Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-14
From the New York Tribune.


horror Of Politicians. They suspect ev-
cry man who is noted for interest and
activity in public affairs. He is evident.
ly scheming for an Office, or a contract,
or fat job of some kind; if not, 'why
don't he mind his own business!'
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 to dispute
it. Certainly man who joins party,
votes for it, labors for it, with no higher
motive than his own promotion or advan-
tage, is low creature very unfit for pub
lie trust. But are all politicians of this
sort! II so. what has become Of the
honest, intelligent unselfish patriotic citi-
zens who ought to take deep interest
and leading part in the consideration
of public affairs! II the present polti-
clans are all sordid in their aims, what
does that say for the general integrity
and patriotism of the People2
Politicians may be bad men--many Of
them doubtless are-but those who ex-
cuse themselves from political action on
the plea that they are not politicians, are
skulking, craven, mean-spirited creatures.
They have no right to abstain from po-
litical action. The clergyman who re-
fuses to vote and suppresses or e4uivo-
calIy uttcrs his conviction concerning
public affairs on the plea that he is no
politician, but really because he fears TO
offend and repel some member of his
society who thinks as he himself does
not, is coward and not very far from
moral treason. He owes to his country
his fair contribution tsward her wise
guidonce and right government, and he
has no moral right to withhold t. In
refusing to give it, because Of apprehen-
ded consequences TO himself or his busi-
ness, he acts as base part as the pol
troon 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.
The truth is. and il ought to be every
where proclaimed. that the undue and
vicious consequence given to certain
class distinguished as politicians is en-
tirely owing TO the neglect OF political
duties too generally prevalent. There
is Ward or Township, for example,
which can give one thousand votes to
one or the other party, but when dele
gates are to be sent therefrom to Nom
mating Convention, not hundred OF
them, unless specially interested in some
aspiran.'s success, will go near the Pri-
mary Meetings. Ii two-thirds or even
half of them would. the Ward Politicians
vocation would shrink into insignifcance;
out, since they won't, the man who can
bring hundred voters to such Primary
Meetings, ready to support whomsoever
may indicate, becomes man OF decided
consequence. Candidates bow to him,
fatter him, buy him; and he goes for
that one among them out of whom he
can make the most. He is bad fellow,
if you please; but how much better are
they whose neglect of duty has made
him of such consequence!
The basest ideas with regard TO the
nature and duties of citizenship are en-.
gendered by the habitual indifference OF
the majority to political affairs. 81 have
belonged to the-party for twenty
years, and never asked for an Office be.
fore; and, now that do ask, / am re-
fused it'-whines many poor creature
Sordid wretch! what did you belong
to that party for? Was i, mainly fol
the sake or impelled by the hope Of Of
flee! If Yes, then you prove yourself
unfit TO hold and unworthy Of any pub.
lie trust whatever. But was it rather
} because you believed you could bes
serve your Country by joining tina
party? If Yes, what are you snivelling
about? Have YOU not obtained what
you aspired TO! Certainly, you have a
} right to aspire to Office also if you see
fit--as good right as any body else
If you obtain it. very well; but if not
don't belray your unworthiness by com
J planning that you have served the party
so long for nothing. If you do that
you fully justify the judgment that con
signed you to continued abstinence from
public service.
If our substantial, thrifty, quiet, busy
citizens would only realize that the
choice of rulers and legislators as re,
sponsible duty which they have no RICH
to leave to the mercenary and the un
principled-that it is their duty to vote
and to participate fairly and equally In
all the steps whereby Public Opinion Il
brought to bear on Public Policy-tha
they have no moral right to refrain from
an Election because they feel no special
interest therein--the moral benefits t.
the community would be incalculable.--
There is great need of unselfsh, indie.
pendent God-iearing action in public
concerns-of men who are not the slaves
of Party but the servants of Duty. Il
a man is not decided partisan, he gen.
orally considers himself excused ever
from voting; whereas he is the man who
of all others should never fail to VOTE
Partisans may be blind, but he has nc
excuse for not seeing. II nine-tenths Of
those who say they are no partisans
would recognize and fulfill their obliga-
tions to vote, not for this or that party
but for the best men, the best measures
and for the Country, the State and Ma.