Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-25
DEsERET EVENING NEWS TUESDAY September Is 1905

al on how good citizens" are taken
in by political demagogues. We take
tho liberty Of copying part OF this
article. because It proves that the SUBJ
jeot is occupying the minds OF
thoughtful writers at the present time.
The Century says:
III one could detach himself from
all Interest In an election except a
psychological one--could be Indifferent
TO results, from patriotic point OF
view-the study Of character and OF
personal peculiarities would be vastly
entertain. For instance. Il would
be amusing to behold the faulty with
which certain well-meaning souls
manage to be made tools Of BY the
most patent demagogues and charla-
tans. As sure as an election ap-
proaches wherein some grOtesque adj
yCnturer Is TO play his game, one sees
certain Of ones acquaintance prepar-
ms to walk straight into the tran pre-
pored for them. Sometimes the dupe
has a half.cOnsciousness Of his posi-.
ton, and puts forth explanations and
apologies which make his conduct only
more ridiculous. or. rather, more pitt
ful and mlschievous.
But detachment of criticism Is im--
possible when one takes ones citizen
ship 10 heart. A voter little acquaint-
ed With history. man ignorant OF
the traits which have marked the
demagOgues OF all ages--cspeciall the
demagogues who use money lavishly---
may have ample excuse for being mis-
led, Anding the demagogues money
actually IN hand and hearing the pro-
mise Of prompt change for the bet
ter IL all the conditions OF life. But
for the man who has had the 0ppor-
tunity OF learning from books and
from life the traits which mark the
brazen, seif-seeking self-advertising,
sensational mischief-making dema-
gogue-for such a man 10 ratlocinate
himself into the position OF an apollo
gist and supporter OF charlatan there
Is no excuse
'One may well ask WHY sincere be-
levers In cause are often so reck-
less IN the choice Of leaders; why they
let the leaders. IN fact. choose them
selves. then feebly acquesce. After
aequlescing. they soon become advo-
Gates. repeating BY rote the phrases
that the adyenturer has put into their
mouths, and lending their influence
20 the creation OF standards which
demorallze the community.
For II is right standards. and these
alone, which save the community.
There were noble standards In the
minds Of the generation that created
tho new republic Of the New World,
and there were noble standards in the
minds OF the generation that brought
US through the civil war. There we're
standards Of high principle, and stand
ards Of high character, In the chief
upholders OF those principles. Doubt
less neither era was without its dema.
gosues, but the leaders were not Of
these.
Every citizen, every voter, who
takes a part IN advancing the selfish
career Of a charlatan is doing ire
parable harm to the country In hts
day and generation. Let such a clti-
zen not excuse himself on account Of
his devotion TO some particular cause,
which also the charlatan pledges him
self to support The good citizen
should think too highly OF his cause
10 wish 10 see its sacred banners borne
by impure hands. He ought TO be
aware that the charlatans support OF
some cause or other is absolutely
necessary to any sort OF success at !
The polls. For the political adventurer
most free-handed with his money.
knows well enough that votes cannot |
be secured by the distribution of cash |
Tor expenses on a large enough |
scale TO carry elections over a wide |
territory, without adding Ia the in
iuence OF money the influence Of
cause"