The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-21
WHY ALL MEN SHOULD TAKE
ACTIVE PART IN POLITICS.

There is but one way to put an end
to bad government in city, county,
State or nation. Bad government ex-
lists because good men shirk their
duty. Whenever good men are ready
to make sacrifice for good government
they are sure to get it, but not until
then. If good men shirk active parti-
cipation in politics. they may be sure
that bad men will control government
for their personal ends.
The same is true of party manage
ment. 1t should be in the hands of
the best men who will not use it for
personal or selfish ends. If, however
good men abdicate. selfish men or cor
rupt men are sure to take the reins
of party government in their own
hands. 1t is as true in politics as in
mechanics that the stream cannot
rise above its source.
We have seen nowhere in short
space more wisdom along the line of
the duty of the citizens than was con-
tanned in the speech by Alfred Moore
Scales, Esq, of Greensboro, in 1902.
when he was temporary chairman of
the Democratic State Convention.
From that speech We make this quo
tation:
ITO take an active interest in poll
tics is not only a citizens privilege,
but is his sacred duty. What right
have | to shirk the primary and con-
vention and leave to my neighbor the
duty of maintaining for me and my
children the blessings of liberty and
good government? In time of war we
look with contempt and adherence
upon the man who SkulkS and refuses
to fight in the hour of his country's
peril. Shall we forget that eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty and
that peace has her warfares, which
tax the courage and fidelity of the citi-
zen? The excuses which men make
for their failure in this great and i'm
portant duty are numerous, but we
Will have time to consider only a few.
Some men say that politics is a dirty
business and that they will not have
anything to do with it. This sentiment
we hear only too often, and that too
among good men. God save the State
and nation where such a sentiment
becomes dominant. Then indeed would
politics become. a BUSINESS and doubt
less very dirty one; with the men Of
character standing apart, wrapped in
their robes of Righteousness, and care
1essly watching the soOliation of their
country. If it is a dirty business, it is
the fault of these very men, who, in
stead of going about speaking of the
evils and corruption of the politicians,
should do mans part in correcting
the evils and stamping out the cor
ruption. But. say some, we would be
in the minority. and be outvoted by
those who are in it only for what
they can get out of it. This is not
true, certainly in North Carolina. I
am one of those that believe in the
saving morality and common sense of
the people and am certain that as
long as the people of North Carolina
take an active interest in her politics.
corruption cannot permanently exist.
= "As another excuse for failure of
duty, We hear men say that they do
not go to the primary and convention
because some man may be nominated
or some measure approved, which
they cannot vote for. These men leave
out of consideration the fact that
Republic must necessarily be govern
ed by parties. If a man belongs to
neither party. he is forced at election
day to throw away his vote, or to the