Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-10-19

Secretary Shaw in speaking at West
Liberty, referred to the proposed
abolishment of annual elections in
the following forcible language:
Time spent in political campaigni
is not wasted. Capacity for self.
government is not q natural attribute
to the human race. It is an acquired
capacity. About the only time the
American people study the art OF self
government is during political cam.
paigns and with few exceptions the
states that have annual elections are
most influential In molding national
politics. 1t is profitable for kings,
princes and America citizens to study
statecraft.
Il is no accident that the New Eng.
land states and Ohio have been more
potent than some In government coun'
ellis. II il not by accident that lows
ranks with the most influential. New
England, Ohio and Iowa annually dis.
cuss public questions and they solve
issues in advace of campaigns. -Four
years ago when the proposed constitu'
tion amendment would have lengthen.
ed my term as governor ! opposed itl
adoption. The reasons ! then gave
why thought tile amendment should
be defeated are equally good at this
time.
Il will be remembered that the cam.
paign Of 1900 was fought out in lows
and decided in the fall of 1899. II
certainly has not been forgotten that
the democratic demand of this year
that the tariff be removed from mono.
poly produced goods until the monop-
oily is destroyed, was fought last year
with Mr.. Sullivan, the democratic
candidate for governor. As = result.
Iowa stands today in perfect harmony
with the party. But for the campaign
Of last year we might now find it me-
cessary to import speakers instead OF
sending those who have been accus-
toned to take part in state canvasses
into other states.
Il is . great thing for q state to be
leader Of political thought, provid-
ing that the lead is wise aud we'll con-
sidered and the only way state can
expect to take first rank is to wage an
nual campaigns.
Political campaigns ought never to
degenerate into mere squabbles for
office. They should be thoughtful
contests between public policies.
clearly defined. honestly presented.
and faithfully defended Dy political
parties. Those who are permitted to
take part in political discussions ought
at least to make ttheir hearers think.
No one need fear for the future OF the
republic go long as electors think
Probably no one is free from preju.
dice. and il 10 quite possible that
those Of us who are most consoled
with fauoied freedom from this subtle
weakness are in fact the most enslaved
Only those who are thus unconscious
~ enslaved refuse to consider. 1t was
many centuries ago that God criticis-
cd the prejudiced minds Of his chill
dren By the expression, "but my
people will not consider.
We expect our representatives in the
legislature and iu congress. thought
fully, carefully and unselfishly to dis
charge the great responsibilities OF
their positions. I am here to demand
that you exercise the same standard OF
statesmanship at the polls as you de-
mand.of your representatives in their
Official positsions. It is great re-
sponsibility that rests upon the elec-
tor, and he should not thoughtlessly
or flippantly cast it aside. A thought.
less. careless, selfish vote at the polls
10 as reprehensible as thoughtless.
careless selfish vote in congress.