The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-06-25
Political Hypocrisy as
Seen by an Expert.

B
/ Some months ago the noted Wash
! ington correspondent, Samuel G.
Blythe, wrote an article for the Sat
urday Evening Post, entitled The
Price of Place" which was probably
the most perfect delineation of official
life at Westinghouse at least of
the life of the old school of politics
that had ever been written.
The Post Is now carrying another
story by Mr.. Blythe, entitled 1.-The
F'akers," which. as an entertaining
dissertation on modern political
methods and hypocrisy, is par excel
1ence.
The story centers about the anbi-
lions Of q young soldier of fortune
named Hicks who, as the protege of
Senator Paxton, a, successful politician
of the old school, starts out to make
name, fame and fortune as a demo-
crat in a middle western city that,
at the time Of the young mans advent
is solidly republican. From time to
time Hicks receives letters of advice
from his patron, Senator Paxton, and
here are few extracts from one of
the senator's letters:
Let me repeat to you that the great
secret of successful political speaking
is to tell the people what they already
know. Never venture on any I'M
clharted oratortcal seas. Give them
the old, familiar stuff, and they will
approve and applaud; but If you try
to tell them what they do not know
they will view your efforts with cold
suspicion.
Pc conventional Avoid navy avores
sions. 1t is the acme of folly to refer
to a working man otherwise than as
a horny landed son of toll. If you
speak of the flag otherwise than as
the star-spargled banner, you will be
introducing an innovation that will be
unwelcome and probably will react
against your party on election day.
How characteristic of the modern
politician is this How familiar to
our ears are the high sounding
phrases which the senator advises his
young friend to utilize. And here fol-
lows some others that are even more
familiar:
1t is imperative that you should
never view except with alarm nor
point except with pride Furthermore,
you must always assert without fear
of successful contradiction, condemn
in unrneasured terms, challenge the
statement, shy your castor in the ring,
issue a def, lock horns with, stamp
as unworthy. measure swords with,
hew to the line. declare 1t is a. de-
Hberate and malicious falsehood.
show neither fear nor favor, remark in
passing, nail the lie, have your atten-
ton called, demand to see the books,
turn on the light, insist the rascals
shall be turned out, give an account
ing of your stewardship, make clear
the issues, express sublime faith in
the wisdom, patriotism and business
of the people. and say this is the
greatest Republic on which the sun
ever shone.
Who of us is there who has not
heard and read these same express
sive terms ever since we heard our
first political speech or read our first
report of a political convention? Con-
tinufng, this same master pen writes
into the letter of Senator Paxton;
AS you are a Democrat you may go
as far as you like with Thomas JET
ferson. Also uphold the Constitution,
lambaste the trust octopi for hours
and hours and assault the money
devil and Wall Street and Lombard
Street 1t Is always safe to Jump on
the criminal rich and never neces-
sary to name names. The broad, gem
eric term criminal rich" will answer,
ana you can get an uoCL out OL L4idL
topic any time.
Soak all trusts Again It is I'M
necessary to name names and you
need not refer to the trusts that en-
ploy men in your district and per-
chance may be contributing to your
party funds. AS you have factories in
ReXtow1. you must be strong for
union labor and the rights Of work
ingmen. When you get out in the
country never fail to call the farmers
the hardy yeOmanry who are the bull
wark and safeguard of the nation.
Always refer to the ladies, God
bless EN-" end throw in few fowery
sentences about the children who are
the future guardians OF the safety OF
the Republic.
Choose your anecdotes carefully. Do
not use any new ones. Tell the good.
old. time-t-ied ones, and you will get
your laughs at the proper places. Do
not be sarcastic, for the people viii
think you mean what you say, being
of a literal turn OF mind.
Again, the people. the dear COM
mon people, are the most fruitful
topic in the world for political elo-
ouence. They need constant attention
and tribute. Any politician who neg
lects the people Will be neglected by
the people. They know how good
they ara-the people do-and desire to
be told about il COntantly.
Just how faithfully young Hicks fol-
lows these instructions remains to be
seen, but If he adheres to them we can
see him climbing the political ladder
about four or five rungs at a jump
and he should ultimately land in the