The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-10
"REMINISCENCES IN MISSOURI.

IN MlSSOohi.
Picayunishness Is not a maady generally through
out the State but it severely aiicts certain classes of
politicians. \
The most common mistake of politicians of late
has been failure to perceive the quality and size CT
public opinion Missouri during the year past has
developed public opinion which brooks no littleness
in political AFFAIRS 1t is of quality to which some
politicians are unaccusomed. There have been times
in the history of this State as of many another when
personal purity was not public question.
The people We're not posted about all of their
servants and had 10 means Of getting proof To-day
there is public initiative and big issue; public
mind enlightened by testimony under oath. What
the weaker politicians apparently cannot comprehend
is that this public opinion is sensitive it is pow
erful. 1t is an easy thing to anger such mind. 1t
Is difficult for some men not to offend
There are old-style politicians and manipulators
who, through long and undisputed supremacy IN
limited spheres, have been led to hold themselves
above the people In ordinary times the asserted
pericry has not been noted especially considered
Objectionable. The people hare acquiesced in the
politicians opinions of themselves. And the people
are half to blame for the fact that of their
heroes to-day heroicomic
Until recently there have been some barnacle poll
ticans who wrapped in their traditional al-sutfcien-
cy and political omnscence believed that political
atmosphere existed without their own sphere.
In solemn session with their cronles their feet at
comfortable elevation they vented lubrications and
circumvented. or imagined they did the universe,
at least much of 1t lay within the confines Of
Missouri. Therein they were about as much mis-
taken as would be the microscopic deniZens of drop
of oil in supposng that creation began and ended
with them. In a word the fxers mistaken.
It's mistake to suppose that Missouri will tOler-
ate sneer at the Doodle prosecutions and mistake,
of the very narrowest Sort to that politicians
Of little calber or big, divert modify the Mis-
souri, mind.
Every statesman or politician citizen of whatso-
ever caliber has right to aspire to public Office. And
this fact the people do and Of right ought recog
nze. But the people have perfect right to demand
that candidacy proceed along the lines Of the great
issue. Assuredly the people do demand it. They
are quick to note and to the small impudence
which sets itself up against the tide of public senti
ment. Public sentiment is not always right. When
1t is not. he is genuine hero who braves it in the
of truth But sentiment right in the present
instance 1t is the powerful morality behind the
Doodle issue which gives 1t strength and fxity.I
The man who decries belittles or opposes the
Missouri motive will be brought to quick realiza-
ton of his nsgnifcance There is special reason
for condemnng him-he cannot seriously affect 80
powerful tide. He is pigmy facing giant right
eousness. His offense is but momentary and he is
less sinner than fool. Picayunishness carries its own
penalty.