Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-24
National CampaignBegin Early

triumph of the former. In the three
great conflicts of the past the protag-
! onists were respectively Jefferson,
Jackson and Lincoln. Who will be the
| protagonist I'm the present contest?
! In each Of the three conflicts Of the
past the result was the absolute over
throw and disbandment Of one of the
| leading parties and the organization Of
a new one. In each case also the party
that took the side of class interests
and adverse to those Of mass went to
the wall. Will the result be the same
in the present contest? If not, 1t will
/ inevitably bring about realignment Of
| parties and on a more significant scale
than has been common in a presiden-
| tial campaign.
There Is ever more or less change in
party alignment in every important
| election. Men go from one side to the
other under the promptings of their
! convictions or interests The affilia-
| tion of men politically Of like or similar
views Is as natural as the force of the
law of gravitation. Men who think
alike on public questions will or should
| act together, regardless of former as
sociation or cooperative political ac-
tion. individuality and the spirit of
personal independence compel It,
AS II ever mas Deen so III VIII De
in the future that the contest will be
| between two parties. Ffagmentary
parties often arise and as frequently
disappear. The issues in a great con-
| test are always such as to enmass
| the people in the ranks of the two
| stronger parties If there be more than
| that number. AS has been said, the
reaignment of parties in the present
struggle is inevitable. Democrats and
Republicans will forget their past an
| tagonisms and range themselves In
support of the masses or of the monop-
olistic class. In all our history there
has been more or less of a conflict
between these two forcesA The passion
of the privilege-seeking class may
never be eradicated and can only be
prevented from doing harm by laying
on it the heavy hand whenever it man
ifests itself in efforts to gain control of
the government.
Those who believe in absolute pop
ular rule will not support measures
that wrong any class. They constitute
the conservative force of the nation.
All they claim is equality of rights
and opportunities. They are not level
ers except in so far as every man
shall be entitled to possess whatever
he creates through the lawful and just
employment of his powers. Men may
be mistaken in regard to the effect of
particular measures and the manner
of their enforcement but when they
earnestly believe in equal rights and
treatment they will hasten to make
correction when mistakes are discov-
cred. Therefore it is never unsafe to
act with those who believe in gov
ernment of the people, by the people
and for the people," letting go of the
party that does not come up to that
standard.
AS has been said, the pending cam
paign will be protracted, and it Is well
that it should be so, though there are
many who make objection, preferring
short and sharp campaign. The
reason urged is that it interferes too
much with business. There is no good
reason why attending to political duties
should cause neglect of business any
more than the performance of relig- |
ious observances
Government is perpetual and is doing |
things every day that in some measure
affects the common welfare. 1t is a
thing to be watched sufficiently to
acquaint one with its operations. It
Is not necessary that it should absorb |
all thought. Business can be well at |
tended to and at the same time an |
eye can be kept upon official conduct. |
In presidential campaign important |
interests are involved in the questions |
of general policies and in the character |
of men who are to institute and en-
force them. BY acquiring an UNDER |
standing of the questions at issue much |
may be added, even of a material |
character to say nothing of moral |
gain. A protracted campaign affords |
time for thorough investigation and |
reflection and the formation of intel |
ligent and just judgment.
A short and sharp campaign may be
exciting, but it requires the formation
of Judgment in too much of hurry.
Such campaigns are favored by the
political tacticians, who consider only
the carrying of elections for their side.
In such work they are always equipped,
for they study and concern them
selves with little else. In such cam
paign 1t is easier to mislead and de-
ceive the voters than in a prolonged
one.
The questions now before the country
are of such importance as to elicit the
best efforts of the people in their So
luton. Their settlement is hoped for
in whatever way will have a pervasive
and lasting effect upon the national
destiny. LIONEL A. SHELDON.