Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-08-19
What Next?

In recent eQltOrlel the COluEnpie
Record quotes ex-senator McLaurir
as saying that when a man had failed
in making a success in his own tusi'
ness, that he generally went to writine
insurance or into politics. The editor
then went on to say that this was. ar
"aphorism only partly true" that there
were many able men in politics ane
insurance.
Mr.. McLaurin would no doubt agree
with the Record, because he was doint
the same thing the Record was, calling
attention to lack of real ability II
jpublic life.
The Record was illustrating b!
pointing out the small calibre Of the
men seeking Levers place in the
Seventh District. There are congress
sional races in both the Seventh and
Sixth Districts, and in our opinion, moi
single man in either contest, Is fitted
by his knowledge or experience, to be
of value in the crisis which now con-
fronts the nation. Men Of affairs and
training are~not willing to endure the
campaigns as conducted. and If they
did could not be elected, without re.
sorting to methods which are distaste-
full.
In this state, it is bitterly distress
ing to think Of the incompetence In
high places, and the chicanery practic-
ed to get there. Congress instead OF
being a blessing, Is cursed with men
who are not equal to the duty with
which they are charged. and yet South
Carolina will add two more to the
ranks Of the incompetent.
We are particularly struck with re-
mark, recently made by Frank A. Van
derlip:
1T appears that half the woes of the world
were occasioned by economic ignorance, and II
seems that most of the other half could be
traced to selfish political ambition. And SO this
is the lesson that have learned. that has dom.
mated all else. 1t Is the crime Of all crimes
most far reaching in its effect, the crime which
involves more harm to innocent people than
any other in the whole category OF human
frailty, is the crime of the abuse Of the priv.
lege to serve.
"A thief may injure him from whom he
steals. murderer cuts short single life
Those crimes are as nothing compared to the
uncomprehended crime public official COM
mits in permitting personal ambition or ignor-
ance to blind him to his public duties"
These are the words of man who is
retiring from active affairs. who was
assistant secretary Of the treasury and
late president Of the National City
bank.
The Record may well ask the ques-
ton does the world need turning over
Shall we let fools govern or shall
they be made servitors?
Is a complete reversal the logical
mandate?
Shall we be free from the curse OF
incompetence?
When we realize conditions, and re-
fleet on the history Of the United
States, we look on the Washington
government in bewildered amasement.
We see no genius for economics, no
master Of finance, no great statesmen
like those of the past, with the high
intelligence in applied economics, keep
ing the nation prosperous In sweet
peace. We look in vain for that hand
in statecraft playing its talents in the
sound arts Of craftsmanship.
All are playing politics, cheap. petty
politics. Beyond the personal passion
to rule and exercise power, there is alb
solutely nothing. The god Of personal
aggrandizement Is the only light pene-
trating their peanut souls. All are big
for themselves and incomprehensively
small for all else.
Here we are in the throes Of an ines
capable national rebirth> but stupid
doctors forbid the child to see the light
Of day, not realizing that by. this prac-
tice the mother faces death and the
child strangulation.
Is chaos coming to claim its own
The Republican party, born from Sec
tional jealousy, has run its course, and
is now without cohesive integrity and
concrete principles, and when the
Democratic party resorts to price fix
ing'' it is sailing the high seas without
rudder, chart or compass. Is the
country to be ruled, by those blatant
ly seeking to administer affairs, with
out self-governing principles and con-
victions?
Is it impossible to find another
George Washington?
Is it asking too much for another
Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln or
Grover Cleveland?
Cannot Almighty God send us just
one more Andrew Jackson or Theodore
Roosevelt?