The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-01-14
THE DEMOCRATIC
BANQUET

showed the caliber OF the men who
spoke. 1t showed their breadth of
thought or lack of it. 1t showed to
some extent the breadth of thought
of those applauding what was said.
Some of them suggested that other
similar gatherings should be held,
and that would probably be well.
Some of them suggested that the
Democrats are progressive and we
suggest that, II that is true, and we
hope 1t is, frequent gatherings to
study and discuss matters of state
might soon bring them up to the ex-
change OF lofty sentiments and to adj
vocate things useful and practical.
At the time referred TO the speak
ers were at a disadvantage on ac-
count of their being limited to i've
minutes each. BY the time speaker
allows for starting and stopping he
can only mention few minor mat
ters in what there is left of five min
utes. Then too, a mans second eff
fort can always be more deliberate
and effective than his first. The same
speakers could take similar subjects
tomorrow night and say something
more valuable and get beneath the
surface and 1t is deeper and more
sober reflection that is needed.
1t is poor food for patriots to
simply tell them that we are it; and
that If we merely get together and
stand united that we can win by
sheer force of numbers. That does
not show who is right or why. It is
poor cultivation of the intellect to
boast If we win the next election we
will invoke the strong arm of the
courts to send more men to prison
just because it suits our convenience
or taste to believe that because they
are political opponents they must
necessarily be guilty of something,
Notwithstanding we have been un-
able to find it. 1t is poor develop
ment of our faculties to go on in
bombast and say that because COM
munity or an administration had a
Judas, or two or three pucn among
them, that all Of them should be con-
demned and consigned to infamy be-
cause Of the sins of the two or three
II is not sign of constructive states
manship or of ability to legislate or
to govern properly TO say that we
shall win a certain election just be-
cause the opposing forces are fighting
among themselves. II Democracy
has merit, IL it has the right theory
of what should be, why not advocate
that because it is right, and let the
fuss in the other party go on. The
mere fact of their fussing does not
prove that some other party is right.
IL Democracy has but one man who
is great enough to fill position, and
other parties have plenty of them
and engage in test of strength to
see which is the most fit, the mere
fact that Democracy joins unanimous
~ on it's one possibility does not
prove him greater than the others;
1t merely indicates that there ought
to be other giants to cooperate with
him or to carry his work If some
thing happens to him.
In their speeches Saturday even
ing local Democracy merely boasted
and bantered. 1t was like the prac-
tice before the umpire says play
ball. 1t is when all get into the
game that the wholesome test begins.
Democracy did nice social stunt
Saturday evening. They broke the
Ice Of political discussion. They
should break more ice and get below
the surface of things. They should
get down to things practical and ex-
press ideas broad and lofty and
worthy of acting upon when We con-
gider the results and their relation
Is friends and those who are other
peoples friends, for this is a big
country with diversified interests. IT
this diversity that makes it great,
and Republicans have always twitted
Democracy with being so narrow they
we're unable to legislate broad
enough for all to live and prosper
Speaking of local men and their
ability or lack of it we are curious
to know whether 81 local Republi-
cans could be gotten together at a.
similar event who would draw and
travel any better than the 81 Demo
Gratis did, and whether they too
would be capable Of improving as
they went down the line. Frankly,
we have a very. ordinary lot of poll
ticians in our county, and all could
AFFORD to study and brush up more
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