Arizona republican., 1922-04-29
Parties and Proars..

interesting fact was brought out in an inter-
view with Judge Watson OF Ashland Kentucky
printed by The Republican this morning, in which
he described the new birth of Kentucky: its indus
trial and civic development through the cooperation
Of members of both parties, cooperation not of
partisans but of Kentuckans. who by accident are
some Democrats and some Republicans Though
himself Democrat by tradition he believes the
progress recently made by Kentucky is attributable
the that it is so evenly balanced that either
party dares not introduce politics into any question
which affects the states progress.
That is a condition which We believe will ulti-
mately prevail throughout the country to the great
advantage of everybody except professional poiiti
clans large and small. The names Republican and
Democrat will to be fetiches which they have
become now, and nothing more. There must,
though in the nature of things always be two par
ties for will differ on vital matters as they have
done in all ages and in all countries. But they
should not and they have never differed long over
matters which are not vital Politics always comes
to be separated from tradition but 1t Is not yet
so separated in America, though the separation is
plainly coming about.
We shall some time cease to have political patron
saints. We will. though continue to revere Jeffer-
Jackson and Lincoln. but not as leaders of par
ties. but who espoused great principles and
performed great achievements as the heads of par
ties they then temporarily aligned hut whose
alignment was subsequently lost
The identity Of party has been maintained in
America longer than in any other country. 1t has
been shortyed in Great Britain for instance as well
in every other country. There are though, in all
countries two great parties. which take such
names as conservative and radical or names Of COR
respo sfe
by tradition are thrown into them by habits of
thought. The parties themselves change as to poll
ees but the people do not always change with them
The people do not consider what is best for the
but what is best for the country. There par
ties made instruments for government; here gov
ernment is the prize for party contests.
Office has become the curse of our government
and the is fortunately becoming heavy that
it is breaking down the present party system which
will be followed by another in which the names Of
the parties will possess some significance. "Repub-
lican" and Democrat do not now Not one mem.
Der of either party in ten knows why the party to
which he belongs is so-caled. To the average man
a democratic form ef government means the same
as a republican form of government AS matter
of fact, the period within which the names were at
all significant very brief and both of them
never had significance at the same time One might
as well have been called August and the other
January"
When we cease to regard the offices as prizes
for individuals. we will have advanced in govern
ment: when we shall have no more party machines
made up OF advocates and friends of candidates for
offices from sdog- catcher up to president Then we
may begin consider elections what is the best
sor the county, the state. and the Unio.-
ana those things We viii vote upon,