The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-18
THE TWO ESSENTIALS.

In his noble address before the Com
mercial club, of Chicago, Mr.. Cleveland
has presented anew the simple essen
tials of true Americanism. These are
principally two. First, all men should
interest themselves in public affairs,
and politics should become the bust
ness not Of the few but Of the many.
Second, the degradation Of the cleo
torate in this country through public
corruption should be unsparingly de-
nounced, and it's correction should be
the first object of every patriot and
every worthy party leader.
Simple as these two ideas are, they
are generally today either unperceived
or ignored. The governing of people
is not, as Mr.. Cleveland remarks,
matter to be achieved by eloquent ref
ereneess to the American eagle. 1t is
conditional upon what alone brings
success in any other undertaking;
namely, the intelligent and agreed CO.
operation of all those engaged in it.
Nos man could succeed in his business
if he entered his counting room once
only each year and left to his subor-
dinates the entire conduct of his bust
ness without so much as his supervf-
sion or advice. That is the way the
American people try to run their poll
itics.
They are willing, at least majority
of them are. to go to the polls on cleo
ton day and vote. They are not willing
to perform those lesser and homelier
duties on when the quality of political
movements and the character of our
governments depend. Every man ought
to be a politician. Every man ought to
talk politics with his neighbor, discuss
candidates, consider principles, attend
caucuses, vote at the primaries and be
willing to do, either in Office or out of
| office, as much for his party as he
would for his business. This is as
true and as necessary form Of patri-
otism as willingness to enlist in the
country's service. Many are willing to
die for their country, but how few,
alas, to live for her.
The other essential is the simple re-
quirement of ordinary honesty in po:
litical work. In business the man who
steals or accepts a bribe is forever dis
graced. No matter how brilliant his
ability, it is useless for him thereafter
to seek the lowest occupation where
his record is known. Not so of the
man in politics. The rich man can buy
votes and his party does not disown
him.. He. can control primaries, cap
ture conventions and have his agents
supplied with ready money at every
polling place, and yet suffer neither So
cial ostracism nor loss of place or dig
nifty in the highest political body of
the land. This much has already been
proved.
On the other hand, the voter can ac-
cept for his support either cash or
place or the promise Of office, can abb
solutely barter away his ballot and
suffer little or nothing in the esteem
Of his associates. These things are re-
garded as too common for their moral
character tic, appear in its true and
hateful light. We must cut away
from this compromise with vice, and
pillory both briber and bribed upon a
platform of their common shame. if we
hope to make our government pure or
to keep it strong.
These, we say again, are the essen
tials of our time. 1t makes no differ
enee what party upholds them or
through whose mouth they find utter
ance.a All men who. beyond and above
their party or personal attachments,
! have the good of their country really
| at heart-and there are many of them.
thank God-see the necessity Of
preaching this gospel and of trying to
force it home upon the hearts and
| consciences of our people. There never
was a noDler crusade. However one
may regard MIR. Cleveland politically,
one must feel that In utilizing such an
opportunity as he had at Chicago for