The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-04
JAMES W. GIRVIN
ON REPUBLlCANlSM
He Takes High Ground as to the
Duty of Party
Men.

Editor Advertiser:-If any man does not
know why he is a republican. he is a
very Indifferent party man. There are
| many men who are members of churches,
lodges, societies and parties for what
they can get out of them. and who do
not care to study the beliefs and prac-
tices of those bodies. These represent
the seIfshness of humanity, and while
using such bodies as stepping stones to
their personal benefit are merely the
dross of society. In metallurgy the
dross as compared to the pure metal
in quantity is expected but small
per centage Is the human dross also a
small percentage?
Men are republicans or democrats for
various reasons, principally because their
fathers were so, and their fathers were
so largely on account of locality of resi-
dence.
Many are republicans for the reason
that they respect the social standing of
outspoken members of that party. Others
from the belief that so much of the pOlit-
icaI and commercial prosperity of the
country has been obtained through the
The simon pure republican is for the
reason that he knows the history of the
party and that Of its contemporaries, and
understands the principles of the party.
He knows its fearlessness in grasping
theory and carrying it out on lines which
warrant it's success. He knows the prin-
ciples of the party are not of a negative
sort. and that it is not the don't" party.
When the republican party first began
its struggle ii was done In the face Of
much opposition, and that too from men
who believed in its principles, but Were
10th to abandon the party with which
they had long been affiliated. There were
giants in those days, who were always
ready to debate the questions at issue,
and who converted men by Wholesale.
1t was an uphill fight, but perseverance |
in contending for the right and boldly |
exposing the wrong won the day.
There are heroes in politics as well as |
in other walks The members of the |
party who steadily vote the |
ticket of their choice, knowing well the |
futility of such voting, but looking for |
ward to the time when the tenets of their |
party will be appreciated. are worthy of |
\ long retention of the colors was not |
sufficient to make their. stay permanent |
with the republican party. and the cor
ruption and nepotism which crept in |
caused the majority of the people to pun
sh the party by RELOCATING il for a time
to the backwOods.
If the republican party would main
tain its position and opportunity of con-
Quoting a policy for the nation ii will be
largely aided by the esteem in which its
elected or appointed officers are held by
The people.
All know that the platforms as set out
BY the leaders of the different parties at
lines so clearly approach each other that
With the antiOnS off - 81 |
most impossible TO determine from which
party they had emanated. At times when |
great questions are involved, as pro
ecuve tariff VS.. free trade" or money
If intrinsic value" VS.. promise to pay
tic, etc, the lines are distinctly drawn
That 1t is essential that partyism be
the most erudite will admit
/ is only by friction that hardest metals
md gems are polished. The old adage.
TO the victors belong the spoils" should !
he carried out, and the victorious party
should hold all the offices. that the sue
'ess or failure of the policy can be de-
ermined is generally admitted When |
men become so purblind as to feel that |
he acme of a victorious campaign is the
'apture of the offices their souls have in |
iced shrunken 10 such infinitesimal pro- |
portions that a microscope would be use
ess to search for them. The policy of |
he party is forgotten. the man is no |
- i'0A'- Aii"i S@NSSpt IL tndJ uS-
grading sense with which we look on the |
word politician"
Any party which would knowingly nut
BAD men or incompetent men into office !
should be abandoned by the people. As
% the appointees TO office the appointing
1oWer should respect the advice of the
central or executive committee of the
ocaI branch of the party. This being
admitted, it is extremely essential thar
sucn central or executive committee
should be selected with more than super
iclal perspicacity. Its members should
never allow themselves to be approached
~ solicitors for appointment. and all
'uch applications should first be present
20 to the committee as a whole Before
any recommendations should emanate
rom such a body great care sbould ba
lsed In deciding on the fitness of the one
% be recommended for the office as well
IS mis- standing in the estnorn ~ IL. |