Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-09-04
THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT
AND POLITICS.

|
correspondent of the w. C. T. u: in
Manchester, which is strictly fol
progression and reform, i base my
article, as this subject is an establish
ed characteristic of the age.
The spirit Of reform, which with
resistless power is now moving the
great heart of humanity, is ulti-
mately seeking an outward manifesto
ton in the formation Of a progress
sive party, in which there are to be
no conflicting interests, but where
internal freedom and purity shall
constitute the standard of human
worth, and the position and office OF
the individual shall correspond with
his development and ability.
The curtain is rising and we feel
that we are just about to enter on
a new stage of action along temper
ance reform lines. as well as polit-
ical reformations. but we have an
Inherent faith, an undying hope, that
mans better nature is now progress
sing toward that high condition which
is fit type of the new life that lies
beyond the boundary of this transit
tory existence.
Are we too sanguine when we ut
ter this hope for the future? Is it
true that mans better nature is ever
to be crushed down and stifled by
the selfish degrading antagonisms
that have distracted society for long,
long ages past? Is there no bright
spot this side of the dark river, tow
ard which mortals can stretch their
longing gaze, and descry the New
Atlantis, and be at peace? Doubt
not Progress and development are
defining mans rights and his du-
ties. Wealth is cesaing to Ee all
in all; instead Of the accumulations
of vast heaps of earthly dust, trea-
sure's will be laid up, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt. #"
Great movements are now in pro-
gress among politicians, designed to
have an important bearing on the
next struggle for the presidency. To
calm observer}o of the various moves
now taking place on the political
chess board, there is ample room to
study the motives and tendencies OF
the human mind, in its present misdi'
rected state, both in an Individual
and aggregate point OF view. The
great propelling power is evidently
self love, a desire Of SELF exalta-
ton. Politicians, who are most con
spicuous in the agitations now TAX
ing place, are men having a sharp
eye to their own private Interests
Think you that love of country lies
at the bottom of the mock enthusi-
asm with which certain individuals
and combinations are at present sc
violently seized? Think you the;
will fail to remind their favorite pres
idential candidate, should he succeed
|that they were his Original" and
earliest friends? Should the ques,
ton be asked why they became sc
| early the Jealous and active friends
| Of the object Of their particular
choice, think you the true answer
would be, Because we loved ou'
country, its institutions and mankind
and because we sincerely thought hir
best calculated to subserve the hi2h
lest interests of humanity Thinl
you not the more candid response
would be, "We desired to be first II
the field, to forestall the less &C
tive, to bring forward the most avail
able candidate, and in the end, real
| rich harvest Of individual emolumen
and personal distinction" This ha!
tcome to be. Necessary game il
politics, and If we did not avail our
selves of it, others would" Suc1
is the principle upon which our i'm
portant national political movement.
have come to be conducted; and the
fact is palpable and evident to the
most superficial observer. In fact
it is well understood by the great
mass of the people of our country
|yet tacit consent is yielded to it
las though it were a necessary con
cession to human frailty.
Now we protest. We are in the
midst of an enlightened era; when
holier motives and incentives should
animate the movements of politica'
combinations in our favored country
in whose hands are placed momen-
tous human interests, and to whom
the world is looking for guidance and
example In the name of Heaven,
we ask, is human nature sunk so low
as to see no virtue beyond the graft
fication of self; no higher principle
of action than personal exaltatlon,
at whatever cost to our fellow as
sociates in the great drama of this
lower life. We cannot believe it.
Soberly and in good faith, we believe
we are justified by the foreshadow-
ing of coming events, in speaking
topic. A new field, We believe, is
soon to be opened, which will change
the whole aspect of human society.
The struggles of men after wealth,
after earthly place and distinction.
after vain fashions and transitory gee
gaws, will be exchanged for far high
er and far nobler aspirations. Our
convictions are strong on this point.
We shall await the revealments of
the future with patience and faith.
But we hear you say, "what has
all this to do with the presidency
This: We hope in the 1912 campaign
that no great military achievements,
cunning and art as politician, nor
any of the elements of success which
have heretofore blinded the multitude,
will control the selection; but he
who stands foremost in the ranks of