The Elk Mountain pilot., 1899-10-17
The Relation Of Local Politics To
National Politics.

necessary connection between local
and national politics, and that it
does not in any manner concern
the nation whether one or the other
OF the great political parties is
entrusted with power in county
and city affairs.
If the republic is to be healthy
and self-sustaining organization it
is imperative that there be healthy
and active politics in every part of
it. 1t is a matter of common state
ment that national politics receive
too much attention, that presiden-
tial elections are unsettling to bust
ness, and that it would be a great
deal better if congress would only
convene once in five years. People
who adhere to this belief should
remove to some monarchial country
where the course of business or
events is not Interrupted by the
disturbing element of politics. But
in a free republic the preservation
of freedom and future of the nation
depend absolutely on popular in
terest in national affairs, and there
is no other factor which so enlivens
! that interest as does the strife be-
tween political organizations.
If the state of Colorado and our
county OF Gunnison are to have a
proper share in the national life
and are to do their proper parts
in determining the course of
national affairs they must needs
have political organizations in the
closest sympathy and harmony
with the great national political
parties. In Gunnison county we
differ in regard to matters of nation
al moment, and no matter what way
the inclination of the individual
/
opinion tends its holder may find
elsewhere in the country men who
coincide with his views and who
desire the same thing he does.
At the present time there exists
an especial need of close attention
to national politics and Il strength
ening OF the lines of political or
ganization. The Republican ad-
ministration is performing its work
under circumstances of difficulty
and especial stress. 1t has become
involved unavoidably in struggle
which is being fought thousands
of miles from our native heath,
Il struggle in which the national
honor is at stake and one from
which we cannot withdraw without
loss of infinite prestige and sacri-
fee of self-respect and the betrayal
of sacred trusts. True to its for
mer policy, the Democratic party,
as whole, is trying to use this
crises in the natural life for the
purpose of gaining narrow parti-
san advantage. 1t is doing every
thing it can to embarrass the ad-
ministration and to obstruct its
policies. To this end it is grossly
misrepresenting the facts, it is
slandering the intelligence of the
American people, it is giving its
moral support and assistance to
the men who are openly in arms
against the United States. There
are patriotic Democrats today as
there have always been, but they
are conspicuous exceptions to the
rule. The party and its leaders
are committed to the doctrine of
anti-imperialism which is made up
of equal parts of pretence and
treason. Already there is marked
popular reaction against the Demo-
cratic coalition with Aguinaldo.
Already the former members of the
Republican party, separated from
it on account of differences over
the financial question, are return
ing to it in large numbers, while
patriotic Democrats and independ-
ent voters are declaring that so long
as an armed foe threatens the
American flag they will loyalty