New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-18
ReIsisciaHs.

Ill YeIsticiass.
Many good people have profound horror
Of Politicians. They suspect every man who
is noted for interest and activity in public
affairs. lie is evidently scheming for an
Office. or a CONTRACT, or fat job of some
kind: if not, why don't he mind his own
business p
Well: it is quite possible that those now
known as politicians may generally be great
rogues-if anybody chooses to affirm that,
we shall not stop 10 dispute 1t. Certainly,
a man who Joins party, votes for it, labors
for it. with no higher motive than his own
promotion or advantage, is low creature,
very unfit for public trust. But are all pol
;t;cians of this sort =? If so, what has be-
come of the honest, intelligent, unselfish,
patriotic citizens who ougH to take deep
interest and leading part in the consldcra-
ton of public affairs? If the present politi-
clans are all sordid in their aims, what does
that say for the general integrity and patrl-
otism Of the People?
Politicians may be bad men-many OF
them doubtless are-but those who excuse
themselves from political action on the plea
that they are not politicians, are skulking,
craven, mean-sprited creatures. They have
no right to abstain from political action
The clergyman who refuses to vote and sup
presses or equivocally utters his convictions
concerning public affairs on the plea that he
is no politician, but really because he fears
to offend and repel some member of his soci-
ETY. who thinks as he himself does not, is 4
coward and not very far from moral treason.
He owes to his country his fair contribution
toward her wise guidance and right govern
ment, and he has no moral right to withhold
it. In refusing to give it, because of appre-
hended consequences to himself or his bust
ness, he acts as base a part as the poltroon
who, when the country is invaded and the
Militia called out, crawls under his mothers
bed and lies shivering there till the danger
is over. M
The truth is, and it ought to be every
where proclaimed, that the undue and vi
cious consequence given to a certain class
distinguished as politicians is entirely owint
to the neglect of political duties too gene
rally prevalent. There is Ward or Town
shin, for example, which can give one thou
sand votes to one or the other party, bu
when delegates are to be sent therefrom
aNominating Convention, not hundred
them. unless specially interested in some as
piranss success, viii 60 near the Primar
Meetings. If two-thirds or even half of then
would the Ward Politicians vocation woal
shrink into insignifcance; but, since the
van't. the man who can bring hundre
,o.ers to such Primary Meetings, ready I
snnnort whomsoever he may indicate, b.
Games man of decided consequence. Car
d;dates bow to him, Aatter him, buy him
and be goes for that one among them out
vbom he can make the most. lie is a ba
fellow. IL you please; hut how much bets'
are they whose negieo' vi u"'y ""' NOV
him of such consequence
The basest ideas with regard to the n
ture and duties of citizenship are ense
dered by the habitual indifference Of Il
majority to political affairs " / have .
ionced TO the - party for twenty year
and never asked for an Office before an
now that do ask, l am refused lf'--wh'n
many poor creature.
Sordid wretch what did you belong
tina. party Jor' Was it mainly for the he s s
or impelled by the hope of Officer If fe
then YOU prove yourself unit to hold Al
unworthy Of any public trust whatever. d
~ss n rather because you believed you cou
hest serve your Country by joining IN
nsrty, If Yes, what are you snivelni
shout, Have you not obtained what y
vOt, have A rlpllc