From the traditional American point of view, it was far more important to get the safe candidates elected than it was to use the power so obtained for any useful political achievement.

In the hands of unsafe men,--that is, one's political opponents,--the government might be perverted to dangerous uses, whereas in the hands of safe men, it could at best merely be preserved in safety.

Misgovernment was a greater danger than good government was a benefit, because good government, particularly on the part of Federal officials, consisted, apart from routine business, in letting things alone.

Thus the furious interest, which the good American took in getting himself and his associates elected, could be justified by reasons founded on the essential nature of the traditional political system.
The good American democrat had, of course, another political duty besides that of securing the election of himself and his friends.

His political system was designed, not merely to deprive him of grievances, but to offer him superlative opportunities.