Evening journal., 1903-07-30
FUNDAMENTALS OF POLITICS.

Fr~ the last few days several Of our
con-, .nporaries have been engaged IN
the noble pastime Of trying TO show
that the political party with which they
are not amliated is composed entirely
Of thieves ana highwaymen. Were
such sentiments expressed to the ur-
chins Of the streets the answer would
be: Hot air" and the designation
would be apt The following from the
Daily Republican is sample:
Republicans can never afford TO fol-
low the practices OF the Democrats.
The difference between the two is that
the latter are allowed to enter Office
under the public conviction that they
viii steal. The Republicans are only
allowed TO enter Office when the public
conscience becomes aroused and wants
the thieves turned out.
There may have been a time when
that sort OF stun was popular. but that
time has passed. There is yet an oc-
casional baclxwoods journal that prints
such matter under the impression that
Il is giving evidence OF party loyalty
and making votes. But il Is mistaken.
All exerience is against il, and the man
who likes st is one who is not affected
by amy amount of argument Several
things should be remembered by the
person who seeks TO educate the public
In matters political First, parties are
formed ON n question OF principles. just
theology. These are matters which are
natural subjects for discussion and re-
late TO policies, and methods for their
enforcement Rarely may It be said
that a whole party is dishonest or that
it Is immoral. No party puts planks In
its platform advocating theft or other
immortality. Occasionally It is true
that a great many scoundrels get hold
OF an organization and play havoc with
It's principles. but still the guilt is a
matter of individual shame and for in
dividual accountability.
When an onice-holder steals his
party cannot be charged with the theft
unless there was reason IN advance TO
suspect his tendency 10 crookedness.
A Democrat doesn't steal; a Republican
doesn't steal It is simply the man who
does II. When Il comes 10 answering
for our conduct we are stripped of all
our titles and disguises. A man lays
aside his political garment, his relig-
ious robe. his social distinctions, and
as he Is guilty as n man. so he is pun
ished as a man. An officer in the army
who violates the code of war has his
sword broken. the insignia OF his rank
removed. and then ne receives his pun
ishment as a man and not as an ON.
Ger ia a particular army.
These wild statements charging th'
members OF an opposite party with ras
oality because OF their afhliation witt
that organization are denied by on
e,try act A Democratic doctor ma,
bring us into the world, a Prohibition
clergyman baptize ms, a Republica
lawyer write our viii and a Socialis
bury u.s. and we may not have know
the politics Of one Of them, because W
didn't care.
What then remainsg Why. one part
is better than another because It hs
better principles. because it has bee
wiser in the selection OF its candidate
and because OF the general trend of /
policies and their application. The
TOO. the candidates which par
places before the people help us in d
Gliding which is worthy Of our suppo
A strong clean man on crazy pla
form does not deserve election, becau
principles are at stake. and party vi
a sound platform with a scoundrel
the ticket has given am evidence of
lack OF good faith. ana ought to be ,
feated. Sometimes there are combir
tions on both sides that make an h'
est and wise choice difficult, but this
rarely the case.
We're it true that any one party
composed of scoundrels, then our
stitutions would rest entirely on
supremacy OF one political party.