Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-23

he midst of a presidential election, one of those
prolonged national Debates creating incessant tur-
noil but invaluable agents of political educa-
ton, in so far as they force all to take thought
about the underlying principles of policy by which
we wish to see the Government guided. 1t was
while this political campaign at its height that
the French visitor to the Russian novelist
setting his notes in order and copying out his
ton that the Americans mere money-grubbers,
predatory and barbaric.
If the unthinlling Partisan journalist had only
taken the trouble to consider the appeals which the
chief speakers of the two parties here in the United
States making to their fellow-citiZens in the
hope of winning votes he would have discovered
that these practical politicians trained to perceive
the subtler shades of popular feeling were founding
all their arguments on the assumption that the
American people whole wanted to do right.
He would have that the appeal of these de-
voted partisans never to prejudice or to race
spirits that various orators have sought
and to intensity in the recent political
discussion of the French themselves.
An examination of the platforms, the letters of
the candidates, and the speeches of the more inn
portant leaders both sides revealed to Ameri-
can observer the significant fact that leach
party tried to demonstrate that it
peaceable, more equitable, more sincerely de-
voted to lawful and righteous behavior than the
other" In other words, the voter in
stinctively credited with loving peace and RICH
goodwill toward men" This seems to show that
the heart of the people is sound and that it does
not throb IN response to lgnoble appeals. 1t
seems to show that there is here the desire ever to
do right and to right done, if the will is
weakened little by easy going good-nature even
if the will fails at times to sen itself Tesolutely
to make sure that the right does prevail even
if righteous wrath does not always blaze forth
to destroy evi-doers
Liberty hath a sharp and double edge fit
only to be handled by just and virtuous men"
SO Milton asserted long ago. adding that to the
bad and dissolute, it becomes mischief unwieldy
in their own hands" Even if we can clear
ourselves of being bad and dssolute" We
have much to do before we can claim to be
Just and virtuous." Justice and virtue are
not to be had for the asking; they the
wards of manful contest with selfshness and
with sloth. They are the result of strenuous
effort to think straight and to apply eternal
principles to present needs. Merely to feel is only
the beginning what remains is to think and to act.
An English historian, Frederic Harrison who
came here to spy out the land three or four years
before Mr. Morley and Mr.. Bryce visited us last,
struck by the fact-and by the many conse-
quences of the fact-that America is the only
land on earth where caste has never had footing,
nor has left trace" 1t seemed to him that vast
numbers and the passion of equality tend to low
averages in thought, in manners and in public
opinion which the zeal of the devoted minority
tends gradually to raise to higher planes of
thought and conduct. But he believed we should
solve our problems one by one because the zeal
for learning, justice and humanity lies deep in
the American heart. Mr.. Harrison did not it
in many words, but it is implied in what he did
say that the absence of caste and the presence of
low averages in thought, in manners and in public
opinion impose heavier task the devoted
minority, whose duty it is to keep burning stead
lily the zeal for learning, justice and humanity
Which of us may not if haply the spirit moves