Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-20
THE NEED OF MEN.

lSioux City Journal].
What the managers of political par
ties in the United States need to know
more fully than the knowledge has yet
come to them, is that the essential aim
Of political organizations must be for
the promotion of impartial and useful
public service. What the mana gers may
10 for themselves and for those who
make business Of drawing public
salaries Is OF minor Importance and
should be held in subordination to the
things bearing directly upon the pub
lie welfare. What men may say OF
their personal need is not important
The paramount question relates to
What they may be capable Of doing
'cr the public good. Under this rule
every place In the civil service will be
considered on merit. ard all along the
line, from the top of the ladder to It's
loot. the consideration of service will
take precedence over the consideration
Of salary. 1t Is highly important In the
public service to subordinate selfish
ness, in whatever direction it's appetite
may run. to the nobility Of serving to
the one end that integrity may prevail
and the benefits of good governme nt
TO the extent possible he equitably dis
tributed. That progress is being made
despite the shams Of pretenders and
the eloquent noises of demagogs, there
Is abundant reason to believe.
The progress observable Is the best
evidence that the people rule. What
ever criticism may be passed upon the
masses. it rem aims to be said that they
are quick to distinguish between right
and wrong and that their ideals, 30 far
as they have ideals, are wholly on the
side OF right. Their Judgment IL rare
fed by the fact that their paramount
interest IL In results wholly related to
the general benefit. They even may not
apply high standards to the government
Of themselves, but separated from their
selfishness they are quick to apply hish
standards to the government Of men
commissioned In the public service.
The hope Of the world ID in this In
tuitive recognition Of moral obligation
Under exposure Of wrong doing men in
public life are speedily made acquaint-
ed with tho overwhelming power Of
the best ideals.
It 10 never safe for any man In pub
lie station to violate his consciouaneos
Of what "a right under tho theory. Of
popular Indifference. He may win for
time. but in the end he will surely
lose. What is true OF the individual is
true IN larger sense OF the party. Il
Is we'll to consider, therefore the weight
OF responsibility that rests upon men
advanced to leadership in the organized
movements OF the people to maintain
and better civil government.
1t is expected Of man In the public
service that he will be loyal to his
friends. but 1t never should be expected
OF him that he Will be loyal 10 his
friends at the cost Of disloyalty to him
self. First Of all he should be the serv-
ant Of his best ideals. II he can not
serve in this relation he should deem II
distinction to be retired. There II
no real honor for any man in any sta
ton where he can not honor himself
1t 10 unfortunate that there n so
much dtstrust Of the Leadership OF tho
great political organizations which
govern the country 1t IL unpleasant to
note that the Ynistrust Is easily direct
ed toward men down the line who may
be said to be "in politics" They are
the men In whom there should be
greatest faith. They are the men who
should carry the standards Of living to
the greatest heights. The need 10 for
men Of ability. for men Of moral cour-
age. ana FOR men possessed Of the zen
uine spirit OF self sacrifice