Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-08-26
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN,
~. ~ 2, zsss9tsss.S, ~,
rs ? 81 IL
Is. x. H.
TOWNLEY, SHIELDS & co, proprietorS
IYNCuBURG AUGUST a6. 1870.
MIR. MASON OF VIRGINIA.

A mathematician would wife a bad poem, for
the obvious reason that he would make in the
preparation of poem manifest misapplication
of his talents. SO the man who is eapacitated to
follow, only, would appear exceedingly awk-
ward in the lead The man, who succeeds in
aiding is not unirequently totally unit 10 guide
and direct In aiding he may have played his
part we'll but in the attempt 10 lead he may have
oyerstretched his capacities AMI the consequence
is failure, through the want of suiicicncy of
strength 10 sustain the effort. The aspirations Of
men of small incects have often prompted
them to act in stations for which they are totally
unfit and thereby to secure disgrace whenif they
have obeyed the dictates OF prudence rather than
pursued the impulses of ambition, they would
',ave gained credit and won eclat. The aspra-
ons of most men constitute the source from
which flow their errors. great philosophic
prnciple, as well as important facts are contain
ed in the familiar lines Of the poet:
aAspiring to be Gois, angels fell
Aspiring TO be angels, men r-becd'
The last illustration OF a man made ridiculous
Inv aspiration is presented in the present posture
of Mr.. Mason. Mr.. Mason is Nrglnlan be-
lonnno 10 the Southern Rights school OF polit-
clans. By the death of Mr.. Calhoun, this school
has been LIFT without a leader. Indeed no gen
tleman Of the patty has talents sufficient to I'LL
the place vacated by the death of the distn
IDENTIFY aspiring to the station, which the cham
MON of Southern Rights filled. We hemblc for
The reputation of Virginia talents if MIR. Mason
;s 10 become the Senatorial leader of the South
en- clique. When party is TO make, as is pro-
fessed by this party, great and important chang
es in public polity, ii is needIul that great talents
and learning be called to its aid. These Mr.. Ma
son has not. He may be a respectable gentle
man, this we do not doubt but "high-toned gen.
tlemen' are not the class of men 10 make Sena-
toria leaders, unless this high-toned gentry is
endowed with the requisite talents and learning.
Political skill is based upon political wisdom.
And the man who attempts 10 accomplish great
political result without ingenuity and native abl
Ties will cut most ridiculous figure, and
soon seek a shelter, laden with bushes over his
failure from disgrace. His party wilbe ashamed
of him and to cover their shame will repudiate.
A political failure is the greatest of political evils,
the direst of political curses. Popularity is the
essence Of political existence. and when pollti-
clan loses the public favor his craftsmanship has
gone. His abilities may fit him for minor sta
ton, but he has failed and the inducement,
which puts him forward must be great indeed or
foes and friends alike will help TO hand him down
from his high position. II is therefore wise for
men to content themselves in respectable posi-
ton of a minor circle, unless they have assurance
of their efficiency to move with credit III one
more lofty.
Mr.. Mason has moi the ability to be the leader
of the Southern clique, yet ne aspires to It, We
are. therefore, forced to attribute 10 him either
vanity or folly; indeed without misapphealion
VIC could ascribe both TO him. His vanity is
seen in the belief of his capacity to be the sue
cessor of Mr.. Calhoun, and his folly in the at
tempt 10 inherit the position OF that lIIustflous
man. Mr.. Mason is rather nt-Virginian in as
pirng to be great We believe his case is the
first instance on record All of our great men
have been great because endowed by nature.
Yirginians seldom seek place, their talents give
them place. When a man fills an inferior station
with superior credit the people ask that he be
elevated for they hold their higher gifts as
the rewards of superior merit, and if perchance
aspiration should cout and with winning
smiles" gain these places, the reward comes
not. Aspiration must "chew the bitter cud' OF
disappointment, and after having failed, fall back
to its appropriate sphere crushed, beneath the dis
grace offailure.