Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-11
FOR THE ENQUIRER.


There is no surer evidence Of the decline Of nation
in the scale of morals and elevated political character
than the means employed by those who would attain to
honorable distinction TO effect that purpose. The time
was, when public men selected because Of their
eminent abilities and high moral worth but at this day
1t 10 too frequent that he only is esteemed worthy Of
public confidence, who is regarded as being most soca
bile IN his habits, and indscrimnate in his associations
To win popular favor the usprant must be obsequous
and condesceEdIng in his department; tnd in the Sc
lection of his friends must have regard the tastes
feelings and associations of those whose confidence he
would gam: on the other hand those who have TO
ercise the responsible duties Of electors, not su
GENTLY look to the fitness Of individual for any place
he may seek, and otter 10 further than the simple fact
that he is what is usually termed good fellow. In
these causes, we have at least some Of the fruitful
sources of that obvious falling off in the talents and
elevated character OF our public functonares On the
one hand the people are caoed and on the Other the
aspirants are fawnng, servile and weak.
In former times, men expected promotion, be-
cause CT their obvious superiority, and therefore,
used no extraordinary means to secure popular f.
vor, and the people readily acknowledging their abi.
ties, and feeling need of their services unhesutngy
conferred upon them the most important public trusts
Then, representative of the people felt a ust and
requisite independence, resulting from the fact, that
they were selected 10 discharge the duties Of their trust
because Of their acknowledged superiority and the
people having confidence in the honesty and intell-
gence of their representatives. would generally
discharged. There seems now TO be want Of
sense OF justice in those, who would discharge
public duties it they be strictly just in other things,
they forget that it becomes them to inquire Hhe-
ther they can render such valuable and efficient ser
vices to those who confde in them az the compensation
they receive and the confidence reposed in them, would
authorize those, whose interests they represent TO eI
pect from them. On the contrary, the selfish motive
OF individual distinction and little brief authority.
VIII induce man to accept place which he hm'e"
must be convinced, he lie unqualified 10 fill
Politics is a science, and embraces an extensive h'e
Tor the investigation Of those who would inform them
selves thoroughly upon those subjects connected win
The regulation and government Of a naticn or sta'e
for the preservation of its safety peace and prosperity
He, who would understand the subject right, should %
well acquainted with the political histories Of nston'
ancient and MODERN that he might profit By the wise
and wholesome measures which they have pursued, ana
avoid the errors they have committed. He is gfea1y
deceived, who fatters himself that he is thorough
Politician because he reads the current politics Of la'
day, derived from par.izan political journals, "hlch,
instead OF steadily pursuing after truth, toe tfequen
induige IN all the chcanery Of well-2rsctsed so'
cafe, mol discussing important and momentous CUE
lions OF political science, but rather employing Inc n'a
west and bitterest denUncations against private c
rac'efs; thereby attempting TO bring odium aPen p'
cuiar measures through the regulations OF those ~ ~
Wnom they were advocated or defended. II may
sa'd, that if political place is TO be confined ~ tne
row limits which the qualifications above me n''o %S;.
would prescribe, many would be unrepressnteo' Ia
may be true, and il is the very defect that "o
have corrected. The fault is that too many are IN
rants, and others again who might be inofmeo' n''