The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-03-08
THE DENhGOGUE.

who seeks TO crafty an invariable selfish
ness by pretending to seek the public good.
For profitable popularity he accommo-
dates himself to all opinions, to all DISPOSE
,ions, 10 every side, and TO each prejudice.
He is a mirror, with no face of its own, bu;
smooth surface, from which every man
of ten thousand may see himself reflected.
He cides from man TO man. coincidlng
with their views, pretending their feelings,
stimulating their tastes; with this o1e, he
hates man; with that one, he loves the
same man; he favors law and he dislikes
it; he approves and opposes; he is on both
sides at once, and seemingly wishes that
he could be on one side more than both
Sides he attends meetings 10 suppress in
temperance, but at elections makes every
grog shop free TO all drinkers. He can
with equal relish plead most eloquently for
temperance, or toss off a dozen glasses IN a
dirty grocery. He thinks that there is a
time for every thing, and, therefore, al one
time he swears. and jeers, and leers with
carousing crew, and at another time, hav-
ing happily been converted, he displays the
various features of devotion. Indeed, he
is capacious chrislian-an epi,ome Of
faith. He pionsly asks the class-leader Of
the welf,re OF his charge. for he was always
a Methodist, and always shall be. until he
meets a Presbyterian; there he is Presby-
terian, old school or new, as the case re-
Quires. However, as he is no tigot, he
can afford to be Baptist in good Baptist
neghborhood, and with wink, he tells
the Jealous elder That he never had one OF
his children baptized. not he! lie whis-
pers to the Reiormer that he abhors all
creeds but baptism and the Bible. After
all this, room will he found in his heart for
the fugitive sects also, which come and 60
like clouds in summer sky. His nat,er-
ing attention at church edifes the simple~
hearted preacher, who admires that plain
sermon should make man whisper amen!
and weep, or at least wipe his eyes to coax
tear. Upon the stump his tact is no less
rare. He roars and bawls with courageous
plainness, on points about which all agree;
but on subjects where men differ, his mean.
ing is nicely ba'anced on pivot, that il.
may dip either way. He depends for sue
cess chiefly upon humorous stories. A
glowing patriot telling stories is dangers
Gus antagonist; for it is hard to expose the
ralacy of hearty laugh, and men con-
vulsed with merriment are slow TO perceive
in what way an argument is a reply TO a
story.
Perseverance, efrontery, good nature,
and versatile cunning. have advanced many
a bad man higher than good man could
attain.
Men will admit that he has not single
moral virtue; but lie Is smart. Smar! 1t
does no, occur TO many that there is much
difference between men and game; or that
Offices end laws are much more than
beaver.rars; or public men very diiieren,
from smart ,rarpers. We object TO no
man for amusing himself a, the fertile re.
sources of the politician here painted; for
sober men are sometimes pleased with the
grimaces and mischievous tricks Of yer-
sa,ile monkey; but would it not be strange
indeed if they should select him for a ruler,
or make him an exemplar for their sons.