The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-06-12

! lcal methods Of the past generation have
lost their power, and that our people
have come at last to Judge Of politics
| by the eternal rules OF right and wrong
Morality Breaks Into Politics.
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
their actual character The brass-bound
collar of privilege has become plain upon
their necks for all men to see. They are
known for what they are. and their time
is short. But when they come to be re-
tired Il 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 every office is free men
representing free people.
THE motto in every primary-in every
election-should be this: No watch dogs
Of the interests need apply.
The old order. standing pat in dull
misunderstanding Of the great forward
sweep Of nation determined on honesty
and publicity in public affairs. is already
wearing thin under the eeaseless ham
mering of the progressive onset. The
demand of the people for political prog
ress viii not be denied. Does any man,
not blinded by personal interest OF by
the dust of political dry rot, suppose
that the bulk Of our people are anything
else but progressive? If such there be-
let him ask the young men, in whose
minds the policies of tomorrow first
see the light
The people of the United States de-
mand a new deal and a square deal
They have grasped the fact that the
special interests are now in control OF
public affairs. They have decided once
more to take control of their own BUSH
ness. For the last ten years the deter
minati0n 10 do so has been swelling like
a river. They insist that the special in
terests shall so out of politics or out of
business-one or the other And the
choice viii lie with the interests them
selves. If they resist. both the interests
and the people viii suffer. If wisely they
accept the inevitable, the adjustment will
not be hard. It viii do their business
no manner Of harm to make it conform
to the general welfare. But one way or
the other conform it must
"shaII the Interests Rule.
THE overshadowing question before
the American people to-day is this:
Shall the nation govern itself or shall
the interests run the country? The one
great political demand, underlying all
others. giving meaning to all others.
is this: The special interests must get
out of politics. The old-styIe leaders.
seeking 10 switch public attention away
from this one absorbing and overwheIn-
ing issue are pitifully ridiculous and out
of date To try TO divert the march Of
an aroused public conscience from this
righteous inevitable conflict by means of
obsolete political catchwords is Ike try
ing TO dam the Mississippi with dead
leaves.
TO drive the special interests out OF
politics Is a vast undertaking, for in poli.
ties lies their strength If they resist. az
doubtless they viii. it viii call for nerve
endurance, and sacrifice on the part of
the people II will be no child's plat
for the power of privilege is great. But
the power Of our people is greater st4n
and their steadfast1ess Is equal to the
need. The task is tremendous one
both in the demands il will make and tha
rewards II viii bring II must be under
taken soberly. carried out firmly ana
justly. and relentifssly followed TO th..
very end. Two things alone can bring
success. The first is honesty in public
men, without which no popular govern
ment can long succeed. The second is
complete publicity Of all the affairs in