The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-11-20
POLITICS AND PATRIOTISM.

The true principles and the right
practice of American politics were
never better presented than they were
by Will H. Hays, chairman of the Re-
publican National Committee, in his
address to the Republican editors of
Illinois at Springfield on a recent ev-
ening. 1t was party address, deliv-
cred by the head of the party organi-
cation, but it was broader and higher
than any party; as broad, in fact, as
the whole sweep of America and as
high as the ideals that have made
America what it is. 1t was a party
address, yet if any Democrat could
read it without approval of its general
principles then, we say, there is some
thing lacking in his Americanism. For
Mr.. Hays made very clear, impress
sively clear, the fact we so often for
get, that the sole purpose of a party
is service, that it is only a means
to an end, not an end in itself, and
that unless it justifes itself by its
conduct and its deeds it has failed in
its mission and is unworthy of sup
port. We are too prone to think that
the measures of party success is the
election of party candidates, but that
is only the peoples commission. The
thing that counts comes afterward. Il
say that successful political party's
objective" said Mr.. Hays, sis a rec
ord of the faithful discharge of a sa-
cred contractual obligation to the peo-
pie. There is but one kind of success
full politics, and that is the politics Of
faithful, efficient and honest admin
istration.'
The political party is an instru-
ment. But VINO makes the instrument
and with what material is it construc-
ted? There is much easy condemna-
ton of politicians" and of "practical
politics" but who is to blame if these
men and these methods are often not
what they should be? Mr.. Hays told
characteristic story Of Roosevelt,
who, when a very young man, made
ready to attend a ward political meet
ing. Some Of his family objected tell
ing him he ought not to mix with the
class of people he would meet there.
They are the governing class" said
Roosevelt, "and you are not, because
they will and you won't" Dishonest
politicians and corrupt politics would
not exist if the people did not permit
= them to exist. Il plead for a patriot
ism in peace as we'll as in war;" said
Mr.. Hays. Let US have the patriot
ism which move men to make their
countrys welfare their own business
and in prosaic times Of peace interest
themselves continually in the practi-
cal politics Of their community Good
government is possible in no other
way. GOvernment'function
through individuals These individu-
ais are elected through the processes
VI n az I'l''4 pol''io'' a 'ei"o',~e "l'11ii
'e'iiiio' NC. "Noiueu' we can nave "e'-
ter government only if we interest
ourselves in politics.in the selection of
those to whom this government is en-
trusted, in having thought and voice
in its operati9n. and in making our
countrv's affairs orr own business +"
That we saw. is not only practical
politics, il is prac0eal patriotism.
Parties have no virtue in themselves
save as thew draw virtue from their
adberents. Principles are of no value
unless they are applied. There IS moth
ing sacred in a label. Nor can govern
ment be operated by memories. A