The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-22
PRINCIPLE OF PARTY IS RIGHT.


Mayor Samuel NJ. Jones Of Toledo declares that the
nonpartsan in politics bears the relation to the
political world that the nonresistant bears to the world
OF warfare Jones insists that the Independent is a
theother sort of fellow, whose meek pres
ence signifies the beginning of that glorious mlen-
mum when there shall be peace on earth and good
will toward men," He heaps Goals Of fire, saying
that the resfstans the fighters unconsciousy are the
advocates Of eternal warfare likewise eternal party
conflict which, ne thinks implies eternal rottenness
in politics.
He might omit that word "unconsciousy." Sane
thinkers this point perfectly conscious that
their honest acts in aliating themselves with this or
that party, in subscribing this that principle
cause, mean fight and fight until death remove them
to other spheres of activity That sacred embodiment
Of Utopia, Peace op earth and good will toward
men," even as language is not fully adequate, only
in part expresses TRUTH or desirable state Of affairs
or the meaning Of the Gospel Literal peace on earth
Is impossible while men life in any form are on
this globe, though in our battles we can fight with
all our strength and yet maintain good Will toward
men, including the enemy. Scientists tell US that
primitive life exists in every stone-tte beasties v-
ing regular tornado exstence-consequenty when
fight is abolished matter viii have ceased to exist.
1t may seem that such declarations are soulless
and heartless Bashi-Bazouk in character, plea for
the perpetuation of rule by fire and sword. Not at
all. The point made is that there are degrees in
fighting that the true test is the goal the justice and
elevation of the motive, the casus beli.
Mayor Jones, "unconsciously," it appears Is n
fighter. Instance this from his biography of his non
resistant self:
"Heart-sick, often almost heart-broken, with the
depravity of partisan politics. bolted the convention
that by outrageous methods common to party ergani
cation, defeated my nomination and became an indes
pendent candidate"
Jones started a row Of no small proportions In To-
ledo when he bolted that convention and he is still
scrapping. So far he aimed at overcoming ''out-
rageous methods" and "depravity' he did exactly
right and aligned himself with men who to-day are the
countrys foremost fighters But he oyersteps the
mark in not localizng his charges Of depravity and
outrageous methods.
1t is because Joseph W. Folk struck at depravity
where it cropped forth in ST. Louis and Missouri that
he is the most prominent political figure in the State
Circuit Attorney Folk, Mayor Wells, minor officials
here, State Attorney Deneen Of Chicago. Attorney
Jerome Of New York, various newspapers, including
The Republic in their respective spheres fighters
fighters within their party fighters determined and
fighters who do not intend to quit until they have sue
ceeded in their aim, which is the elimination Of
ruption and venality in the politics of both great and
all parties And frankly facing the situation that
lists. these men and newspapers would not be worth
twopenny unless they were fighters
sort of paresis seems to affict 'reformers,
who though moved by the right spirit rush to an
IRENE and stand independent" pedestal of self
righteousness party stands for something more
than Offices and that something is well worth mans
best endeavor and cannot be achieved save by COM
pact organization. II man cannot subscribe to party
principles, then he should be Independent, and be
honored such, but has license to arragn head.
body and root Of the two dominating parties. The
problem to-day is to elevate not to destroy, the ma
chine.
That the principle Of fight is wrong cannot be DEM
onstrated. That the principle Of party is wrong is
equally unprovable. That Mayor Jones is good man
with lightweight ideas is susceptible Of settlement in
the affirmative.