The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-13

public good brings a republic.
MONTESQUIEU.
To the Editor: Over the main entran :e
to the Congressional Library at Washing
ton is painting by Elihu Vedder en-
blematic of government. The central fig
ure is that OF Il woman in whose counte-
nance aud bearing are blended all the
firmness and gentleness OF vrtuCus wo-
manhood. She IS attended by two youths,
one carrying the sword of compulsion and
the other the bride and reins of res
trant. In her hand is tablet inscribed,
"a government of the people, for the
people. by the people, Here is portrayed
plainly as it is written in the Decal-
logue the Thou shalt" and the Thou
shalt not" the foundation of all govern
ment, and an epitome of its highest ard
best form, Democracy.
We have not yet, however, attained
the lofty ideal thus beautifully expressed
Our government of the people is not
yet thorough. We see vast bodies of men
lay down their weapons of industry, is,
more the law and demand and often Sc
cure what the government cannot, or at
least does not, give them. Again we see
great mobs gather and satisfy their ven
geance with blood and often with the
most horrible tortue, while the govern
ment stands powerleSs either to prevent
or punish. Strikes and lynchings have
almost received the sanction of custom.
Nor yet have we a government truly
"for the people," 1t cannot be denied
that particular classes and interests often
receive special consideration at the hands
of the lawmakers. and the appalling
amount of fraud and corruption practised
in public contracts tell too plainly what
slight regard is had for "the people,"
While we are not ready to agree with DR..
Johnson that patriotism is the last re-
fuge of a scoundrel, we are forced to
admit that an abnormally large percent
age of corrupt men have found their way
into the public service. The recent post
office scandals and exposures in st. Louis
are but conspicuous examples OF what
goes on continually to an alarming eX-
tent. In fact it may be safely said that
the percentage of dishonesty is far greater
in the public service than in any private
enterprise requiring the same degree OF
ability and integrity, whereas the very
reverse should be true. Since all these
public officials are either elected by the
people or are the appointees of those
so eiecCeQ, we are IOFCeQ 10 the COuClu-
sion either that the people are incapable
of properly selecting public servants, or
else that there is some defect in our
machinery of selection which results in
a failure to register the intelligence and
patriotism OF the people. Uuless demo
cracy be a delusion and a snare the lat.
ter conclusion is true and there must be
some remedy for the evil.
?
'by the people?" For until we DO in the
very nature of things, we can have
neither a government of the people" nor
"for the people," The great principles
of sef-government are essentially true,
but they are based upon the assumption
that there is more coed than evil in hui
mainly, and that the intelligence aud
wisdom and patriotism OF the people
will be accurately ascertaned and faith
fully executed. So long as this is not
done we do not have self-government,
but government by the few, and such
a government is always fraught with
great dangers although it be clothed with
the noble name of Democracy. That we
do not, in fact, have a government By
the people" meaning thereby those who
are invested with the elective franchise
is perfectly evident to those acquainted
with the manner of conducting elections
and party primaries. 1t is a well known
fact that in every community a few
people really control the situation, and
are usually able to nominate or elect
their friends and caryy out their po
litical plans. 1t is also we'll known that
these few leaders are not always the best
citizens and are often among the worst.
A large percentage of the best citizens
are either inert or take q half-hearted
desultory interest in political affairs
while large percentage OF the very worst
citizens take a decidedly active and ef-
fective interest. The busy man. who
needs all his time to provide the neces-
stiles or comforts of life, takes no part
or very little in politics; while the man
who has nothing else to do or has some
private interest to promote can and does
give unlimited time. A traffic IN votes
and influence is carried on with lament
able effect Thus it has come about that
the idle the venal and the vicious WELD
abnormally great power, and too often
choose our public servants and shape our
public policies. So true is this that our
very language bears witness to the fact
the word politician" has acquired an
unsavory meaning entirely unwarranted
by its etymology. This state of affairs
is due entirely to the fact that so many
of the wisest and best citizens fail to-
take the proper interest in the pubic
welfare. 1t is they who neglect their
plain civic duty and should be blamed,
and not those who are active-the ring
as they are usually called. Politics in
itself is not bad; it is not corrupting; il
is simply a fertile field which tnorns and
thistles will naturally occupy unless eX-
PEELED by honest husbandry.
For years this great apathy of indiffer-
ence on the part of the better classes has
been the cause of grave solictude among
thoughtful students of our institutions.
De Tocqueville mentioned it as the great
menace which we had to fear and SAID
it might beget either anarchy or despot-
ism. As this menace has grown constant
ly greater since his day. the means OF
averting it must continue to be the SUBJ
ject of serious discussion.
Mr.. Bryce, in his able work "The
American Commonwealth" Vol. II page