The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-05-27
S~YCOPHANCY.

The best editorial that has appeared in an American newspaper this year
was printed in a recent issue of he Memphis Commercial Appeal a few lays ago
A recent magazine writer made the charge that Americans were all rshipp
of royalty, anl that when they got a chance they were as great sycophants as
those o live near a throne. Is this Indictment true? We think not, bt there
is enough of sycophancy to lend coor to the charge. Oh late years, particularly
in North Carolina, there has grown up a school of mugwumpian EGGPLANT
who have fits whenever a man in public office is criticized with plann@s of
they are wont to denounce as disurbers OF the peace men nc hod VI
the wrong actions of public servants to just public condemnation
the people, they would hedge them in n attribute to them the absurd divine
|nght which the German Emperor openly proclaimed. To III such VI commend
the following uttrance from the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Ar W e becoming nation sycophants? Are We becoming worshppers OF
place and wealth? Have we fallen SO far that We consider it proper to pros
rae ourselves before those wo hold place or possess wealth? these are qWs-
ton which may we'll engage our attention in view of certain tendencies appar
emit in American life We are told 70. instance that tit is our duty to be solemnly
respectful and everentEl to IN one h happens to be President of h United
States, because it is a great office M is but right that e should salaam to the
office, even if he man occupying it is knave or a fool This gospel may do
very we'll for a generate or decadent people, but it ought to be repudated in d
democracy. If W should accept it we would place ourselves upon a par with
that people whose king sent hisb boots to govern his rhame during his alb
|sence. The theory will lot bear the test of vesigatio An office, to begin
with. is IN distraction, which is 10 more entitled to the worship of nan thar
time or motion, he sun, the moon or he equator If a ruler We're diWnely ap-
pointed, IS W as the doctrne in the middle ages, he would probably be entitled
to our reverence on thata account, but wei no that the Deity has nothing to do
with the selection of kings and princes and presidents. he Lord does not pre-
in The hands of the politicians A man ike Washington, or Jefferson or Lin
coin is entitled in the presidential office to the respect of the people not by
treason of the office, but because through hsp personal qualities OF achievements
he has earned this highest honor in the gift of the people. But no matter 10Y
great may be the virtuesa INC the talents of a President if he makes mistakes
in his office, those mistakes are fiji material for criticism. Therei 10 reason
why he should be spared for his olies.
Roosevelt became president not because OF his merits or virtues. but by a
nagca accident The office of vce-pr@ident is in our day a log step towards
oblivion When a ian is elected vice president he is heard of no more, unless
the President should die or be assassinated. Mr. Roosevelt was chosen with
great enthusiasm by the people to i'll this vacuum. His accesiont to the presi-
dency did not make him sacred AS President he is entitled to a measur Of re-
spect corresponding With his official deeds. If h e says one thing and does
another, if he poses a. a stalwar nc atsh like a weaklng, n if he goes out
do IN nan an injustice he is entitled to our contempt were he ten times the
president of the Unite States"