“devil of partisanship” everywhere manifests
itself in American politics, and so far from trying
to exterminate it we encourage it by supporting
persons of disreptuable character for party sake.
The cry, “Mr. Morrisey—the Hon. John Morri
sey, prize-fighter, professional gambler, and hon
orable member of congress,” is not at all exag
gerated.
The questions, “Is this man honest?” “Is he
patriotic?” are less often asked by the bosses,
than “Can he carry the district?” The man
who can pay the “bosses” well for their services
and who can in return make enough out of his
office to remunerate himself is the one for whom
they will work.
It is no uncommon thing to hear persons re
mark : “I belong to the Republican party.” “I
belong to the Democratic party.” Yes, they
do belong. They are the very poodles of the
party around whose necks are collars branded
“penny.” It is essential for good government
for persons to have a high regard for party ties,
but when the “political problem” is lost sight of
party ties should be broken and the freedom
which our forefathers sacrificed so much for to
establish should be exercised to the furtherance
of their ideas. The manner in which political
campaigns are conducted is below the dignity of
this great nation. You may gather all the ribald
ry of political campaigns, in one year in despotic
Europe, and it will not equal the filthy and ob
scene indulgences of the press and platform dur
ing a presidential campaign in this country. The
most vulgar, imputent and least conscientious
man is the typical politician. The conduct at
many of our open political meetings is simply
outrageous. Language is used and stories told
that would shock the speaker were he to hear
them when the campaign is over. It seems to be
a national custom to consider everything “fair in
politics.” The political slanderer is not regard
ed as such after election day, but is left to re
plenish his supply of political harangue for the
next campaign. There are scores of good men
TfHE FREE LANCE.
who would gladly enter the political arena for a
contest were the truth and nothing but the truth
to be the weapon of their opponents, but such is
rarely the case. “Truth crushed to earth will
rise again,” but it seldom rises until the contest
is over. What patriotic citizen can recall the re
cent campaigns in Texas and Tennessee, where
the liquor interests were backed by millions of
dollars and Jeff Davis, without indignation ?
What is needed more than anything else in
this country is more enthusiasm on the part of
the good people, and more independent thinking
in politics. Make voting compulsory, especially
at primaries. Let the dirt of past campaigns fall
but let the disgust live to remind us when the
temptation returns. Nobody is better, wiser or
happier for all the scandals of past politics. Ben
efits derived from them on one side offset those
on the other, like two successive torch light pro
cessions, with their pyrotechnics, leave nothing
but their bad smell in the air.
G. J. Thomas,
Editor of The Free Lance.
My Dear Sir : Ido hereby resign the bus
iness management of The Free Lance, to take
effect December 31st, 1887. * * * It is with
great reluctance that I now tender this resigna
tion, but other matters require my attention. * *
I beg to submit the following statement as show
ing the financial condition of The Free Lance
at the present time :
After deducting the amount sufficient to meet
the expense of publishing the remaining seven
issues for the present college year, there will be a
balance of at least $lOO. With the best wishes
for the success and prosperity of The Free
Lance, I remain,
—
A CARD .
Cash on hand
Ainountdno on or hoforo Juno 80 1888
T0ta1....
Respectfully yours,
Jno. F. L. Morris.
J s. w,
..4110 07
... J4l fiO
#:kjo 57