The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-11
eoop cIrIzENs ANp poLIrlcs.

In addressing the National convention of Christian
Endeavorers in session at Cincinnati on the subject
Of the duty of the Christian Endeayorer in municipal
politics MIR Samuel b. Capen has gone The Post one
better on the proposition that politics is The business
of a good citizen
In hisopnion the primary meeting should be as sa-
cred an appointment the place of prayer. The
Christian men of the community must he insists take
lively interest in every election and be willing to ac
cent office, If offered them at personal sacrifice
his notion to neglect exercise the right of fran
chse and to refuse to take part In party councils is the
equivalent of approving the abuses necessarily result
ing from the successes Of corrupt incapable office
seekers and their henchmen. Christian can not
he argues by remaining Indifferent to what is going on
in the political world escape responsibility for the
miscarriage of government their foremost duty as
units Of the body polite being to contribute by voice
vote and work to the triumph of the opponents of the
best in the construction of the administrative machin
cry provided for in the organic law.
This is but the application to people OF recognized
religious tendencies and prominence in Christian work
of what The Post holds with regard to the suf
fragan class. The negative of this proposition
has of late in this State, been assumed by certain
class of writer's and unfortunate erstShe thirsters
after political preferment who would have that pros
perty increases in community in the ratio that
interest in political matters decreases In majority
of the advocates of this theory have in the past
figured conspicuously in politics. but without reaching
hopes they once entertained of being chosen to man
the ship of state to shape the poncies of those
placed at the helm the sad recollection of repeated
defeat the bitter taste of rejected advice Natu.
rally, there is no longer any good politics for them
and II is within the domain OF the expected that they
should rail at those who decline abandon the study
OF public questions and supnely abandon the direction
of public affairs TO professional politicians
Politics is not necessarily inimca to business To
lose interest in politics is to from participation in
the management of public affairs and surrender the
right TO complain OF their msdreetion No rational
citizen finds IL necessary to quit ais field abandon his
counter or desert his office keep up with what is
going on In governmental matters II Is not essential
he should spend all his time a.straddle of EMMY
goods boxes at cross roads groceries or hang upon the
words of sonorous orators in town halls or at suburban
barbecues 10 acquire the information needed 10 eorn
him properly for the Intelligent exercise of the right of
franchise. The equipment can be acquired much more
Satisfactorily by udcious exercise of the facutv NJ
observation and by the devotion Of modicum of limo
the study of the characteristics Of those seeking ~
nee as we'll TO keeping tab on how we'll anteeecion
promises are fulfilled by successful slace hunters
Furthermore. the results Of governmental policies