“But I don’t feel that all this radicalism is a passing phase.  It’s eating deeply into the Republicans too.  We’re on the eve of a revival of patriotism, and party names don’t mean what they did.  But I believe the Democratic Party is still the best hope of the people, even when the people go clean off their heads.”

“You believe in Democracy, but you doubt sometimes whether the Democratic Party is really the custodian of the true faith of Democracy—­is that it?”

“That’s exactly it.  And my young Republican friends feel the same way about their party.”

“Well, I guess I stand about where you do.  I believe in parties.  I don’t think there’s much gained by jumping around from one party to another; and independent movements are as likely to do harm as good.  I don’t mind confessing to you that I had a good notion to join the Democratic schism in ’96, and support Palmer and Buckner.  But I didn’t, and I’m not sorry I kept regular and held on.  I believed the silver business would pass over; and it’s out of sight.  They charged me with voting the Republican ticket in ’96; but that’s a lie.  I’ve never scratched a ticket since I first voted, and”—­Bassett smiled his grim smile—­“I’ve naturally voted for a good many rascals.  By the way, how much are you seeing of Atwill?”

“I make a point of seeing him once a week or oftener.  When I’m downtown at night I usually catch him for a late supper.”

“The ‘Courier’ is regular, all right enough.  It’s a good property, and when our party gets through chasing meadow-larks and gets down to business again it will be more valuable.  Was that your editorial yesterday on municipal government?  Good.  I’m for trying some of these new ideas.  I’ve been reading a lot of stuff on municipal government abroad, and some of those foreign ideas we ought to try here.  I want the ‘Courier’ to take the lead in those things; it may help”—­and Bassett smiled—­“it may help to make the high brows see that ours has really been the party of progress through these years when it’s marched backward.”

Bassett swung round slowly until his gaze fell upon the map, reminding the young man of Thatcher’s interest in that varicolored oblong of paper.  Dan had never mentioned Thatcher’s visit to the office, feeling that if the capitalist were really the bold man he appeared to be, he would show his hand to Bassett soon enough.  Moreover, Harwood’s confidence in Bassett’s powers had never wavered; in the management of the paper-mill receivership the senator from Fraser had demonstrated a sagacity and resourcefulness that had impressed Dan anew.  Bassett possessed, in unusual degree, the astuteness and executive force of the successful American business man, and his nice feeling for the things that interest cultivated people lifted him far above the common type of political boss.  Dan had yet to see a demonstration of Bassett’s political venality; the bank and his other interests at Fraserville were profitable.  It must be a craving for power, not money, Dan reasoned, that led Bassett into politics.  Bassett turned to his desk with some letters he had taken from his pocket.  It occurred to Dan that as Mrs. Owen had suggested that he accompany Sylvia to Montgomery, it would be well to mention the possibility of his leaving town for a day.