Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-09-01
WHY BE Is a DEMOCRAT.

either real or imaginary.
Coming events also have their ad
vancing shadows which afford US ample
grounds for representation Of the sci
ence of politics.
Mankind has always maintained a
perpetual fight for the principles, as to
the bettering of his political condition.
In his early nomadic condition, under
the clan government rule, where evil
dently there was more of an affinity be-
tween the government and class rule,
be was better satisfied with his condi-
ton. However, in the early epochs of
mans history we find that as he is ad-
vanced in knowledge and opulence. his
tendency was to form stronger
governments. Till within few epochs
of the beginning of the Christian era,
and upon the ruins of the ancient dyn-
asties supported by militaryism a
brighter political destiny seemed await
ing mankind. The advent of the
Roman Empire apparently seemed to
be the dawn Of new civilization far
in advance of the past. Even while in
her chaotic state, boiling over with
militaryism there seemed to be rep
resentative spirit between the ruling
classes and the ruled; till, eliminating
into Republic; and it is now to this
day, that the student of political his
tory refers to the palmy days of his
toric Rome.
| AS Republic Rome enjoyed long
season of prosperity. There seemed
to be purity of purpose in her legis-
lation that acted as immunity against
the encroachments of the barbarian
and vandal. Even under the highest
tension of galantry and honor. when all
were the bravest of the brave. A lady
love brooked, had her ready avenger.
No insults went unpunished. National
prosperity seemed general and in
accord with the citizenship either hig gh
or low.
This was an epoch when what is
now known as the Roman Empire. was
indeed Republic. No gra d er
title could be given a person, than to
be known as Roman citizen.
How long this history continued is
only as great desire for gain and
prominence seized Roman citizenship |
There soon came a time when distin |
gushing lines marked Roman citizen |
ship. 1t was all either one way or the |
other-two classes of Roman citizens
soon appeared: one in extreme opu-
lence, the other in lines of want. A |
condition apparently paralIelingthat of
the great American Republic.
Sad it is to go over the fall of the
Roman Empire, as far as greatness is
concerned. But with equal emphasis |
is noticed the elements of national dis
;nk Nf
the great ancient Roman Republic. |
First came the struggle of the masses
against the classes; of probably few
epochs-saY century or two. After
the thorough ripening up of conditions
the spirit of militaryism set in; cabals, |
seditions, rebellions and partitions,
became the order of the day, when,
for the closing scenes for the grandest
Empire and Republic of any age up to
that time, fell a leeching. devouring
prey to the barbarian and vandal of |
the north.
We of this day can only go into a
mere synopsis of the political doings of
the ancient nations. Apparently it is
useless even to refer as citation, that
there may be political breakers ahead. |
AS it is with the individual, so it is with |
the generations; filled to an overflow
| ing with selfshnesS. We have looked |
the epochs of time over; the rising and |
falling of the nations, since the no. |
madic condition of man, once having |
formed part of the greatest nation of
modern times; rebelled and formed an
armed contention for seven years, hav.
| ing gained consent of the mother coun- |
| try, something like a wayward child
over his parents, we found ourselves in
something like the same Strengthened
conditions, For after the close of our
| Revolutionary war. We had several
years of thinking to do. We of this
day may put whatever construction
Individually that best pleases US. But
to me it appears as a season of great
suspense. A pause. politically speak
ing, taken at the proper time, by the
patriotic few; that in their great sa-
gacity and wisdom were to usher into
existence New Nation.
A new kind of government was given
to US by our Revolutionary fathers.
They called it Republican Govern.
ment, and nationally speaking Repub-
lie, meaning a representative or peo-
ple's government. We were not OF
course at their deliberations. and do
not have any idea as to how much OF
the old ancient Republic of Rome or
the Kingdom and Empire of Great
Britain's views of government might
have been chosen; but from the rever-
ance and faith we have had for our old
lpatriotlc forefathers, we believe they
chose the best.
Thus we were launched off amongst
the nations of the earth for veal or
woe. AS politics is the science of
Governments, it is not any query why
even from the earliest day, we should