The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-18
STUDY THE SIMPLE WORKINGS.

make some that is mighty real and good.
-.>s-
STUDY THE SIMPLE WORKINGS
1t is IN the application, not in the principle itself,
that the mystery of politics of government lies
No longer ago than two generations political prn-
cipes shrouded in some obscurity, elevated to
forum of thought and discussion somewhat above the
heads Of average men, being invested with far more
of the abstruse and metaphysical than now Great
constitutional questions remained to be settled politi-
CHILLY, and constitutional orators and statesmen, such
as Webster Calhoun Randolph and Hayne, occupied
the forum. Though some of the great problems with
which they wrested have never been solved and prob
ably never will be, they have been the less ef
fectively eliminated The American nation has ac
cepted fact, condition, in lieu of many theory;
an irrevocable tendency frequently in lieu of prn
cipe; experience instead of precept. Many of the
problems, however, were solved and many principles
were firmly established by these and earlier minds
Even those problems and principles which still remain
unsettled come to iumined by the same brilliant
thought. greatly smpfed and shorn Of the a6struse
and abstract Inevitable in the pations early expert
ence.
The political questions of to-day require very little
academic treatment We are a nation educated i'll
principles. But education in principles is something
different from instruction in practice 1t is in know
edge Of the application Of the power to the machinery
of government that we us public are deficient. y
Public opinion is the motive energy which the
entire system Of government. 1t is the force
sary to the application of principles to the building
and unfolding Of the Constitution and the making and
enforcing Of law. Odd as it may seem, public opinion
is not conscious of its power It's exercise is passive
rather than active and intelligent 1t operates through
the medium of class Of politicians, necessary
dium to be sure, but representation which oftener
directs than follows the dominant will. The system
of representation by which the public will" finds
expression perhaps as simple could be devised
to meet the purpose but 1t is one which, perhaps
owing to its very simplicity, occupies comparatively
little of the peoples attention and thought and the
politicians have done much to render it mysterious.
1t Is in keeping more or less hidden the processes
by which the people express their collective mind that
the opportunity of the politicians lies The margin of
mystery is the politicians leeway
What the public chiefly requires is that insight
into the practical working of the political system
which teach correct sense of public opinions
strength which teach that the peoples volition
can accomplish its ends along the line of established
principle Such an insight can alone awaken public
opinions confidence in its own power to secure gov
eminent In accordance with principle and with ideals
The present stage Of national development requires
no Madsons Monroes, Clays, Websters or Calhouns
The theoretical part Of the Americans political educ
ton has been sufficiently complete Great practical
leaders are required who win obey, who will lead for
the people openly and instructively; not great de-
baters but great practical educators American ideals
are fixed and principles Of free government are firmly
established.
Public opinion never errs in motive, and usually
may be depended upon to think Alright In word it Is
educated in ideal and trained in theory or in prn-
cipe This generations greatest opportunity for de-
veopment Of strength lies along the line of knowledge
Of the practical workings of the political or govern
mental system, which can render the people fully
competent to secure to themselves good government
by means Of that system. which secure to public
opinion full expression within the limitations of that
system which enable perfect application Of the
American principle OF government.