The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-11-15
Excessive Science Defeating Its own Ends.

iowef was tremendously mined oy the Rus-
slams before leaving, and a cable covered
wire connected with the other side Of the
harbor to blow it up as soon as their troops
wefe out, and the French fairly in posses.
sion. In firing upon the Allies, however, tc
cover their own retreat liue too fiercsly,
Russian shell SO exploded as 10 cut the wire,
and thus the French army o: occupation was
saved from being all blown into the air. We
may fancy The disappointment of the opera
tors as they watched for the effect of he cleo.
trio spark. Had the explosion taken place,
il might possibly after all have changed the
fate OF the day as the result of bold az.
sault Immediately after such ca:astrophs
would perhaps have given them the renew.
ed possession of the key of their position
As il is, it adds but another illustration Of
the truth, SO often verified in life, shat little
too much vigor in the prosecution of any
enterprise, one shot too many frequently de-
stroys the effect Of a phole campaign.
Politicians could, if they would, afford us
some curious Illustrations Of this. How docs
lille too much science in pipe laying de-
slroy the effect of q thousand well-lait
schemes. They are parayzej and spoiled
| by one stroke TOO much OF dexterily and
maneuvre. There is no doubt that the break
ing up Of all parties and the general distrusi
in which they are now increasingly held, is
owing more than anything else to the in
trigues and deception which one after anolh.
er have shown plain, honest, hard-working
men, that they know not what party 10 trust,
or how 10 be sure that their most sacred prin-
cipes will not be betrayed. The fact is that
there is too much science and too little hon
esiy. Politicians, as class, are getting to
rely more on cunning than on character for
success. And when il comes 10 this, poliiioa.
science cuts off the right arm of i,s own
strength, or blows itself up, as M. MalIsfo,,
nearly did in New York harbor year or
two ago when his wires becoming enlang-
led, he exploded The wrong canister of pow
der, and instead Of removing the rock at tho
| bolton Of the river, only blew himself out Of
his own boat.
Too much zeal will often defeat the object
in view. One speech too many has destroy
ed more Than one politician. A hastily writ
ten nole, an unfortunately turned expression,
hasty plate of soup. has sometimes proved
the shot TOO much which has out all the wires
of Presidential campaign. Fanatics of all
kinds and extremists of every sort, whether
in politics or religion, soon find that thsy
have lost their hold upon The public, and
have neutralized their own influence. Even
if they do not themselves discover this, 9TH
ers will. Kossuth, as an orator, produced ef-
fecls almost unrivaled for time, but hs
went loo far and talked too fast and what
has he now bscomel One who has lost all
weight OF character, in spite OF being one OF
the abest and perhaps most sincere men ia
Europe, at period when ability and intss-
! rily are much needed and found united.
The same principle extends to tie influ-
ence OF every man in private life, because
belonging essentially 10 character. He who
wraps up an idea in too many words, the
wordy man, destroys The effect of all he vi.
| tiers for want Of point. The passionate man,
whose language is too violent, soon becomes
known, even 10 his children--his words Of
reproof lose their effect, because sometimes
extreme and unjust while his threats are
unheeded, because often necessarily mere
threats. One ouch word too much DESTROYS
mans influence more than ten words Of
wisdom leftunsaid.
| And if this is true OF words, il 10 much
more true of dispositions. Any one class OF
powers cuIliva ted disproporonately may
become real impeachment 10 success. A
man may be 200 keen in intellect for bis own
real interests; for men always DIRE al great ca
pac,y without an assurance of its being I'M
der the control of honest purposes. Aaron
Burr was 100 able 10 be trusted, and this
was the secret of his misery and his down
fall. When he tried 10 undermine Jefferson
in the matter Of the Presidency, he fred the
bomb she'll that cut the cable OF his power.
A forbearins use of great Intellectual facui-
ties, OF lheir use in uniform Difference TO
goodness, is The cause of all true success in
life.
Nations often destroy their influence in
tie same way. Nc governments have psD-
duced diplonatis,s of greater ability in e.
nesse than France and Austria. The effect
Is, that not one half the public reliance 10
placed upon tine honesty and integrity Of
their course of action, which the more blont
aud Straightforward Aoglo.Saxon system
carries with it. No surprise would be felt
were Napoleon 10 prove but treacherous
ally 10 England after all. Yet there is no
suspicion tha, England will betray France.
| ~ =
spect and public confidence incalculably.--
On the other hand, little too much bluster
reacts against the proper effect, where
friendly remunsrance could have done far
more 10 secure the end. Here is where Eng
land has often defeated herself, and proba-
bly, will Ly deg rees increasingly destroy her
influence. The joint and threatening action
Of England and France about Cuba produced
Mr.. Evereus letter. So il was little too
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