Colleges and Public Life 75 



realize that he can not do his best, either in the 

 study of politics or in applied politics unless he has 

 a working knowledge of both branches. A limited 

 number of people can do work by the careful study 

 of govermental institutions, but they can do it only 

 if they have themselves a practical knowledge of the 

 workings of these institutions. A very large num- 

 ber of people, on the other hand, may do excellent 

 work in politics without much theoretic knowledge 

 of the subject; but without this knowledge they can 

 not rise to the highest rank, while in any rank their 

 capacity to do good work will be immensely increased 

 if they have such knowledge. 



There are certain other qualities, about which 

 it is hardly necessary to speak. If an educated man 

 is not heartily American in instinct and feeling and 

 taste and sympathy, he will amount to nothing in 

 our public life. Patriotism, love of country, and 

 pride in the flag which symbolizes country may be 

 feelings which the race will at some period outgrow, 

 but at present they are very real and strong, and the 

 man who lacks them is a useless creature, a mere 

 incumbrance to the land. 



A man of sound political instincts can no more 

 subscribe to the doctrine of absolute independence 

 of party on the one hand than to that of unquestion- 

 ing party allegiance on the other. No man can ac- 

 complish much unless he works in an organization 

 with others, and this organization, no matter how 

 temporary, is a party for the time being. But that 

 man is a dangerous citizen who so far mistakes 



