ut that
subordination of each to the just claims of all, which law requires and
which it is the business of the state to enforce.

THE TEMPTATION.

+Organization involves a multitude of offices and public servants. Many
of these offices are less onerous and more lucrative than the average
man can find elsewhere. Many offices give a man an opportunity to
acquire dishonest gains.+--Hence arises the great political temptation
which is to seek office, not as a means of rendering useful and
honorable service to the country, but as a means to getting an easy
living out of the country, and at the public expense. The "spoils
system," which consists in rewarding service to party by opportunity to
plunder the country: which pays public servants first for their service
to party, and secondly for service to the country: which makes
usefulness to party rather than serviceableness to the country the basis
of appointment and promotion, is the worst evil of our political life.
"Public office is a public trust." Men who so regard it are the only men
fit for it. Office so held is one of the most honorable forms of service
which a man can render to his fellow-men. Office secured and held by the
methods of the spoils system is a disgrace to the nation that is corrupt
enough to permit it, and to the man who is base enough to profit by it.

THE VICE OF DEFECT.

+Betrayal of one's country and disregard of its interests is
treason.+--In time of war and revolution treason consists in giving
information to the enemy, surrendering forts, ships, arms, or
ammunition into his hands; or fighting in such a half-hearted way as to
invite defeat. Treason under such circumstances is the unpardonable sin
against country. The traitor is the most despicable person in the state;
for he takes advantage of the protection the state gives to him and the
confidence it places in him to stab and murder his benefactor and
protector.

The essential quality of treason is manifested in many forms in time of
peace. Whoever sacrifices the known interests of his country to the
interests of himself, or of his friends, or of his party, is therein
guilty of the essential crime of treason. Whoever votes for an
appropriation in order to secure for another man lucrative employment or
a profitable contract; whoever gives or takes money for a vote; whoever
increases or diminishes a tax with a view to the business interests, not
of the country as a whole, but of a few int