The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-06-24
DANGEROUS PATH IN POLITICS is
HELD UP TO VIEW
Judge Dietrich Delivers a Notable Ad.
dress Before Graduating Glass
of the State University
Statesman

Judge Frank S. Dietrich returned
today from Moscow, where he deliver
ed the graduating address before the
class of 1910 of the University of
Idaho. The address of the federal
court jurist was one of the most not
able he has probably ever prepared
for public occasion of this character
and it dealt with subjects pre-eminent
in the minds of the graduate who
leaves the portals of the educational
institution for actual experience in
the open field of competition. Judge
Dietrich was impressed with the grad
uating exercises and in fact the en-
tire commencement week program as
carried out.
In his advice to the graduates
Judge Dietrich gave his view of the
duties of the citizens in political life
and pointed out the danger in the
path of an ambition which seeks to
control political machinery. After
speaking words of caution in this con-
nection he said.
81 would not speak alone of large
political leadership; that is rare and
comes to few No duty rests upon
the majority to seek such a career.
But at the door of every citizen lies
the obligation to give effect to such
leadership when in worthy and COM
petent hands, and here is where high
ly educated men | fear are too often
inclined to shirk or infficiently to dis
charge the responsibility which, as
citizens, whatever may be our special
work in life. we should assume. Cast
ing the ballot upon election day is not
Gated man, nor does the exercise of
the elective franchis discharge his en-
tire obligation to the common good.
Nor am inclined to the view so COM
monty expressed that it is the duty
of every man to attend the caucuses
and primaries and attempt to manip-
ulate political organizations. I'm
doubtedly there may be times when
the duty of such participation is i'm
posed upon ALL but such forms of
activity lie near the realm of political
leadership, for which net all have
the natural aptitude. But whether
you have such capacity or not, you do
have it within you to render most
valuable service to the state by form
ing and contributing to the public
opinion which shall rule in your COM
munity; and after all the ballot is
but the method and often crude one
at that, of giving effect to public
opinion.
In the field of politics and the af-
f,sy 80
in the business world. public opinion
is most powerful agency either for
good or for evil. The successful politi-
cal leader rightly understands it and
wisely keeps it at his back The bad
leader stands in awe of it, and the
good leader is helpless without it. We
shall have made long stride in the
discharge of our obligation in this re-
spect when we once realize the ire
mendous and irresistible power of
this sometime silent. but all persua-
sive. force. 1t is the supreme trib-
unal to whose judgment all others
must yield.
If law is placed upon the statute
books without its approval it's opera
ton is suspended; and if law re-
mains upon the statute books after it
ceases to approve, it cannot be en-
forced. Our forefathers were not in
sensible of its strength, and accord
ingly when they were about to take
the momentous step of setting up
new and Independent government,
"out of a decent respect to the opin-
ions of mankind" by the declaration
of independence they appealed to the
world for the power of it's approval.
power Enthusiastically efficient al
though revealing itself in neither bal
lot nor billet. The smiles and frowns
of public opinion are the only sane
tions of international law governing
the relation of sovereign nations one
to the other; likewise it reaches into
the lowliest social gathering and rules
with undisputed sway; it's decision Is
| universal. So, there Is nothing more
terrible than public opinion founded
upon ignorance and swayed by evil
passions. No one so we'll understands
and appreciates its baleful power as
he who for the time being is in the
administrative control of the affairs
of government.
Educated men owe it to the state
and to the common good to have a
share. great or small, in accordance
with their capacity, in giving charac-
ter to force so potent in the affairs
Of state and in the shaping of our
destiny as people. If the lessons of
history are of any value, If the theor-
les and principles of government of
political economy and of social sci
ence are of any account. you who
have studied them should. by your
example and in other effective ways.
bring into the public opinion of the
circle in which you move something
of intelligence, something of fairness,
something Of breadthl and something
of stability, which. without your in
Prevention. 1t would hot have. You