New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1910-12-03
FIRST THE COMMON VEAL.

With the approach Of the tlm'
when campaign orators shall take
the field to advance their varying
interests, we may expect to neal
much that is modifying, many
things ill-considered, extravagan1
and hurtful. The reformer is 60
ing to lay claim to every VIRTUE
and to charge his opponent with
everything unworthy, while the
regular. with equal enthusiasm
will show the hol.owness and m
sincerity Of the pretensions OF the
reformer.
AT the outset it is well to re-
member that on neither side will
be found all the good or all the
bad; that each faction will have
it's complement Of worthy and I'M
worthy men and that place-hunt-
ers and spoilsmen viii, be number
ed in the camps Of all factions and
all parties. SO hong as there are
offices of profit and pos tons OF
power to be won by appeals to the
people for popular support, just
that long will there be men to con
tend for these positions, and IN
contending for them to be led INTO
extravagances of speech which
sometimes bring prievous conse-
auences in their train.
Such things ale unnecessary and
unfortunate at any tine, and
should be dscountenced always
by thoughtful, c.ean citizens. L
is impossible for any situation TO
arise in legitimate po.itcs that
cannot be met more effectively by
calm reason than by intefnperate
impeachment of motives and yehe-'
ment denunciation of individuals.
The rule obtains quite generally
that the cool head. the well re-
strained temper and the imper-
turable mental equipoise are the
factors that win important con
trove1s:es in the long run; for
passion is not conducive to rea-
son, nor are heat and violence con
sistent with ba ance and sell con
troll. -
Differences in our estimates OF
men and of the merits of prob. ems
presented for consideration are IN
evitable, but such differences Dc
not necessarily mean that either
side is entirely right. nor even
that one side is any nearer right
than the other. The most rre-
conci,able differences are cifen
provoked where both sides are
wrong. Eidences are happily
multiplying. indicative OF the
prospect that the noisy, rantlng
demegogue has had his day and
that the people are no lpnger
by proxy and aching
upon impulse. They have learne
that the business of selecting those
who shall conduct their pubic at
fairs in a very important matter,
and for that reason it should be
entered upon in the same serious
and dHpassionate spirit Of inquiry
and desire for fairness that char
acterizes the honest man in the
Of his most important
luties.
1t is highly essential under a
government controlled by the peo-
pie that there should exist sharp
y defined differences of opinion
With regard to the important mat
ers Of public government for in
differing we AVOID ruts and stag II
nation and make certain the pro-
ection of the public welfare. But
'ur differences should be honest
md open, and in threshing them
mt care should be taken to make ,
lear the distraction between OBJ !
ections founded upon personal ,
'rejudice, and those that may be ,
he product IF unbiased invesoi- I,
alton prompted by an unse,fish
esire to advance the highest wei /,
are Of the commonwealth. In the !,
'olitical campaigns that are to |
ONE we may be sure that there
hall be not lacking those, in ali ,
he opposing camps. whose motives /,
rill not be the highest and whose i
aethods viii deserve the reproba- I
ion Of every good citizen. Il
In the past the State has suf- 4
cred incseulably from intempe- |
10 uttseaness Of sxtFsms and {