The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-03-22

funds through appropriations, for the carrying on of those projects
that are to result, as we trust, in conditions favorable to our happi-
ness and prosperity as a nation.
Have we not a right, then, to expect our leaders to be men OF
probIty and to be honest in their dealings with us? DECEPTION,
FRAUD, S~UBTERFUGES, ARE A BETRAYAL OF THE PUB
Lie TRUST. CHEATING. C~HICANERY, DEFEAT THE Pop
L WILL. Baseness and all questionable measures or unseem-
y devices are subversive of public order. Every action that is not
sanctioned by the principle Of honor, tends to make politics a mere
machine which has come to work untold evil in our political insttu-
IONS and to give to our public affairs a direction by no means apt
70 secure Tor us the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit Of happi-
ness.
The political organization is a necessity. Every man recognizes
that banding together is legitimate factor in the prosecution Of aims
ana purposes. In union there is strength" But then the operations
OF that organization are not exempt from the spirit and qualities
which must govern men indvidua1y-the sprt of honor, honesty,
lar play How worthy of commentator and universal practice: 81
had rather be right than be president"
Honorable men are also truthful men. They will not ADOPT
what IaIeyrand has been credited with saying: Speech was in
vented to conceal thought WORDS SHOULD BE EXPIRES
SlVE OF INWARD IDEAS. INTERCOURSE WITH ONE N
OTHER IS FOUNDED ON THE ASSURANCE THAT A
MANS WORD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS. A mans word should
be as good as his bond. If the bond is known to be worthless. fnan-
Gal transactions lose a support and enterprises fail. II a mans word
cannot be relied upon, if a suspicion be true of some lying and de-
cit hid IN that word, the man of whom such is noised abroad loses
caste and loses companions and friends.
How should the politician, whose word, because inshncere and
untruthtul, cannot pass muster, hope either to be successful in his
management OF affairs of state or municipality, or be Instrumental
in lettering the conditions Of his fellow citizens? There should be
no room to suspect him of hypocrisy or double dealing. Let him
speak the truth. LET HIM NOT GIVE G~ROUNDLESS ASSUR-l
ANSEo. LIZ Him MI DELUDE HIS CONSTITUENTS orr
LEAVE THEM UNDER FALSE IMPRESSIONS. WHEN HEl
SPEAKS, LET 1T BE AFTER NATURE DELIBERATION.I
WHEN HE MISE LET IT BE ONLY AFTER HE HASi
SEEN REALIZATION.
Then some stability will be given to intercourse with our public
men, some reliance will be placed on their uHerances to the mani
lest purity OF our political methods, the prosperity of our institu-
tons and glory of our political parties. Otherwise, politics will be
worse than a game of chance, they will continue to be a mere lingo
ism" productive of disastrous confusion.
When collected the funds should be iealously guarded and eco.
honicaNy expended. Extravaganza should be avoided and above all
no effort made to divert those moneys into private channels. The
politician IS ONLY THE TRUSTEE, THE MONEY IS THE
PEOPLES. And account should be rendered to them Of the same
This is nothing more than strict justice demands from individuals with
one another and it has not less strong application in reference to the
body polite.