Nebraska palladium. [volume] (Bellevieu City, Neb.) 1854-1855, 1854-12-06
POPULARITY

''If the noble Lord means by popularity that
applause bestowed by after ages on good amp
virtuous actions, ] have long been struggling
in that race, TO what purpose, all-tryins tims
can alone determine But il the noble Lord
means that mushroom popularity which is rAis-
ed without merit, and lost without a crime, he ,slP
IS much mistaken in his opinion"
The two meenirgs Of popularity tlus
distinguished by Lord Mansfield are still l
recognized. Essentially, and with refsrl
ence 10 motives, the two meanings ave
worldwide apart. ouwarely, tLeir mani
fesiations are exceedingly like. Never,
III Tie history Of the world has country
EXISTED, afordng such field for popus
lariiy as our own. Exceptional instances
Of great popularity attending remarkable
persons, have existed in almost every
country; hut in no ether tOuniry or age,
have so many persons Of every genera
ion passed Immediately under the public
eye With US, the public mar is indeed
public man. His acts are known and
commented on, by Vast numbers Of sharp
shighted people; and thus opinions are esosi
formed and being formed, they are open -s7
" expressed. aha.l
To many public men, the consciousness
Of this exposure TO public Gnimadversioni ss
is source of constant anxiety, and il
would be subject for amusing comments
TO note the various manifestations Of slis- &c
anxiety, but we wish now 10 present an'
oher phase of the subject. E vn as
Popularity, with us, should be good--
il should be desirable. II implies appro- if
val by the people, and where the people
are intelligent and good, ilieir approySlis
a crowning glory. ltis the voice Of God 81
saying to The faithful servani--'well done.
Justice 10 the American people and to our
own convictions, requires us TO affirm,
that there is no sure road TO popularity f'.
here, and now, os 10 do right, Expedis
ency is continually appealing to the Ameri-i7l
can statesman with tempting suggesiion'j
but If he listen 10 them he is in dangers il
he follow them, he is sure TO sink. -s
Many Of our public men do sos it is
true; but how fas, do all such rise and
sink, and pass away. Few, comparative Y
Fly effect permanent lodgment in the aP+ l
proving judgment and affections OF the AZ
peope and these whe do, seem indebted
for their success far more TO their moral
than 10 their intellectual power. The y
American people are more tolerant Of aii
error of the judgment than Of an obIiqui'
y of principle, The dplomaiist's codsi
which regarded history as worse Than d
crime, has 70 place with them. They de-
mand honesty: and when assured by the
uniform result of repeated trials, that they
have found ii il public man, they chers
ish him in their heart of hearts.
Ii is delightful at this point Of time, 10
contemplate the career Of Andrew Jackson:
No man was ever surrounded by circurn-
stances more strongly tempting TO exPedi.
ency, by opposition more powerful and
persevering, by political combinations
mure imposing But he never cOmprs:
missed. He never sought 10 maze terms
for himself, or his principles, OF his party.
And yet no man OF molern times, certaih-
" no statesman, has enjoyed a stronger OF
. more sustained popularity. Il lay in the
I entire assurance which he was aJle. 10
c give to the people, OF his honesty and his
firmness of prirciple. They knew, that
S in every possible emergency he dared 10
do right.
This is lesson which should not be lost
upon MS. Il should not be lost upon the
public men whc now seek the favor Of
lhe people. 1t should not be lost upon
lhose who cherish the principles Of tile
republican rariy, and who desire 10 see IL
again uniel and marching gloriously for-
ward, conquering and to conquer. The
old spirit OF the people is not dead nor
4 he old honesty, nor the old enthusitsm.- .-sz
But they cannot be rallied by poliiicaltrasa
> ders and tricksters. Let but the man step
forward, able and willing 10 do rhefts
0 rght, and the people will rally uroufid
!. him. Even now, arises from the depths
i. of The popular heart, cry, like The proph-
e cts of old .''a-
"Set ye up standard in the land"
-
; SINGULAR ExrHEssloN.- Californishs
d have singular me hod of expressing
i themselves. One paper for instance says
e thut, The ST. Louis Company, at Iowa
y. Hill have struck $40 to the pan in their
RS diggings!"
At ihe same time, it does not eommaiii.
!. cate fact of noless mportahae-nameiy,
whether or not the 1920" struck bacN
er u A Yankee in Iowa, has just taught