The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-12

ery thinking American. 1t has not
come quickly or without good reason.
Every man who knows Congress well
knows the names of senators and mem
bers who betray the people they were
elected to represent and knows also
the names of the masters whom they
obey. A representative of the people
who wears the collar OF the speclal
interests has touched bottom. He can
sink no further.
Who is to blame because representa-
tives of the people are so commonly led
TO betray their trust? We all are
we who have not taken the trouble
to resent and put an end to the knavery
we knew was going on. The brand Oh
politics served out to us by the profess
sional politician has long been com
posed largely of Tot meals for the in
terests and hot air for the people, and
we have all known 1t.
Political platforms are not sincere
statements of what the leaders of
party really believe, but rather forms
| of words which those leaders think
they can get others to kbelieye they
believe. The realities of the regular
political game lie at present far pc
meath the surface; many of the issues
advanced are mere empty sound; while
| the issues really at stake must be
sought deep down in the politics OF
business-in politics for revenue only.
All this the people realize as they
never did before, and what is more,
they are ready to act on their knowl.
edge.
New Life Stirring
! A new life Is stirring among the dry
bones of formal platforms and artificial
issues Morality has broken into politics.
Political leaders. trust-bred and trust-fed,
find it harder and harder to conceal thelr
actual character. The brass-bound col
lar of privilege has become plain upon
their necks for all men 10 see. They are
krown for what they are. and their time
is short But when they come to be re-
tired It will be of little use to replace
an unfaithful public servant who wears
| the collar by another public servant with
the same collar around his neck. Above
| all. what we need In eevry office Is free
men representing free people.
The motto In every primary-in every
ele ction-should be this: No watch dogs
Of the interests need apply
The old order. standing pat in dull mis-
understanding of the great forward sweep
OF nation determined on honesty ana
publicity In public affairs, is already
wearing thin under the ceaseless hammer
Inc of the progressive onset. The deman1
Of the people for political progress will
not be denied. Does any man, not blinded
BY personal interest or by the dust OF
political dry rot. suppose that the bulk
of our people are anything else but pro-
1T essiye? II such there be, let him ask
the young men, In whose minds the poll
cies of tomorrow first see the light.
The people of the United States demand
n new deal and square deal. They
have grasped the fact that the special
| In cf a r
fairs. They have decided once more to
take control CT their own business. For
the last 10 years the determination to dc
50 has been swelling like a river. They
insist that the special interests shall &c
out Of politics or out of business-one OIL
the other. And the choice will lie with
the interests themselves. If they resist
both the interests and the people will
suffer. If wisely they accept the newt
able, the adjustment will not be hard. Il
will do their business no manner of harm
. to make 1t conform to the general wei
fare. But one way or the other, con
form 1t must.
Shall Nation Govern Itself
The overshadowing question before tn
American people today is this: Shall tn
nation govern itself or shall the interest
, run this country? The one great politica
demand. underlying all others, givin
meaning to all others, is this: The spe
cial interests must get out OF politics
The old-style leaders, seeking to switcl
public attention away from this one alb
sorbing and overwhelming issue are pitt
fully ridiculous and out of date To tr.
: to divert the march of an aroused publ
) conscience from this righteous inevitabl
conflict by means of obsolete politica
catchwords is like trying to dam the Mis-
: sissinpi with dead leaves
9 This nation has decided to do away vii
Q governmet by money for profit and re
turn to the government our forefather
g died for and gave to us-government
men for human welfare and huma
: progress.
d Opposition to progress has produced II
Z natural results. There Is profound dissa'
b isfaction and unrest and profound caus
S for both. Yet the country Is awake. nc
q generation at least there has not bee
a situation SO promising for the ultima'
public welfare as that of today. Our pei
: pie are like hive of bees, full of agitt
+ ton before taking night to better plac
Il Also they are ready to sting Out OF IL
9 whole situation shines the confident hoT
. of better things. If any man is discou
$ aged, let him consider the rise of cieans
I, standards in this country within the la
It ten years.
IS The task of translating these new stant
IL ards into action lies before US. From 81
1. to sea the people are taking fresh grl
Is on their own AFFAIRS. The conservation I
= political liberty will take its proper PLAT