Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-01
THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES AND THE
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. - -
- - - an PEOPLE:
We hardly know which is the most agreeablepublic
position for man now to occupy-the candidacy
for popular appointment, or the incumbency of a
government Office The first embodies in itself all
that can disgust and revolt an honest generous
heart. The scenes which characterize q canvass,
particularly for federal honors are, in multitude,
if not in majority of cases, enough to slcken every
hgh-minded, conscientious person, and we are fire.
quently amazed at the spectacle Of such persons en-
tering into so wretched an arena We believe that
if Washington himself were alive and were to become
candidate for the Presidency at the present time,
he would be daily denounced by his opponents as
recreant to all the principles and virtues which are
the bulwarks of government and the ornaments OF
humanity. A man, however upright and estimable
he may be, who engages now in political contest,
must first make his account to be assailed with all
manner of defamatory missiles in the shape of news
paper and stump charges. His whole life will be
ransacked, and every act of it msrepresented, dis
torted or perverted in way to render him as obi
Gus as possible to the people. We do not pretend
to say that there are no exceptions to this abom
nable practice or system of vication in our cleo
pioneering campaigns There are instances, but Of
too rare occurrence in which rival candidates and
their respective friends observe the most courteous
and respectful bearing towards oneanother, give full
credit to what is commendable and exemplary in the
puhlic record and private history of each, and are
satisfied to confne their discussions wholly to the
merits of the questions whatever they may be, upon
which they are divided This is the true and pro-
per way to conduct such an affair. We would not
ourselves, for all the honors and emouments of the
best office to which we could be eevated-not even
excepting the Presidency itself (Which we never ex
pcct to rcach get up in stump, any other fashion,
and deliberately represent act of our competitor
in a way to injure him, unless that act was obvious
y ysusceptible Of a construction that would
warrant in treating it, and then should use
no other language than, the most decorous and ami
cable, and indulge in no impugnment of motires.
But we started by saying that knew not
whether the candidate for popular trust or the in
cumbent of government Office was the most or
least attractive position. We have given briefly
and impcrfectly some of views of the first, and
We will say few words about the second. If the
is to be Stunned for the scanalous extremes to
which political vituperation, mingled not unfre
quently with personal aSperSiOES is carried, the
other is equally, if not more to be avoided for the
ahjectness of the terms upon which offices of gov
eminent are now held. We live in land of free
donor, rather We live under free institutions
and our souls, nurturcd ir the precepts of these
great guardians of the rights of man, breathe and
utter adherence for any badge of servitude which
the Executive arm can attach to Office holderss
The humblest clerk in the humblest bureau is an
educated freeman, and as freeman only can he en-
joy the blessings of popular government. Were we
the President of this glorious republic, it would be
our constant study, aim and delight to promote in
every way that could the cultivation and nvi 60
ration of those manly sentiments and enrolling vir
tues which constitute the good citizen and true pa
triot. We would scorn to intimate to an ncum-
bent that we considered him honds,nan to our
will and pleasure, or that we expected or wished
him to mould his thoughts after ours. We should
de-pise, reject and dismiss any man who approached
us IN craven spirit OF eastern slave, either to
ask office whilst holding one, instead of in the
pride and manliness of an American freeman. We
should tell every appontee to exercise OH all proper
occasions, and in proper way, his privileges as
citizen-to enjoy without any fear of our displeas
use, perfect liberty of opinion and of speech. in
conformity with the letter and genius of our insti
tutions. Before we would be guilty of the crime of
sitting or extingdshing in their bosonS the spirit
of independence which qualities him for the appre
citation and enjoyment of the blessings of faith
fully administered government, We would have our
right arm cut off Ours is no land for obsequious
slaves in the shape of Office holders.
To crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
That thrift may follow fawnng.
We had infinitely rather rule over people, every
one of whom "knows his rights, and knowing dare
maintain them" than over race contaminated by
single vein of recreant blood The offices of our
government were never designed to arm the Execu-
tive with the power to enslave the conscences and
will of incumbents, and VIC hold that this perver-
sion of the true intent of its trainers by any PrcSi
dent, is not only violative Of his high trust out
dangerous to the public liberties.-Iet. Express.