They have grown old in the belief that money has the
right to rule, and they can never understand the point of view of the
men who recognize in the corrupt political activity of a railroad or a
trust a most dangerous kind of treason to government by the people.
When party leaders go wrong, it requires a high sense of public duty,
true courage, and a strong belief in the people for a man in politics to
take his future in his hands and stand against them.
The black shadow of party regularity as the supreme test in public
affairs has passed away from the public mind. It is a great deliverance.
The man in the street no longer asks about a measure or a policy merely
whether it is good Republican or good Democratic doctrine. Now he asks
whether it is honest, and means what it says, whether it will promote
the public interest, weaken special privilege, and help to give every
man a fair chance. If it will, it is good, no matter who proposed it. If
it will not, it is bad, no matter who defends it.
It is a greater thing to be a good citizen than to be a good Republican
or a good Democrat.
The protest against politics for revenue only is as strong in one party
as in the other, for the servants of the interests are plentiful in
both.
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