Smyrna times., 1858-09-02
o r G | n AL.
Written for the Smyrna Times.
A Chapter on Politics,


While everybody in general, and thu rest of
mankind in particular, are expressing th"ir dt
terent opinions and views in regard to politics,
it may not be thought strange or marvel OIs ~
one who is not now, never has been, nor ever
intends 10 be, politician, should also say some-
thing about it.
1t is not my intention, at present, TO sayany-
thing either for or against any particular party
or pariizan; but simply, to ask few questions
relative to certain matters, about winch there
has been much able argument, we'll as more
abusive quarrelling, between politicians Of al
parties, without having enlightened the "dear
people "ol the subjects, TO any great extent,
as yet. And before proceeding farther will
say to any, and ALL who may feel inclined to
find fault with, aud cordemn me for writing
this, that they had better stop reading it, right
here. Believing, however, that there are many
who Will read, and willingly, as well as salts
tactorliy answer the queries which shall put
10 them, here make use Of the opportunity TO
thank them fer it. Now to my purpose;
How are we, poor. laboring, illlerate igno.
ramuses, 10 know what candidates we should
vote for, when the politicians and political pa
pers of one paFty indisCrmnately denoUace
their opponents as a set Of vagabouds o: some.
thing worse, while. at The same time, they take
all pains 10 show US that their favorites ave the
very embodiment of all that IS good, noble, o
great and. vice versa! Why do some people
tell us that, in order to get living wages for
our work. we must elect meM who are in favor
of high tariff, TO furnish funds for the govern.
INent and protect American labor, while others
warn us not to do any such thing, as the result
of 1t would be an indirect tax on the consumer
who must, of necessity, make use Of much
which would be raised in price in proportion to
the duty laid upon it Why is it that about
three months before, and from that time on
until the election, we are told, by those who
know, of course, that If we elect Mr. Su-and-
so, we shall have better wages, more work,
cheaper provisions, and finer clothing, with
peace and plenty everywhere; and slter elec-
tIon is over, and the said Mister elected, we,
looking for the good time promised, are doomed
to discover that the world wags on without
much change for US Where DO all the kind,
clever gentlemen go, who, before election, meet
US with smiles, extended hands, aud {. happy
to-see- -you-today-sr on their lips, but after
that important event has iranspi!ed, we could
not find one in days ride! 1t was always
mystery 10 me! Why do so many writer's for
political papers, instead of using decent Ian.
guage and heightened argument, TO sustain their
chosen side OF the question, delight in employ
ing the most abusive epitEe's and vilcst invec.
tives which ill-feeling and vitated taste can
suggest, to say nothing of stretching truth till
tbreaks and many Otherslngulary plural means
TO refute the assertions Of their opposers =
What do you think of 1t Is it no, very rea.
sonable TO suppose, and does not the tenor of
their productions warrant in such u suppostion,
that, III the Editors would allow (which. thank
heaven, they seldom dove have men in this
Christian country, who would disgrace the COL
umns OF newspaper, with the vilest Oaths
that ever shocked mortal ears Why is this
Can anyone tell me! Lastly: What is the
use of SO much quarrelling and railing between
those who happen TO differ in opinion about poll.
tics Does It promote the interests of either.
or any party to which they are joined! Rather,
does II not have tendency for the worse to ann
partyl
1t will oflord me much pleasure 10 see an. |
swers to any, or all Of the above questions, |
which are asked with view to obtain informo. |
tiOn' without having the slightest linge Of Ill
feeling toward any person.
Before concluding, | will relate an incident
which occurred about a week previous to the
last Presidential election. would-be modern
Solon' my Junior by two years at least, re-
repeated an effort to draw me into controversy
on poIiilcs,-for the ostcnsibIe purpose of as
certaning my poll cal sentiments, which he
lAlIed to do, however, very much TO his own
dissatlstactlon-whichb became apparent in the
tIrade OF abuse he indulged in; first, apainsl
Mr.. buchanan and bis friends, until he cunc,u
ded that they were without doubt so disabled ms
10 preclude the possibility of their ever seeing
the White House then, turning his pivot
gun, to bear on Mr.. Fremont and friends. he
bombarded them till he had nearly exhausted
his ammunitlon-my humble self meekly lis
tenac 10 dciierential attitude. Finding that
none Of these moved me, he quietly subsIded
into glowing history of Mr.. Filmore's long
ma useful he, aud the great advantages which
The woFA'ng-men would become possessed Of,
IN case Mr. Fillmore should he elected " hicb.
according 10 my instructor, was "certain to be-"
To my question, +" What do you understand the
word politics to mean z" he answered, "Sr;ck.
ing up for every man on your pariy's ticket,
and voting down everything, good, bad and in.
different, opposed to it," After thanking him
for his kindness in condescending to explain O.
1t to me, Iquictly left him, as must the reader
TO his own reflections.
CHRIsroPHER r. Evans.
SMYRNA, Sept 1888 {