The sun., 1900-12-20

ment perverted and misapplied were not |
to be discussed, much less were they to
be deplored and remedied. One of our
earliest memories of public men is of an
exhibition of this hero-worsnip which |
thrilled us then, but has since assumed |
a humorous phase, provocative Of laugh |
ter whenever it is recalled. Upon the |
day that John M. Clayton died, an even
ing entertainment was given in the Odd
Fellows Hall, at Third and King streets,
and during the entertainment, near its
close, young man rushed dramatically
upon the stage to pronounce eulogy
upon the deceased and announce his
death. The substance of the speach has
been forgotten except that at the end,
the speaker with arms uplifted, an ex-
preston Of inconsolable sorrow on his
face and an air of irreparable loss per-
vading his figure, exclaimed: "John M.
Clayton is dead! John M. Clayton is
dead!. John M. Clayton is dead!!"
A funeral quiet had fallen over the house
and we remember that there was, in the
awakening which followed the orators
peroration, a doubt whether we should
weep over the States loss, or applaud
the orators effort.
| 1t is to stuff like that preached into
that has caused the lamentable decad-
ence of the civic spirit which every in
telligent Delawarean must appreciate
and regret. With the worship of these
heroes has come an unquestioned ac-
ceptance Of their opinions and teachings,
of their political and governmental me-
thods-a cultivation of the habit of en-
durance of present ills rather than risk
a revolt against a knowledged wrong.
They We're great men in their day. We
cordially credit them with patriotic
desire to do for the State, and as their
representatives, the greatest and best
thing thing they could conceive. Nc
greater eulogy can be pronounced upon
any man than that. 1t is true, however
that time has changed the verdict Of
approval with which their contemper
aries greeted the achievement of these
has not only proved that their judgment
was fallible in regard to the affairs OF
their own day, but vastly wrong in theii
estimate of the future. Just now in the
constellation of the Hay-Pauncefott
treaty and the effort to provide for the
building of an isthmean water way from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, the famous
Clayton and Bulwer treaty is being dis
: cussed, and its history and what it ha'
effected, are being thoroughly ventilated
As consequence the chief achievement
of Delaware's great whig hero is dwindl
ing, if not in Importance at least il
virture. The presnt judgement and le
us say the judgement of the past begin
D ming shortly after its conclusion, is tina
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty did no
$ accomplish its purpose, but has been
preventing hinderance to that achieve
: ment.
The moral to be drawn from all thi
S is, as we Think necessary breakin
: away from this hero worship, the dis
d carding Of traditions and earnest mutua
II efforts of all good citizens for restora
y ton of the good name and glory of til
/ State, in the use of available materil
u and along lines Of approved modern pre-
n cedure, The duty and opportunity to d
e this has come to the Republican party
d 1t will demand all the wisdom and a
n che patriotic earnestness possible in til
Is coming legislature to wisely conceiv
r and successfully execute the legislativ
IT work needed. The Republican represei
q. tatives cannot afford to fail in this b,
4 cause of divided counsels If they Al
l. wise, if they are truely patriotic, til
< ittlenesses of politics-the prejudices
10 faction and hates of class and caste
1t will be put aside. Instead of huntir
for and finding causes for disagreement
'f they will find reasons for agreement
IF upon this depends the success of I'll
Il Republican party i'll this day of il
1t trial. Fighting Democrats for possessio
N Of the State government is one thin
1f Successful legislation, and administri
b. ton of State affairs is quite anothe
I'd The Republicans must agree,