Georgetown weekly news., 1854-10-19
.Fnte of American Statesmen.

There are many highly interesting truths
connected with the following article from
the N. Y. Times. 1t says:
There is nothing in the history of our
country more surprising than the change Of
sentiment in regard to political life. Not 80
years since, it was viewed in a most attrac-
tive light, and it was rare to find an ambi-
ti0us young man who did not look forward
eagerly to this sort Of distinction. The ideas
inherited from our English ancestors, def
ming the State as the noblcst sphere for
personal distinction, were then eXerting a
decided influence over our rising talent
Great men, too. had filed the mott of our
official positions. There was q necessity
for such men, because the nation felt its
youthful inexperience, its want of skill and
power, It's absolute dependence on guiding,
governing minds. As late as the period
named, these causes had combined to make
political prefermcnt glittering prize But
Il singular revolution has taken place The
best talent of the land has become disgusted
with official service, and it now seeks to eX-
pend itself i'll other channels. The ranks of
every profession are annually supplied with
larger number of frst-rate men than 90
into politics. Only moiety of them fix
their eyes on Washington City. Not a few
of these ara moved by other considerations
than those of honorable fame. 1t is cheap
way Of getting a livelihOod-of eating fine
dinners, and drinking champagne-of enjoy
ins the revelries of life at other peoples ex-
pense. Those who pursue politics as the
science Of craftsmanship, looking to it as a
field for generous devotion to national in
terests, and aiming to acquire that high
reputation which always impels the most
magnanimous order of intellects, are exceed
mgly rare. They might be written on the
thumb nail of an infant
Why is this? There is something grand
and inspiring in the hope of serving your
country. Why is it lowered to the level of
q fleeting vanity? Our public life appeals,
i'll theory, to philanthrOphy as well as to
patriotism. 1t places men in connection
with the moral interests of the world. and
offers the most brilliant opportunities for
advancing the welfare of humanity. A
great truth spoken in Congress may flash
across the Atlantic. One electric word may
nations. a century of power and progress
may be in the utterance Of a moment. and
yet there are no mighty hearts stirred to
sieze the occasion. Politics are becoming
more and more distasteful Hundreds of
persons feel that they are odious, and on no
present inducement could they be had for
public stations. Why is this?
Our system of partisanship has mainly
contributed to this deplorable state of
things. Not that the principle of party Or
ganiZation is bad principle. but it has
been perverted from It's right use. Unwor-
thy men have been suffered to get the whole
machinery into their own hands. Who
compose the primary meetings, constitute
caucuscS, arrange tickets, effect nominations?
Who work the wires? Just here, the virtue
and intelligence Of our parties ought to be
brought together-iust here, they are gen
orally wanting. There is no difficulty in
getting such men to vote, but that cannot
cure the evil. What is wanted is their ac-
tion in the right place. They must 90 to
the root of the matter; they must take hold
of the leading strings before others grasp
them. If the valuable men of the country
could be enlisted in this work, they might
easily lay their hands on the heart of the
system. In most cases, they would have
the ascendency. Moral power is sure to
rule where it is properly exercised. 1t al
ways has morelnsight, tact and facility than
the low, cunning arts Of intriguers; and
hence II 1t were to exert itself in the early
stages OF political movement. it would be
able to elevate the standard of official nual-
ifications. As things are now MANAGED
the real strength Of our parties does nothing
more than simply accept those offered. The
election is virtually made without it. Rath-
er than surrender their political opinions,
such men run the risk Of unfit candidates
and acquiesce in the ticket. Newspapers
follow IN the same track. A momentarv
spasm OF opposition may be aroused, but It
Is soon over The next time, all are caught
mapping again, and so the acknowledged
enormity perpetuates itself from year to
year.
principles and not men," is doubtless
good maxim in itself. But of late it has
come to read-Principles lcithom men,
That is the orthodox version now. A sorry
one it is, but down to this degeneracy has
it lapsed. If the great parties Of the coun-
try would adopt the motto Principles
andMen-we should see another aspect Of
affairs. For, talk as we may, Men are as
virtually important to parties as Principles.
The common notion that they are to be mere
representatives of certain doctrines, is a
foolish fallacy. Outside of all this, their
personal wei eht, influence, character, are
prime considerations, and noparty canl i've