The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-06-15
ESTABLISHED.


Tue real s'gnihcance Of these dying words of
| Douglas none can interpret They seem to
have been expressive Of regret at the stroke
which, in the meridian of his fame, withered
the laurels upon his brow, and sapped the foun-
dations Of the brilliant plans he had formed for
the future. Whatever their meaning, they have
led Us to reflect upon the unsatisfactory nature
OF political career rs generally pursued. 1t
IL oft times adopted by men bankrupt in morals
and too idle to win bread by legitimate toll. tits
conducted BY means that in any other depart
ment of life would cover the actor with infamy.
What lying aud misrepresentation What disre.
gard for the private and personal feelings Of op-
ponents! What vioIen. invective and denuncia.
tion! What cajolery and bribery! Men are
treated as il without reason and appealed to as If
destitute of conscience. What facility of
adaptation to chance and change do most modern
politicians possess. Instead of regarding poll
tics as the reduction to human necessities of
grand and fundamental principles, by which
happiness and security are to be promoted, they
have no idea of principle in the matter. With
them politics are synonymous with erpediency.
and thus without blush, they advocate to-day
the plans they cursed but yesterday. We do not
believe in mans holding forever precisely the
ideas Of government he adopted on his en-
trance upon the arena of public life, this would
be conservatism of the blindest kind, this would
be to proclaim no progress in political econo-
my while there is progress in everything else
But we believe in a consistency in politics that
shall inspire confidence in man, and make him
like rock in the angry surgings Of popular tu-
mutt and source of hope in national trouble.
The mode o! gaining party distinction is gener-
ly the means Of elevating the worthless at the
sacrifce Of the worthy. We suppose tine time
will return no more when Offices of trust had to
be thrust upon men, but nothing would be
greater relief than their return and no reform
will be effected in the direction to which we
point, until public sentiment tdiscolntenances the
man who restlessly leaves the ranks, agitates
his own claims, stumps his district and ap-
plauds himself as the man for the times. Let
such men find and keep their level. A good be.
ginning was made in this direction when the ma
ton gave to Abraham Lincoln the votes which
raised him to his proud height Known for his
integrity, quiet but firm, during the most memo
rable struggle for the Presidency, he never once
was heard on his own behalf. Calmly awaiting
the judgment of the nation, the intelligence of
his greatness found him at home, with mind
and body braced for the discharge Of his inn
mense responsibilities.
Patriotism again as opposed to self-interest
should be the main-spring Of political life. This
alone can render it worthy of an intelligent
being and entitle him to the plaudits of his
fellows. This was signally illustrated in the
history of Douglas. The gallant stand he took
for the Administration, and for which some big
OTIS of his own party would have drummed him
him out of the ranks, won for him the lasting
admiration of his age. For this act generous
nation has washed out his errors with tears of
respectful sorrow and embalmed his memory
precious. This last act of his life is perhaps the
most instructive. 1t teaches our aspirants for
political distinction that the highest honor is a
peoples confidence, and the richest heritage to
posterity is peoples sorrow, and that lives OF
devotion to the public good may at any time
cease without a fear or regret in connection
with the great enemy, DEATH.