Page:Back to the Republic.djvu/160

 their party finally triumphed and rendered great service to the Republic. Experience has shown that the tendency of political parties, as they advance in years, has been to try to survive on the weaknesses of other parties, instead of striving to live on their own strength; and for the managers of political parties to become cowardly opportunists instead of leaders with real convictions; to become demagogues rather than statesmen. The leaders in all of our political parties during recent years have given too much time and thought to the question, How can we win; and too little to the question, How can we serve the Republic. In the selection of candidates the leaders have considered too much the question, Will the candidate take orders; and too little the question, Is the candidate well qualified. The leaders have been guided in their selection of candidates too much by the question, Can the candidate be used; and too little by the question, For what does the candidate stand. Candidates who are the strongest on promise are generally the weakest on performance. Candidates with the longest platforms of isms and class appeal are generally the shortest on achievement for the public good. The purpose of a political party should be to