Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1902-08-14
W. D. HOARD, POLITICAL
PHILOSOPHER

of editorials on the polltlcal situa-
ton, and questions agitating the
people of Wisconsin. These editor
ials are so full of political truth, wis
dom and good advice that we ex-
cerp literally from them, as the best
we can offer Tribune readers on the
subject:
STIRRING UP PUKiFIEs POLITICS.
There is much stirring up OF poll
tics in Wisconsin. 1t is good thing
THE more the plain people are
made to think and study on political
questions, the surer are we to have
good results in government Poll
tics is the first step, government the
next and last step. Whatever puri-
fies politics purifies government. Cor
rupt a party and the government Is
corrupted. Agitation and thought
are purifying agents Of both. Unless
we look out, the basic principles OF
party conduct are lost sight OF ana
matters degenerate into mere par
tizan contention for place and pow
err. So we say it is IA good thing for
the republican party and the com
monwealth that the people are stir
ed up on politics.
AMIA REPUBLICAN?
General Winkler, one OF the splen-
did veterans of the republican party
of Wisconsin. writes to General Bry-
ant, another grand old republican
veteran, to know if he can call him
self republican. General Bryant,
who is chairman of the republican
state committee, writes back in all
seriousness, to tell General Winkler
what he thinks about it. All this
correspondence and conflict of thot
because of some minor differences
of opinion at the state convention.
Bless both their brave old hearts,
why all this inquiry and answer?
Every man settles his political af-
filiation for himself, the same as he
does his religion.
The central idea of true republic
canism is patriotism, devotion to the
best interests of state and nation.
That is the touch stone.
The questions for every man to ask
of himself when he would know his
political status, are these:
Am patriotic in my political pur-
poses?
Am republican or democrat be-
cause believe that the central pur-
pose and drift of the party is towards
the best interests Of the people?
Is the bond of my attachment u
selfish one or patriotic one?
That's the chit of the whole bust
ness with honest patriotic men. MOI
man on earth has a right To say
whether General Winkler or any
other man is republican or not, and
General Winkler shonld not ask.
The road can only be marked by
each individual for himself, with
patriotism as the sole guide and
judge,
No citizen should go along, year
after, in blind adherence to this par
ty or that, merely because he has
fallen into the habit of being IA dem
ocrat or republican.
The republican party has stood
like rock these many years, in de-
Tense of the flag and the Union; in
defense of the industrial interests of
the people.
Now it has aroused itself to bring
about certain reforms in taxation
and caucus methods in Wisconsin.
The first relates TO the promotion of
justice in bearing the burdens of the
state; the second relates to the pro-
motion of honesty and fairness i'll
party conduct,
All good patriotic citizens agree
chat these two abuses should be cor
rected by bettersystem of law. The
republican party of the state, under
the leadership of Governor LaFoll-
cite, has set itself resolutoly to work
to these ends.
When it comes to the way it shall
be done we disagree. That is right
aud wholesome.
There is no way TO settle such diff
ferences of opinion but by the ma
jority. The majority must rule. So
it has aud 50 it will.
Ne man can question the central
patriotism of these two great re-
forms. No man should question his
or auother's ropubiicauism rs long
as he believes that the right should
prevail even il he disagrees as to the
way il should be done.
Let Us never hold little thing 80
close e. our eye that we cannot see
larger and more important things
behind Il.
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.
1t is unfortunate that the Republi-