New-York tribune., 1907-08-13
WATTERSON ON PARTIES.
Says Public Is Humbugged-Worns
AGAINST "Isms."

Lexington. KY. Aug. 12.-At the opening OK
the annual Blue Grass Fair here to-day Henry
watterson delivered the principal address. say
ing In part:
I do not say that party government is failure.
but do say that party government. claiming n' -
be the representative OF public opinion IS hu1-
bug. 1t is nlischievous humbug-
We pride ourselves upon living under govern
ment of public opinion Would ~ not oe lsueR ~
say that we live under a government Of party Or
ganism? Is # not also true that this party organ,
ism takes small account of public opinion wnere IL
feels itself strong enough 10 DEFY lt1 Ahe cur
ruption OF partieS-ths revelations OF this cofrup-
ton which have reached the common knowiedse
the last few years-have COMPOUNDED the Demo
Gratis and brought the Republicans to their knees.
The politicians OF both parties are appealing as
never before to the people. Mr.. Rooseveit Vles
with Mr. Bryan In the proposaI OK spechcs niole -
less novel and drastic. but each claiming 10 ns
curative. Statesmanship. yielding 10 the senti-
mental and humane pressure OF the times. nas
turned doctor. The chief aim OF tne leaders seems
70 be TO take a short cut to the millennium; and
lust now IL Is a race between two ambitious popu-
lar favorites which OF them shall get there frsr-
All this while however, there is no suspension N
the work of organization going on IN the pa-k
Office. In Mr. Roosevelrs back Office and In MI
Bryan's back office; the people az large separated
into opposing camps in each OF which tndepenoent
thinking is held to be treason majority or one
IN either camp settles it majority OF one ne
tween the two camps settles u IN ootn camps
the more violent and active men, ever intriguing
for advantage draw the more moderate and pas
sive men after them: and. although the two sets
Of moderate men united might constitute major
fty they cannot get together because OF an arcf-
fetal line raised in the interest or the profesAona&
place hunters too often at the expense OF the
country
I warn our people against the intrusion Of GER
tain -tsrns'' which describe themselves as prog
ress" and muster under the standards OF what
they call God and morality, but which 1fty
wears ago went by very different name: 'isS1s'
which take their spirit from Cotton Mather- not
from Jesus Christ. @-isrns which where they can
not rule would burn at the stake; 1srls which
embrace the sum OF all fanatfci5m and fntoler-
anre proposing that instead Of the ricn. red
blood OF Virginia. ice water shall How through the
veins Of the people; -isn1s which IN one word
vrould blot Kentucky out Of the galaxy Of stars
and recreate her in the dread image OF Name ard
Kansas
refuse TO Weld these Holding the ministry
in reverence as spiritual advisers. rejecting them
as emissartes Of temporal power 90 nol inlenG.
~ can help IT, 70 be compelled 20 accept RUE
~ modern cIericaisrn which, II 10 could nave US
bent and sway would revive for u the priest
ridden systems Of the Middle Ages 90 not care
IN live in world that Is too good 10 Dc sehial 70"
asretic TO be honest. too proscrptve TO oe happy-
when the time arrives for 70 go 20 my aecount
7 mean to 90 shouting. to go with my flag fying