Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-21
NOT REAL POLITICS.

NOT REAL POLITICS,
During the present political campaign
IN this State It is likely that a great
many things viii be said and done In
partisan spirit, that will create much
ill-feeling and be a source Of regret TO
those responsible Tor them when this
cruel war Is over" We can see no good
reason for the inyectlve, personalities
md rasplng lnslnuations which arc al
ready Inculged In before the contest
Is fully opened. Much less Is there oc-
casIon for direct Justification Of the
movements and motives OF opposing
parties and candidates.
The policy here alluded to IS called
"polItics" By some very radical per-
sons, but the term is Improperly used
when SO applied. Politics signifies the
science of government. II docs not In
clude scurrllity, abuse, libel and scan
dalous stories or behavior These are
degrading tactics ofben used IN partl-
sanshIp. but cannot be classed proper
ly as politics.
why cannot a political contest be
conducted, especially in this state on
the lines OF fairness, honor, gentleman
~ conduct and language, and dispose
tim 10 do Justice both 70 friend and
foeg Why talk about the Democratic
wolves" or the Republican hyenas"
Why hold up 10 scorn and rcproach
good men. respectable citizens, reputa-
HE nelghbors. Just because they dlft1t
,n their political views with their as
sallants? Is not that Kind Of warfare
dishonorable, vulgar and indesent?
II often calls forth applause from the
lover grade OF partisan humanity but
Is disgusting to thinking persons who
are entitled 90 the name OF gentlemen
or ladies. II has no weight as an ar
eument. II sheds no light. illustrates
no principle, evokes no pleasant feel
,ng. and n not received IN a public as
sembly with dead silence, ought 10 be
lhiaed until it's author becomes asham-
ed OF himself and reforms his conduct
IA lively anecdote. a funny story,
display OF wit and genuine humor, |
spices a speech and adorns an article
in writing, but anything Of that kind /
should not descend TO ooarseness, buff /
foonery or unjust accusations or linz
plications.
Political contests in Utah ought 70 |
he conducted on a higher plane than |
that which is common TO parisans
elsewhere The people here know bet
Ter. II they do not do better. The great
body OF them are personal friends. |
Many OF them belong TO the same
church and are united by religious /
tles. Yet they appear at election times |
sn fierce hostility toward each other |
and cannot brook the slightest diher-
.nce IN opinion or contrary votes IN |
caucus, convention or at The polls Why |
cannot rational people concede to those
whose political faith IS opposite to their |
own. the sincerity and good motives
which they claim Tor themselves? Why |
should Republican say or think that /
,iis Democratic fellow citizen Is dis /
honest or insane, because De cannot I
zee as he does; or a Democrat regard /
his Republican neighhor as q knaye or
a fool for similar reason? An old ]
copy book motto n school boy days
was "Many men many minds This
tersely states condition common 10
humanity through all the ages. "Dii- !
ference OF opinion should never alter
friendship" Sc another edage which |
should Be kept IN view at an times and /
particularly during political campal gns |
Physical force. personal abuse irrtat- 1
ing language, false accusings. rldicule /
oppfobrlum and similar agencies will I
never harmonic conflicting theories |
or bring together disputing advocates /
Harmony cannot be brought about by /
persistent disoords.
Political parties appear 10 be neccs- /
rary in the present imperfect condition 1
Of society. They are formed IN all the /
civilized nations Of the world. They /
are founded on doctrines that appear TO /
their deyolees 20 be right and bench /
rial AZ a rule their active members /
are sincere IN their beliefs ana consist
ent IN their efforts TO establish them. |
They have the same end In view. that /
+. good government for tho common |
welfare. or course there are indiyld- I
nails IN all parties who simply aim AZ /
their own aggrandlzement or the pos I
session OF the objects Of their ambl. T.
ton. Too often they become unseru-
pulous untruthful and unworthy Of /
public respect However. they soon be-
come objects Of suspicion ana aver. /
SION and are finally repudlsted by the /
public
The masses a. the voters should keep /
hclr eyes vide open when regar5iag 4
candidates for public Office. and take /
rood care not n place in high station /
~ any responsible position that class
" adseniuTers and selfish ssnlranis
mat are unworthy ~ the confidence I
snd respect Of mankind. The a6moni-