Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-02-02

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occasion to have differed, nor to have com:
mented upon the dangerous tergiversations of
the organ
Our narrative will also show, in the deep
and abiding interest the Executive has in
Gen. Nicholson, how far he would probably
exert himself in his behalf and that simple fact
accounts for the success of that gentleman at
the late election.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-THE
TRADE OF POLITICS.
If on the agitated surface of American poll.
ties, there is anything defined, steady, and fixed,
ii is the fact that the day of political managers
and Presidential wire workers is at an end
This is amply manifested III the fact, that
although the period for the nomination of can
didates for the Presidency is rapidly approach
ing, there is but little of that excitement,
strife, and agitation which are usually ex-
| hibited on the eve Of such occasions.
That there are many rival aspirants in every
party for that high office is plain to all those
at all acquainted with politics and politicians.
| 1t would be vain task to attempt to enume-
rate the statesmen and politicians whose eyes
are fixed upon the Chief Magistracy. In the
| Democratic party, even, their name is legion.
| Every aspirant has his coterie of friends, who
are either more or less noisy. Nor is it any
reproach to man to say that he aspires to
| the Presidency. 1t is the GROWING beauty of
our liberal system that the highest office in
the gift Of this great Republic is open alike to
all its citizens. If the people had all along
exercised the power that appertains to them,
instead of permitting themselves to be ruled BY
selfish and mercenary managers and wire.
workers, they would have been saved much
trouble.
Usually, on the eve of the Presidential cam
paign, the whole country is in commotion.
Busting managers are travelling hither and
thither. Newspapers are busily engaged in
bespattering one aspirant with praise, another
with calumny. Anonymous scrbblers and
pamphleteers flood the country with their end.
less productions. The whole army Of Office
seekers, public Plunderers, and mercenary poll
ticans is turned loose to vex and harass our
quiet people. Each one of this army has his
favorite candidate whose praises he chaunts
in season and out Of season. 1t is the busi.
ness of such men to attend every county
meeting, every State convention, and to direct
if possible, their action to the support of their
favorte candidate.
To common observers, to plain honest, IN
suspecting persons, these busybodies seem to
be working without hope Of reward, for the
good Of their country But those who are
accustomed to the ways Of politicians, know
better. There is scarcely a man Of this whole
army Of wre.workers who has not some selfish
object to subserve. Each one works for the
ton he thinks the best, and each one expects
an Office in return.
Happily for the country, the reign Of these
men, if we may trust present indications, is
well nigh over. Except among small lotteries
in this city, and in some Of the Northern States
we are aware Of no such schemes and contri.
vances as are usually resorted to, on the eve Of
an election. This may in part be attributable
to the sad lesson which was learned in the last
canvass, by many Of our Presidential aspirants
Their prospects we're in many instances evinced
by the indiscretion Of honest friends, and the
i'll directed zeal Of dishonest and inscription:
partisans The utter folly of employing such
agencies, was signally illustrated in the fact
that all of our more prominent men we're dis
appointed and that the mantle Of Washington
and Jefferson and Jackson was placed on th,
shoulders Of citizen scarcely known TO th,
masses Of the country.
The effort of asprants now is to rein il
their friends, and to keep clear Of intriguer
and wire-workers. When we consider the i'm
portance Of the great Office that has to be filled
the number of eminent men whose eyes anc
hearts are fixed upon it, and the near approach
Of the period for holding the nominating con
, vention, we cannot but feel surprised, as W,
do feel gratifed, at the absence Of all excite
ment and agitation. II is a sign that th,
quiet people of the country have taken Tho
matter in hand, and that they will calmly
make their own choice.
Politics is to many a trade---as much so az
stone-cuttlng, blacksmlthing or house.building
and if all trades we're followed as diligently as
that is, there would be far fewer poor people in
the world than there are. When we call to mind
the large amount ofFederal and State patronage
there is to dispense, the almost countless mum.
Der Of Offices to be filed, the large contracts to
be given out, and the high emoluments attached
to them, we cease to feel any surprise at the
fact that SO many men make politics trade.
There is this difference, however, between this
trade and other trades. The blacksmith pro-
iesses to be blacksmith, the carpenter ca r
penter, but the trader in politics scorns the
impeachment and most nobly and sublimely
sets up for patriot. Verify, these latter da, .