Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-14

plain upon their necks for all men to
see. They are known for what they are,
and their time is short. But when Icy
come to be retired 1t will pe OF little use
TO replace an unfaithIul 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 az free
people. e .s
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 a nation determined on honesty
and publicity in public affairs. is al
ready wearing thin under the ceaselesS
hammering of the progressive onset. The
demand of the people for political prog
ress will not be denied. Does any man,
not blinded by personal interest or by
tie 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 11rst
see the light.
NEW DEAL DEMANDED.
The people of the United States de-
mand a new deal and square deal. They
have grasped the fact that the special In
terests are now In control of public az
fairs They have decided once more to
take control of their own business. For
the last ten years the determination to
do so has been swelling like river. They
insist that the special interest shall go
out of politics or out of business-one or
the other. And the choice will lie with
the interests themselves If they resist.
both the interests and the people will suf-
fer If wisely they accept the inevitable,
the adjustment will not be hard. 1t Will
do their business no manner of harm to
make IL conform to the general welfare.
But one way or the other, conform 1t
must.
The overshadowing question before the
American people today is this: Shall the
nation govern itself or shall the interests
run this country? The one great politi-
cal demand, underlying all others. giving
meaning to all others. Is this: The spe-
cial interests must get out OF politics.
The old style leaders, seeking to switch
public attention away from this one alb
sorbing and Overwhelming issue are pitt
fully ridiculous and out Of date.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 like trying to dam the
Mississippi with dead leaves.
To drive the special interests out Of
politics is a vast undertaking, for in
politics lies their strength. II they re-
sist, as doubtless they will, 1t will call
for nerve, endurance. and sacrifice on
the part of the people. 1t will be no
childs play, for the power of privilege is
great. But the power of our people is
greater still, and their steadiness is equal
to the need. The task Is a tremendous
one both In the demands 1t will make
and the rewards it will bring. 1t must be
undertaken sooerly, carried out firmly
and justly, and relentlessly followed to
the very end Two things alone can
bring success. The first is honesty in
public men, without which no popular
government can long succeed. The sec
end Is complete publicity of all the af-
fairs In which the public has an interest,
such as the business of corporations and