The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-07
SO-CALLED "GOOD CITIZENS.
And How They Are "Taken In" B.
 Political DemagOEues.

E0ltOrlal III OctODer century.
 Every election day is sort of judg- ment day. for the individual voter, as we'll as for the country. Every election Is a test of our institutions; it is also test of our intelligence. our character and our souls. Now Is the time when local and national policies are determ- ined. and now is the time when men are made conspicuous fools of by others and by themselves.
 If one could detach himself from all interest in an election eff1cept a psy- chological one-coul1 be indifferent to results. from patriotic point of view the study of character and of per- sonal peculiarities would be vastly entertaining. For instance. it would be amusing to behold the ratuity with which certain well-meaning souls manage to be made tools of by the most patent demagogues and charlatans As sure as an election approaches wherein some grotesque adventurer Is to play his game one sees certains of ones ac- quaintance preparing to walk straight into the trap prepared for them. Some times the dupe has half conscious ness of his position. and puts forth ex- plantations and apologies which make his conduct only more ridiculous, or, rather. more pitiful and mischrevous.
 But detachment of criticism Is im-
  ship to heart. A votsv little acquainted with history, 8 man ignorant of the traits which have marked the dema- agogues of all ages-especially the demagogues whi use nancy lavishlw- may have ample excuse for being mis- led. finding the demagogue's money actually in hand and hearing the pro- mise of prompt change for the better In all the conditions of life. But for the man who has had the opportunity of learning from books and from life the traits which mark the braZen, self seeking. selfadvertIsing, sensational, mfschief-making demagogue-for such man to ratiocinate himself into the position of an apologist and supporter of chairman there Is no excuse One may well ask why sincere be- lievers in a cause are oIten so reckless In the choice of leaders; why they let the leaders, in fact, choose themselves. then feebly acquiesce. After acQuiesc- ing, they soon become advocates, re- beating by rote the phrases that the adventurer has put into their mouths, and lending their influence to the ere ation of standards which demoraIize the community.
 For 1t is right standards. and these alone. which save ;ne community There were noble standards in the minds of the generation that created the new republic of the New World, and there were nobIe standa rds in the minds of the generation that brought us through the civil war There were standards of high principle, and stand ards of high character. in the chief up- holders of those principles. Doubtless neither era was without it's Gema gogues but the leaders were not of these
 Every citizen, every voter. who takes a part in advancing the selfish career | or charlatan is doinglrreparable harm 10 the county in his day and genera tion Let such citizeu not excuse him. self on account of his devotion to some particular cause, when also the char latan pledges himself to support The good citizen should think to highly l Qy his cause to wish to see It's sacred banners borne by impure hands. He ought to be aware that the charlatan's support of some cause or other Is ab- solutely necessary to any sort of suc- cess at the polls. For the political ad- lventurer most free-handed with his money knows well enough that votes cannot be secured by the distribution of cash Tar expenses" a large enough scale to carry elections over wide territory, without adding to the influ- ence of money the influence of a cause
 citizen with any desire to be count ed among the good clements of a com munity should make himself felt before the election, IS far @s hls influence may extend, in the selection of .andi- dates of character. and on election day should discriminate a1:ong the candi- dates with the same standard in view
 Above all. he ought to do his best en. deavor to keep from be,1g made eithe, 2, tool or a fool of. .:.-.