The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-03-06
OUR CONGRESSIONAL NEEDS.

OUR CONGRESSIONAL NEEDS.
New Sharon Star. Our congress
ional needs, like those of any other
district, are not necess arily bound by
the limitations of the ambitions of
any one individual aspirant for the
honor of representing 1t in the CAPT.
tai halls of the nation, excepting in
that one man may, better than an
other, conserve those interests.
There is no dearth of congressional
timber in this district. There is not
county of the seven but could pre-
sent a "favorite son" around whom
the whole district would Loyalty rally
and follow to victory. Davis has her
ex senator Carroll, man of fine
presence and fine ability; Wapello
her splendid Waterman; Keokuk her
sturdy aud incisive "Jack" Morrison;
Poweshiek the gallant Captain Carr;
Jasper her senator Maytag who glor-
iously led in her redemption last fall; ;
Monroe is justly proud of her Repre-.
sentative Kendall who leads whenev-
er he runs, and last without being
least, Mahaska is the home of Lacey,
who has long and faithfully represen-
ted this district, who snatched it as
"a brand from the burning" when
Weaver was ruling the roost and
every crazy ism known to the dizzy
whirl of fool politics was holding iub-
ilating carnival in the camp Of the
political upgodly. Saluting all of
these distinguished gentlemen and
standing ready to serve any republi-
can who receives convention en-
dorsement, we come now to remark
that in the congressional contest of
1902 the man that ought to be chosec
is the man that can now best serve
the district, state and nation. The
situation should be considered on
solely a practical business basis.
Theorizing in politics is not more
profitsb BILE than in business, and a
wrong theory in either may easily
prove disastrous, as any theory that
is not practical is worse til an useless.
This is not situation to be disposed
OF as a matter of personal favoritism,
likes or dislikes. We want the best
results and if we do not strive for
that and along the pathway of wis
dom we will neither deserve nor re-
ceive anything more valuable than
failure.
AS nation we have moved for
ward with tremendous strides during
the recent past, are now in the open
battle arena of world powers where
only giants may compete for mastery.
Ours is no longer country splendid
in its isolation. Our diplomacy, our
legislation, our executive enforce
ment must touch vastly more than
visible interests bounded by United
States territory, must reach all lands
and embrace all seas. In every port
where the white flag of commerce is
lifted there the Stars and Stripes
must be seen. In point of national
commercial interests the world is our
legitimate sphere of action and there
in we must reap success or merit fail
ure. We are demanding and expect
ing success and to this end the best
brain, thought aud skill of the nation
stands at premium. 1t Is the ex-
perienced statesman as we'll as sol.
dier that knows how, when and where
to strike that victory may be won.
Experience is worth something. A
skilled diplomat fears no novice. Pa
triotism and zeal unaided by expert
ence are no match for the trained
and skilled statesman in the halls of
congress, in the arena of debate.
Th ere never was time In the history
of this country when there was so
much important legislation demanded
as at this moment. Who would doubt
for a moment that it is wisdom to
meet tnis demand with the best train
ed, best fitted, most capable men we
have? Certainly nonei
We add in conclusion, that with all
due respect to the citizens of every
other county in this district, We be-
lieve Hon. John F. Lacey ought to be
and will be re-nominated, not as q
matter of individual favoritism, but
squarely upon the. broad, strong,
sound, sensible business basis that
he would prove to be the most effici-
emit representative we can secure,
and we entertain no doubt but that
this win be the deliberate Judgment
of the nominating convention.