The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-02-09
Statesmanship and Politics.


Rev. A. B. Leonard gave some very
interesting points on good citizenship
and its duties and as to their practica
application in an address at the First
Methodist church last Sunday evening
The text of the address was Proverbs
292: When the righteous are in au-
thority, the people rejoice; but when
the wicked beareth rule, the people
mourn.
The speaker began his address by say
ing 1--WE are far enough removed from
the heat of campaign and election day
to speak freely and candidly upon the
question of party influence and power,
and unaoh the personnel of candidates for
.offiss without being charged with de-
Tending or finding fault with particu-
lar party or candidate for Office.
AS it is the duty of christian laymen
to take an interest in civic affairs so it
is the duty of the preacher to speak
plainly and positively concerning the
Z duty and responsibility of men, for the
.-ssas~A-s1fs the. ballot As there
SIN ID be no conflict between the pr1-
" S.@sAand the prayer meeting, so there
should be no incongruity between our
prayer and our practice in the use of
the elective franchise. The christian
religion was never intended for home
consumption.
The definition of politics as given by
the standard dictionary is: First, The
branch of civics that treats of civil
government and the con 1uct of State
affairs in the interest of the peace, pros
perity and safety Of the people, synony-
nous with statecraft and political
science. In wide sense embracing the
science of government and civil polity.
Second-As political affairs in a party
sense. The administration of public
affairs in party sense, so as to carry
. elections, and secure public offices, syn
onymous with party intrigues, political
wire pulling and trickery.
The first definition, says Carlos Mar
tyn, gives us the realm of the states
man, who studies the science of govern
ment, and applies its principles to pub
lie affairs, seeking the good of the whole
people.
The second gives us the realm of the
politician, who studies the art of getting
into Office, and profting all he can at
public expense.
"The first is a patroitwho would serve
his country. The second is politician
who is barnacle attached to the body
polite; who seeks to make his country
serve him. We all know that bad laws
with bad rulers tend to make people bad;
good laws with bad rulers become a
dead letter; good laws with good rulers
tend to make good people," When we
consider the law of influence we have
an added reason why public men
should be ofiexemplary habits.
Every man in high position POLITICAL
ly, commercially or socially is either
fountain of health or disease.
His influence gives life, or poison's
life whatever may be his position from
tie President to constable. If he is a
man unclean in his habits, immoral, in
temperate, afrequenter of saloons, the
young men will say to themselves, If he
can be such man and be honored, or
succeed in business, l can indulge my
evil passions and appetites without sac
ri6cing my prospects. If profanity,
drinking, or political trickery is no OBJ
stacle to his success, these things need
be none to my success.
1t is supreme folly to teach our boys
the importance of honesty in all things,
and at the same time give our voice and
vote for the support of a man for public
Office whomIwe should not place before
that same boy, as one worthy his imita-
tion, in public and private life.