The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-03-24
NEUTRALITY.

We are frequently asked no" VIC ~"
nerve Our neutrality in the midst OF ."e pon'
o.l ,smpes,s going on around us. we reply
- IA =. 90 in the word. That man must DC
,.,,o,,h,v neor in mental resources VINO can
m, think or talk Of anything else ou' po''"o''
We hone we are not of that NUMBER
poI;,;c.l editing, nova days, seems to have
- ;, a great measure, into the lauda-
.r;ns;v;dunIs. According TO the political
.nsners we have among us fnot Bour-
49,, bn,J an incredible quantity OF great men.
Ererv county can send forth champion ut to
zane with Demosthenes every borough has
ro,,e nnons,er of mind, the rival of Cicero in
.,oonence. his equal in learning, his superior
:, nolitical wisdom there is not cross-road
:, The whole country, that cannot boast OF
soroe orator. who is more than match for Pa
trick Henry in his most sublime mood OF ter
ror. If,hese great men do not really deserve
all this praise, the newspapers make the world
believe that they do, and what is rather worse,
they soon &c, to believe it themselves. II is
vain fer an editor to expect anything like graft
,yae from them. Whatever he may do, they
.,vsys receive as their due, and no more
Ier him fail TO do them the thousandth favor,
and ssraightway, forgetting the nine hundred
and ninety.nine they may hive received before,
,bev become his most deadly enemies. We
have seen nnumerable instances OF this-of
men who have been literally made by the
press, turning the most inveterate toes OF 'hose
who had created them. This system, IN some
sort necessary in the conduct OF political
campaign, is of serious disadvantage TO the
country. Ii has the effect, the fatal effect, OF
throwing the government into the hands OF
snail men, whom nature never designed for
such task, but who have risen by editorial
putting to consideration in the eyes OF the mul.
ritude, who are but too apt TO believe the man
10 be great man, because newspaper says
SO.
For this part of partizan editors duty we
have no fancy, and as man must feel enthu-
siasm upon subject when he wishes to write
on il with effect, we do not know that we
should be able to succeed in it at all. We, by
no means, object to what is called hero wor-
ship; that is to an admiration for the illusti-
oss men of other ages. We can follow Han>
ribel, with intense interest," in his long and per-
ilous marches, from Saguntum to Canne-we
glory in his victories, and sadden at his re-
verses. We read the commentaries of the IL
lustrious Roman, "the foremost man of all the
earth" as Shakespeare calls him, W tn the most
intense eagerness. We admire the great FIRE.
derrick, and the greater Napoleon. We feel &
degree ofreverence which we can scarcely ex.
press for Washington, and we pray, at least
once a week, that some judicious friend may
persuade old Mr.. Gusts 10 perpetuate no more
twaddle about that greatest of all great men.
But for the everyday place leglsla-
tors, congressman, ofice-holders and office
seekers, whose laims to the admiration OF the
world the party press is eternally pressing, we
have no enthusiasm whatever, and we cannot,
and never could, get up any. main element
is therefore wanting; we always felt its want,
even while we were engaged in The partizan
press. We cannot, we repeat, admire ans dei-
fly small men, nor lavish upon any demagogue
who may happen to be the candidate of our
party, the praises which are due to great tai
eats and illustrious patriotism alone.
Far be it from US to attach blame to the par
ty press, unless it be for the ercesS Of COM
mendation. 1t is one of the necessities of its
position; that necessity constitutes one of the
most disagreeable portions of its duty. 1t is
compelled TO advance its principles, by means
of the men selected by its party, and we see
not that il can promote them in any other way
To discuss abstract principles, without bring.
ing forward men that are TO carry them out, is
to deal with shadows, and in order to effect the
main object, it is, perhaps, indispensable &c
give undue prominence 10 its accessories.