Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-10-21

would grace such an organization as
could he the outcome of purely patri-
,tic impulse. We can best estimate the
amount Of patriotism in the movement
looking to the assumption of RESPONSE
bility, by studying the administration OF
Grover Cleveland. lie was another sin
cere man, and as regards ability the
strongest man in his party. The in
tense opposition to his ideas of civil
service reform, and proper treatment OF
the tariff shows the rank insubordina-
ton rife in that party. Could Judge
Parker succeed where Grover Cleveland
failed? His party, born in a needless
disputation held the balance of power,
for just so long as its unprogresslve
policy was adequate to the needs OF the
times. 1t cannot keep pace with evolu-
ton, crippled as it is through the lack
Of that singleness of purpose which was
the inspiration of the founder. 1t is
now on the verge of disintegration.
Judge Parker's advent, whether he wins
or loses the election, but precipitates the
inevitable result of much dissension. 1t
is a misfortune, not his fault.
No evidence could be So instructive
in regarding the fitness to rule, as the
methods by which party tries to get
into power. Their conduct of the con-
vention, and their efforts generally is an
object lesson.
The ability for constructive statesman
ship is necessary qualification for a
reform party. Construction requires a
sense of proportion and perception OF
the fitness of parts. This is a qualifi,
cation conspicuous by its absence i'll
that party. As instance, MIR. Olney, who
is one of the most intelligent men in the
party, recently submitted his estimate
of the character of president Roosevelt
calling him "lawless emperor" etc.
thus displaying an utter lack of a SENSE
of proportion. We must believe thai
this is his conviction, and that as {
leader he is above insulting an intelli
gent audience, by practising the arts o
the cheap politician. In all their work
from start to finish, of this campaign
the most noticeable thing will be tn,
lack of this necessary sense of proportion
As witness the position of Mr.. Bryan
All the spokesman of the conservative
wing of the party have been most strenu
Gus in their efforts to discredit him, anC
yet they have made him the star per
former on the stump. Again they arr
clamoring for more strict conformit,
to international law, because of their in
tense sympathy for those bandits a
Bogota, this in spite of the fact that tn
most jealous of the 'powers" did no
criticise or censure the administration
Also while advocating most stric
enforcement of such laws as can punis
those "sinners," the republicans" the
believe that they themselves are gov
erned least. In their estimate of tn
president they concede that he is honest
also that he is very intelligent, tn
while apprehensive over his egotism
when this is the most atural and fifth
compliment. The greatest statesmen
that have ever lived were egotists
Surely we do not want as president G
this great republic, man who can b
led by the nose. They believe that
government of, for, and by the whole G
the people-in other words, a democ
racy-is the only tolerable form of go,
eminent, and then impugn the majorit
by scathing criticism of the result
of their judgment, and by sweepin
and damaging charge of Who'll sale co
ruption. They complain of the method
of republicans, whom their weakness ha
given the ascendency; but it is obviou
that the cause for which they are stri'
ing is being injured far more fro,
within their own ranks, than by an
means used by those who are success
fully repelling their attack.
During the past two years at leas
there has been in circulation a yer
great deal of instructive matter intende
to assist the voters in making a choice
Perhaps if there had been less of acr
mony, extravaganza, and useless egotisl
regarding the administration and
more kindly criticism of the sever;
leaders in their own party the ''safe an
sane" members might at least hav
stood on tenable ground. Asa resi-
of all their efforts, eliminating in
dab-as-you-please campaign, the "col
servatives" are lowering at the brink c
a crater-and the Lord only knows whs
phoenix will arise from the ashes.