first of a number of plans for removing - certain specific
causes for discontent and ended finally with this general
statement: We recommend all citizens who have the good of
the nation at heart to support for office only candidates
of individuality, force, and strength of character, and that
it be our constant aim in national affairs to make our name
stand out in history for all that is fair, just, and noble in
purpose.
Every true American, also, would dp well to heed this
general resolution proposed by the wise citizens of our im
aginary nation ot frogs, for the evil indicated exists and it
can be wiped out only by independent action on the part of
men who will work and labor for the good of their country.
Abraham Lincoln, without doubt the noblest example of the
kind of men who should occupy public office, recognized this
evil and expressed himself in this way:—“lf this government
of ours is ever utterly demoralized it will come from this in
cessant wriggling and struggle for office, which is a way to
live without work.” A half century and more has passed
since our great president uttered these words and yet can
we say that the condition of affairs is any better to-day than
it was then? When we consider what kind of men often hold
our county offices, men who have previously failed in every
thing they undertook, when we think what money can do to
ward sending a man to Congress and how commonly we hear
the question as to the degeneracy of the United States Sen
ate discussed, we must conclude that if there has been any
progress whatever, it has been in the wrong direction.
Everything else of this age is ad vancing with gigantic strides.
Shall our political life be the only thing that lags be
hind? The American people require a high standard in the
conduct or their national heroes, who, unless they live up
to it, are unmade as quickly as they are made—especially if
they have a tendency toward unpopular transactions in real
estate. Why not employ a like standard in reference to our