The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-14


 picted as likely to bring woe upon the land. whose talk beginning in foolshness ends in mischievous madnessi Lest there arise any misunderstanding as to the pertinence of the present application, let us admit at the outset that such also is the ruler under whom we now live and have the remnants of our moral and po- ltical being. We are told that a president chosen by the people is immune from crit icism, that he is a thing apart, not a mere executive officer, but a tribune en- Veloped in the odor of sanctity which safeguarded the kings of old. It is a new idea. Criticism of official conduct has ever been a prerogative of the peo- pie. Not so now! The heavy, hand of fear rests upon the land. The audacty of one has triumphed over the courage of the mony. The mighty organization known i as the republican party has become a mere personal machine. It's former lead CTS have drawn back affrightedly into their corners. Their wishes are no longer regarded. their consultation no longer de- sired; obedience to edict is not only ex- acted from, but enforced upon them.
 Eat the Crumbs.
 So, too. with the representatives of the party founded by Thomas Jefferson! With substantial unanimity democratic senators and representatives eat the crumbs of patronage from the hand that smote them. and lick the boot whose impact they have felt, while simultaneously their undisputed, if not in fact, peerless lead CT, hobbies lie a cripple in the wake of his successful rival, gathering as he goes | the few scraps that are left of his own fallaces. Publicists heretofore courageous hasten to follow the crowd. Every busi- ness man, republican or democrat every En0VV ra oaS in ci- fence of private discussion, but speaks with bated breath or not at all in the lace of possible publication. All have grown 90 accustomed to unstinted preach ments, unmereiful scoldings and scornful i lnvective, that 1t seems but natural that the few who still venture to insist upon the inalienable right of communities whether encompassed by state, city or ] township lines, to govern themselves should be denounced as reactionaries and the yet smaller number who raise their feeble voices on behalf of caution and re- strant in the conduct of great affairs, should be held up to painful derision as contemptible mollycoddles. Never before was there such universal heed of the in- junction of the preacher, "Curse not the 1 king no, not in thy thought, for bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell.'
 How happens it that a whole people has been thus brought under the yoke of tacit submission, with no voice raised in pro- test. with none even to ask the reason why? Primarily, we are informed with much blare of trumpets that at least we have an honest president. But did we ever have dishonest president? In a i land where for more than a hundred years no blot has stained the personal escutcheon of it's chief magistrate is there so great occasion for boasting now? Or | Il esty be. perchance, the outcome of essen tial cunning akin to that of the cutie | fish? How else can we account for the persistent and distressing charges of will ful prevarication? When before has a president of the United States, lesser or greater, at what seemed the critical mo- ment in his own candidacy, besought large sums of money for use, not in conduct ing political canvass over Q protracted period, but on election day? When before has it been necessary to purge an official conscience and reinforce a claim of civic rightness by chasing one who has been friend in need however unworthy with anarchists and murderers?
 End Justlfies Means.
 But the end, we are told, justifes the means-any means, apparently. No mat ter what you do if your heart bo true" well meaning man. Horatio! Excel. snt also were the intentions and quick the resentment of the restive COW in Chicago that kicked over a ,a.nu filled with the oil of those engaged In predatory activities. Great was the fame won by that COW; so why ask what happened to the city?
 Again in ancient times the fabled os- trich left her nest to seek means of al leviating her thirst and bear came along and saw the eggs, and he roared loudly and drew big audience. and he made a great speech and savngely de- nounced the faithless ostrich. and in- weighed in mighty voice against race sui- eide, and deep was the awe Of those who heard him. But mere speech did not suf- flee; to act was his motto. behold.
 he said, the ostrich has proved her n- capacity or unwillingness tos perform aer duties. A stronger power is required. will hatch the eggs" And he proceeded forthwith to do so. Who can deny the praiseworthiness of the intent. So why raise inopportune questions respecting the fate of the eggs? That Teddy Bear vas no mollycoddle. He was doer. As Ar temus Ward said of Napeoleon. He tried