The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-18
CULVER AND THE IIILIPUTus>s.


legacy by long years of Republican admins
ration. There are at present more than score
II Investigations on foot into the alleged mis-
conduo1 Of trusts. government officials and the
onduct Of affairs in one way or another by the
ast majority. And tbe end does not seem to
save been reached. Every day some new
tilesed abuse Of authority or misconduct OF
afice is presented and retcrrcd to the proper
-1ammittec fer Investigation.
The whole situation is one that brings shame
10 clean minds. patriotic citizens every where I
aud one that inevitably suggests again the ola
question as 10 the superiority OF the Republican
form Of government. Il has long been asserted
N some quarters that the political corruption
and graft, so conspicuous in the life of our large
municipalities, and the ability Of political
losses aad@machines to dominate govern
tnent, demonstrate this failure OF Republican in
situations. We think not. Ne believe in the
lght of the people 10 govern themselves through
their chosen representatives and We further be
aeve in the capacity Of the American people for
self-government American citizenship is In.
aegcnt patriotic and honest and for them the
representative form Of government is ideally
adapted TO the spirit and needs Of the nation
Ne have doubt that Republican principles
8ould have hong ago demonstrated their
serlority over the monarchy had the people
xercised their rights and employed their abili-
lies in the purposes OF government.
The weakness OF the situation. and the cause
or failure whore failure has been evident lie
n the fact that the people at large have failed
appreciate their power. and have failed TO
exercise their rights They have too often been
ignorant Of conditions. apathtic in the exercise
~ the suffrage, and blind in their servile
allegiance to political machines. This ignorance,
Indifference and lack of independence has re
suited in the development of great organiza-
tons, loud in their proclamation of patriotic
rinciples bat too frequently bent upon the
manipulation Of elections and the exploitation
Of resulting privilege and power for selfish and
orrupt purposes. Long continuance in the pos
session of power is or later to re-
nit in the abuse of power. shreWd. designing
INSCRIPTIONS men discern in political supre
macy a sure pathway to privilege power and
profit They therefore give themselves day in
and day out to the building Of political
machine, and government passes from the
realm OF high craftsmanship into the sphere OF
corrupt politics
This condition obtain when the
people are informed. alert and active The
heart Of the nation beats true and strong and
the viii Of the nation. when it gives itself ex
preston, will render lis choice upon the side o4
liberty. justice and right But the people often
permit themselves to be lulled by beautiful sen
tmonts into political slumber. and while they
steep they are bound and made captive to the
unworthy schemes Of self seeking politicians as
the giant CULVER was bound by the tiny
threads Of the I-iiltputians The grea{ danger
Of blind and unquestionng allegiance TO any
party is that the party itself may fail into the
hands OF inscriptions men and liz platform
become bat convenient temporary standing
place for men, who care nothing for its prin-
ciples but Who desire TO step from it into power
and the consequent opportunity for selfadvan-
tage The amentabe conditions of recent his
tory reveals not the failure of representative
government, hut uncoyers the danger of per-
hitting the reiEs Of government 70 Tall into
the hands Of political machines.
Ne recognize the necessity Of organization for
the triumphant progress of principles. The
friends oil movement stand but poor chance of
its successful accomplishment If their activities
be scattered. United and concentrated attack
lis the secret OF success SO long as this is the
!, end Of organization it is good. But while the
people sleep organization takes phase
and meaning. II OCCUPIES itself With political
manipulation, with the distribution OF spois;
with the development Of such cohesive strength
renders It absolutely Indifferent TO the will
of the people. Then the machine becomes a
distinct menace to the liberties and rights of the
people Then follows train of abuses and
scandal and such have huminated high
minded American citizens In recent years
This is OF the lessons that can easily be
learned from the conditions of the present
moment And another Is that when the PEG
pie awake. come TO the consciousness OF their
own responsibilities and resources demand
their rights, machine, however strongly in
irenched In public favor or power can survive.
The widespread unrest of the last few years.
spreading like prairie FIRE, has swept one
majority out OF power and substituted another
4 the hope 81 relief. and has transformed many
indinrent politician into a patriot ardent
nd enthusiastic in his purpose TO uncover the