The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-06-11
The Thinkers.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNED.

1bS64L. WISE I0du0ES are
to carry out all great purposes. A
century of noble leadership has
changed the Prussia of Napoleon's
day to the United Germany of to-day.
Two or three men have made over
again the map of Italy. Renan we'll
says that "all civilization is the work
of a~ristOcracy." Great leaders are
needed in a republic to serve as a
point of concentration for the will
of the people. The majority of
opinions will be taken at second hand
and sound opinions must be Furnished
for this purpose. Political parties
are essential to popular government,
but party leaders should be men of
integrity and intelligence. With the
last generation there has been an I'M
fortunate development in our system
of party government. Machines con-
troll political movement and destroy
all vital issues. Even business inter
ests must be regulated by party
machinery and judges must speak
party DEGREES. Representative gov
eminent will be overthrown by its
own children unless this tendency
can be thwarted. Is is a hopeful
sign that these evils are being dis
oussed. The press is a power o
good in this warfare and, except in
the storm of a political campaign,
American newspapers T disposed
to throw their influence on the side
of truth and right. There is a work
to be done here by the schools and
universities of our land. They should
give instruction in general principles
of government, foster independence
in action, and cultivate a spirit of
patriotism that rises above party.
The independent voter holds an i'm
portant place in a democratic govern
ment. This vote must come from
the educated classes and must be
used to threaten the supremacy of a
corrupt party. An independent vote
is especially needed where one pOliti-
cal party is overwhelmingly in con-
troll. In such communities there is
no opportunity for free discussion,
no attritiOn of opposing principles,
no stimulus to the reigning party to
select the best possible candidates.
Such a vote is now needed IN the
South where the political freedom of
a gentleman has meant freedom only
to do the dictates of one political
party. Independent Republicans +
needed in the East and independent
Democrats in the South.
Another important task is the edu-
cation for citizenship of the mass of
voters on whom the ultimate pOliti
cal power rests. Issues of the utmost
Importance hang on U elections.
With this increase of responsibility
there is also a steady development of
laws for the protection of the in
dividual voter. The power of the
humbIest citizen cannot be taken
from him by force or fraud. The
strength of the people is growing and
that strength must be controlled by
Intelligence and virtue.
Little time is left for the discus
sion Of the best means of accomplish
ing this task, but there is a work
here for every instrumentality. The
press must spread the truth with
favor to no class and no party. The
Church must preach a Gospel of love,
manifested in deeds of kindness and
Justice. Universities must teach the
mutual dependence and common in
terests of labor and capital, proclaim
ne the law of love and human
brotherhood. University settlements
must illustrate the teaching Of
--oughtful men and show to those
10 the humble walks of life that, not
by legislation, not by violence, but
r industry, economy, fidelity, $
-.atv ana Intelligence, the greatest
.a-sonal good can be achieved.
.DitaI must recognize its Obliga-
ms to the working man and that
obligation is not discharged IN
Ill by the payment of agreed wages.
common schools must provide
-~aucation universal and practical.
ruction must be furnished for
$ ethical nature and it must not
.rgotten that habits of virtue are
lore value than all education be-