Nine men out of every ten today—who would likely become affiliated
with the new party—will, when questioned as to their political belief,
generally preface their remarks by declaring, “I am a radical.” Why not
give them an opportunity to say it with a capital R?
The Radical Party; a Radical; Radical measures; Radicalism.
Not so many years ago the suggestion of this name would have aroused a
storm of protest—but it is different today. Then a radical was looked
upon as a rash man, if not, indeed, a revolutionist. Men coveted the
distinction of being regarded as conservative. To put a radical in an
important public office, as Governor, for instance, would “drive capital
out of the State.” Only a “con-ser-r-va-tive” (how they did roll that r)
could prevent things from going to the demnition bow-wows.
Today it is almost criminally libelous to call a man “safe and sane,”
so great a change has come over the public mind. The words “radical”
and “conservative” have come to be understood in a new light. The
new meanings have quite obscured the old. A “conservative” is looked
upon today as the beneficiary, as principal or agent, of some special
privilege—franchise, tariff tax and the like—which gives him the
power to absorb wealth produced by others, without rendering an
equivalent therefor. Naturally, he desires to “conserve” this unfair
advantage—for civilization has by no means eliminated the wolf in man—and
is, therefore, opposed to radical change. He is a conservative, a
stand-patter, a let-well-enough-aloner.
I make no claim of altruism for the radical, and am inclined to look
with suspicion upon the man who prates overmuch about doing everything
for others and nothing for himself. Self-preservation is the first law
of Nature, and man hasn’t learned how to repeal it. Besides, it isn’t
necessary, even if we knew how. But there is selfishness and selfishness.
Conservative selfishness means to build up one’s self at the expense of
others; radical selfishness has for its motto, “Live and let live.” In
other words, by promoting the general welfare, I can best advance my own
interests.
But, for the sake of argument, let us admit that men are alike in
their selfishness; that all are wolfish, whether conservative or
radical. Common sense teaches us that only a comparative few can be the
beneficiaries of special privileges. If we all possessed equal powers
to rob, conferred by legislation, the result would be about the same as
though none of us possessed such powers. The former alternative is, of
course, impossible; for a special privilege would cease to be such if
made general. But the latter is possible. Let us frankly confess that the
radical would be a conservative if he could become the beneficiary of a
special privilege. Given the opportunity, I feel sure he would act much
as other legalized robbers do.
I believe we have indulged in too much denunciation of the beneficiaries
of special privileges, the legalized plunderers, and paid too little
attention to the criminal ignorance of the great majority who permit
themselves to be robbed. I believe we should admit that the masses have
acted as “them asses”—and resolve to quit playing the fool. That’s why I
suggest the name Radical for the new party. It means a going to the root
of the trouble and uprooting it. It means a change which will hurt the
pride of a few, because they can no longer hoodwink and rob their tens of
thousands under guise of law—a change which will benefit the pockets of
the many, because they will no longer be picked by legal enactment.
And this would be a radical change. Let it be made by a Radical party.
_A Wild Enthusiast_
“He——?”
“Oh, he is the kind of a chap that would try to blow up a balloon with
baking-powder.”
_Unfinished_
Johnny—Mamma, I was having such a nice dream when I woke up.
MAMMA—Were you?
Johnny—Yes. I wish there was some way I could go ahead with that dream.
_The Municipal Boss_