The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-06-30

r. y a. cal argument" re-
"a Y" - marked Judge Saw
Y MM2 yer. laying aside his
# !; +: !: =: s: +: !:
with the familiar
political ring When | first subscribed
for this paper it never had a word of
censure for a Democrat or a kindly
statement about a Republican or his
party. In those days-and they We're
nOG long agO-a Democrat would not
allow a Republican paper to come into
his house, and Republican never saw
the inside of Democratic journal. 1t
is not so in these prOsaic times"
when l was first elected to con-
gress," observed Colonel Monroe,
party feeling ran 50 high in and
around Lincolnville that persons of OPP
posite political beliefs had as little to
do with one another as possible.
Young women marched in tOrchlight
paradeS and signed agreements pledg-
ing themselves never to marry men
who did not vote as did the fathers
and brothers of these young women.
All members of each of the two great
parties firmly believed that the rival
organization was bent on running the
country. Shootings and murders for
political causes were common. AS a
rule, Democratic merchants depended
hni
toners, and it was seldom that any but
Republicans entered Republican stores"
II remember very WELL" unused
Judge Sawyer. what n row was ere
ated when it was discovered that the
new minister of our church was not in
political accord with the majority of
his congregation. He was an eloquent,
able and God fearing man and never
tinctured his sermons with the slight
est hint of politics, but he was COM
PEELED to resign and seek a call from
community which imagined it voted
as it prayed"
Il haven't changed my political opin
ions in forty years." declared Post
master Jenkins proudly. Il have new
er voted for q man who wasn't on my
ticket and never will, and think that
man who is always Topping around
from one party to another is not to be
trusted"
How do you account for this in
creasinS lack of partisan feeling?" ask
ed Judge Sawyer, addressing Colonel
Monroe.
There are no clearly defined political
issues and have not been in recent
campaigns" answered Colonel Monroe
1T is no longer possible for an intelli-
gent man to give cogent reasons for
allegiance to either of the leading par
ties. Our elections are decided by ap-
peals to the commercial instinct of the
community or nation and by the per-
sonal popularity of the respective can
didates. Great principles of abstract
justice are no longer involved in 20
| litical campaigns. 1t is impossible to
name an issue which fairly divides
Republicans and Democrats. The tar
| if question comes as near as any to
forming such an issue, and yet each
all shades of belief on the subject of
tariff regulation
How about the trusts" suggested
Judge Sawyer. "Are there not indi-
| cations that party lines will be drawn
on the question of the regulation or
suppression of these monopolies?"
Not the slightest indication" was
the prompt reply. Both platforms
will assert that the trusts must and
shall be suppressed, but neither will
contain rational suggestions as to how
this suppression is to be brought about.
The so called trusts are within the do
main of business and commerce, and
modern business men do not allow
politicians to seriously interfere in
their affairs. Do you suppose for one
moment that it is possible to utilize
the machinery of either party to elect
and install an administration seriously
bent on the destruction of the various
combines which are commonly classed
as trusts
"There certainly is a strong popular
sentiment in favor of some move
against these combinations" asserted
Judge Sawyer.
81 don't believe it." declared Colonel
Monroe. "There is a lively public GU
riosity as to what Will develop from
the present trust form of industry, but
the people are as much in the dark and
rs little inclined to make a radical
move against the trusts at the present
time as are the politicians. The PEG
| pie don't like trusts, neither do they
like cyclones or droughts, and they are
as powerless to suggest remedies fol
the latter as for the former. The bust
ness interests will select the candi
dates, their representatives will write
both platforms, and the people will
make their choice. The task of consol
idating industries and eliminating com
petition will continue the same after
election as before. The trust is an is
sue, but the time has not come when il
can be made a political one. 1t is az
economic problem in process of evolu
ton. Political parties can neither has
ten nor retard the processes of evolu
| fc &c, Int