The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-24

In pONtlcS the right thing is some
times wrong, and the wrong thing some
times relatively right" said Gov. John
Lind. In his address before an audience
at the Y. NJ. c. A, upon The Young
Man in Politics.
This statement sounds paradoxical,
but 1t is probably true In a great many
cases. Our conclusions would be that st.
Paul would be a better city II 1t owned
its own electric plant and street cars.
If these municipal improvements are to
be paid for by the public, then the public
should make and control them On the
other hand, you say that municipal own
ership is comparatively an experiment
and is relatively wrong; that customs
and the Ideas Of the people are prejudiced
against such departures. There you have
the two illustrations of the statement.
When l was boy there was not a town
or city that owned its electric light plant,
and today many Of our cities not only
own their electric plants. but many other
like improvements. By and by public
opinion may warrant st. Paul's having
an electric plant of It's own.
In politics you have to recognize hui
man prejudices. To ride on the top wave
Of public opinion is called craftsmanship.
1t Is unwise to seek to accomplish any
thing ahead Of the demand of the times
or public opinion and prejudices. Public
sentiment is always necessary. What,
then, should be more proper than that
our young men should strive to mold
public sentiment Of any and every COM
munity in favor of good, right and just
laws? We have two elements in citizen
ship. The passive element vote this or
that ticket because their fathers did and
look to their ease, and are to degree In
different to matters of the greatest vital
interest to our land. The active ele-
ment is found chiefly among the young
men. They reason: This or that practice
or custom is right or wrong. strong
motive incites them to look up and for
ward to better things, and primarily to
elevate politics and elements of citizen
ship.
IF you want to bring about a reform of
the nations affairs or Of this city, go to
the young men. The old man has social
relations, is tied down with his family
and loves his ease, perhaps. His wife will
say: John. the earth was here long
time before you happened along and
there is no use of your fretting about
these matters The young man wants
the best for his country, and he will work
for it,
Gov. Lind here pointed out that some
of the greatest and best movements the
world had ever seen were made by young
men. The Reformation, that great pop
ular movement of the Teutonic races,
protesting against the authority and Gus
toms of the Latin races, was led by a
young man. He mentioned Patrick
Henry, Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison,
all as strong men in their youth.
Gov. Lind urged social activity in all
lines The gradual steps of humanity
through the ages had evolved from the
lower stages to the magnificent complex
civilization Of today The IoWly and
small beginnings had developed into the
wonderful present
Public spirit said the governor, as
not quite as strong as private enterprise.
Many people are very persistent in bet
tering their own condition and that of
their family, but do not think Of others.
What we want is cooperation in every
thing. The development Of the universe
is founded upon the word co-opera ton.
1.-The young man should begin to study,
and the old man continue to study. The
women are just as much interested in
this as their companions. Why should
they not be? They share with US our
joys and sorrows and live In our homes
Here the governor paid q tribute to the
women on the suffrage question. He was
not present to argue the question of
suffrage, he said, but if they wanted 1t
he thought they should have suffrage, or
anything they wanted. In Wyoming and
Idaho their influence had been an agency
to purify politics.
Studying politics was studying the art
Of administering laws and carrying on
the government. Politics did not mean
the putting up of jobs to carry caucasses,
but was far above that.
The governor asserted that the ballot
Of the young man carried just as much
weight that of the most influential
and substantial citizen in the community.
and urged with much fervor that it's in
fuence be made q power for good at the
polls.