its ef-
forts to bring abos:. desirable results and
-ndeavoring to destroy military. financial.
social and economic conditions which have
stood the test Of time ANA experience. and
are undertaking to substitute for these con-
ditions visionary and impracticable theo-
ries which have never ye, been carried into
successful operation amongst civilized peo-
pie. They remind old citizens. whose mem-
ory goes back to the war OF the rebellion,
OF the hostile spirit and attitude Of tho
Knights OF the Golden Circle at that time.
and OF the resolutions adopted by Demo-
cratic convention In Chicago. declaring
among other things that ''the war was .
failure" but In spite OF their opposition the
war was carried to a magnificent conclu-
sion, and all parties now profess entire eat
.sfaction with It's results The declarations
made then and now are simply illustrations
Of the indulgence, charity and forbearance
OF the American people IN the matter OF
free speech and Of a free press. That some
Of these men are honest in their mistaken
ideas Is no reason why :hey should be sup
ported or encouraged In them.
Must Choose Detween Good and Da0
Two political parties are now before tho
people OF the state OF Washington asking
for their suffrages. One OF these il the Re-
publican party, whose principles are known
and read or all men, for they form an irn-
portant part Of the history OF our country
during the past ,hirty-seven years The
other is called. by courtesy, the Populisf or
fusion party. and has no record 10 speak
Of In national Affairs. Few men OF average
intelligence would recommend that the
teachings Of history and the lessons of cx-
perience should be aisregartied In the com
duet of either our public or private busi-
ness, and yet that Is exactly what Is urged
upon us BY the Popuist party OF the state
Of Washington. 1t u true that this party
Is made up OF heterogeneous and dlscord-
ant Clements. which have already gone to
p.eces in many OF the older states os the
Union. where their fayorste doctrines are
utterly dIscredlted but Ia this state its fol-
lowers are stiil numerous ana. acrua;ed by
a great variety Of motives. are c!amoring
for popular approval
Doctrines Are RevoIutionasy.
In their EIiensburg platform there arcscv-
eral demands or declarations which should
receive the thoughtful consideration OK
every voter. There are others Of the same
temper and tendency. but these are srffi-
Client TO Indicate the general character and
purpose Of the leaders OF this party. The
first declares IN favor Of this ''inItiasiye and
referendum" The second demands the
re-esfa ablsshment OF ti-metaillsm by the re-
turn 10 the free and unlimited coinage of
both gold and silver into money a, tbs
present legal ratio Of is to L. etc, ard shs
third demands the submission TO the people
OF the state Of the single tar" proposition.
or that all taxes should be levied exclusive
iy upon land
A little reflection viii convince any
thoughtful man who viii inquire into tho
facts that ali these propositions are ex.
tremeIy dangerous, ard that their adoption
would bring untold evils upon the country
without any comp rsattns good whatever.
With reference 10 TIE first. IL In sufficient
strike down our present system OF legfxsa-
ton and substitute therefor ths making of
laws by the whole body OF the people,
which IN ensirsly iyaprzetieabse and is only
q long step II the direction Of anarchy and
II H. no doubt, 80 understood fSy the leaders
who are urging on this Quixosie scheme.
For "what In every hody's would be no.
tody's business In .gss as 10 parallel cases.
ard we should have that utter prosfrasioo
Of law and order which would snAtss aemAr