Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-07
TWELVE PAGES
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY Z. 1900.
PARTY GOVERNMENT.

Experience has shown us that under
any free and constitutional form Of
government, parties arc sure to arise
among the people, and contest for the
majority which awards the controlling
voice in affairs. AS parties are SO
natural and inevitable, If not indispen-
sable. in any government of the people.
by the people. it may be assumed that
they are good and useful, as long as
they are Intelligent and PATRIOTIC
qualities that also imply honesty and
efficiency in the public trusts. whether
civil or political.
But. in course of time, party govern
ment, or It's immediate managers, de-
velop many and monstrous abuses,
that cry aloud for punishment and
remedy. The Democrats remember
Tweed in New York, before the war;
they remember that Tammany and
Croker are there, now; while Quay in
Pennsylvania. with n municipal control
in Philadelphia begotten by the same
Republican ogre and his breed, re-
mind the dominant party Of the coun-
try that it is not immaculate in its
councils. legislatures, or Congresses, IL
any department of any of its admin
istrations, high or low, will bear the
light and scrutiny Of right and truth
Even in Virginia. Caesars wife s,not
above suspicion Everywhere, III fact,
we know that party is the source, on
SiIa or ~ nt1, Of I,n
fligate evil influences and iii deeds.
though we may not be able to trace
them directly and plainly TO the guilty
means and persons; yet. for all that.
like the Little Old Man OF the Sea, The
monster is on our shoulders, and can
not be thrown off Nor are we sure
we can do without him.
If the majority must rule, or appear
to do so, what other available me thod
except by parties and their organized
operations, is there to secure either the
reality, or the appearance? And are we
quite sure in any case that our gov
eminent Is not of and by the people
by the majority? That 1t is glaringly
best interests of the people, is no proof
ITO the contrary. for there are not lack
ing the most positive demonstrations
that government of the people by the
people, is not always for the people:
while some insist that it may be of, by
and for the people. in sense, and yet
against the general welfare, IL not in
(, the line of wrong and disaster for the
people themselves. There are no few
people-and we do not mean the social
istic. communistic, nor proletarian rnb-
BILE either-who really desire great dis
asters and wrongs TO occur, because
they have a constant faith in their
ability to master just such situations TO
their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or glory
whatever may betide othcrs,-al though
they are usually mistaken.
6 Men are easily deluded and per-
suaded along the line of least resist
ance-where their interests and asso-
s Citations coincide With wealth, power
and party-or they are led to believe
at least, that such is the case; or that
some Immediate good will be attained,
pr some evil averted. or postponed: and
when the press which men read, or the
orators and advisers whom. they hear,
din this or that continually into their
ears. they cease to reason and accept
the hum in their heads, or on the
streets, as the voice of conviction and
truth; and in this hypnotized, or dazed
condition of mind and feeling are quite
ready for any folly. from lynching any
innocent man to self-slaughter. Men.
too, are quite capable. Of cutting off
their noses to spite their facesi and