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By Ralph Waldo Emerson, excerpted from The Political Emerson : Essential Writings on Politics and Social Reform, 2004, David M. Robinson, Editor, and used by permission of Beacon Press.
Editor David M. Robinson writes in the introduction to "Fortunes of the Republic," the essay in which the below appeared: "It is [here] that Emerson offers his clearest and most forthright statement on the link between ethics and politics, a remarkable declaration that the processes of democracy are not ends in themselves, but that the means to achieving just legislation."
While Emerson is speaking of slavery and the Civil War, the issues of morality and politics are no less applicable today, especially in light of upcoming local, state and national elections.
 ...The end of all political struggle, is, to establish morality as the basis of all legislation. 'Tis not free institutions, 'tis not a republic, 'tis not a democracy, that is the end, -- no, but only the means: morality is the object of government. We want a state of things in which crime will not pay, a state of things which allows every man the largest liberty compatible with the liberty of every other man.
The guiding star to the arrangement and use of facts, is in your leading thought. You will have to come to the perception that justice satisfies everybody, and justice alone. You will stand there for vast interests; North and South, East and West will be present to your mind, and your vote will be as if they voted.
And you well know that your vote secures the foundations of the state, and good will, and liberty, and security of traffic and of production, and mutual increase of good will in the great interests, for no monopoly has been foisted in, no weak party or nationality has been sacrificed, no coward compromise has been conceded to a strong partner. Every one of these is seed of vice, war, and national disorganization.
In seeing this guidance of events, in seeing this felicity without example, that has rested on the Union thus far, -- I find new confidence for the future. I could heartily wish that our will and endeavor were more active parties to the work. But I see all directions the light breaking; that trade and government will not alone be the favored aims of mankind, but every useful, every elegant art, every imagination, the height of Reason, the noblest affection, the purest religion will find their house in our institutions, and write our laws for the benefit of man.
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