Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-11-19


the execrable vice Of fear H.. ...s.s ovA.
bined, make up that most isaihsomc Of allthe
objects Of reproach and scorn, "a sourvy
politician" He has borne the same odious
character in every country and age Among
the Greeks, he once courted popularity or
place BY pointing out the smuggiers Of hgs,
and was cursed as both spy and informer. and
thance gave q name to the whole class OF
demagogues In Rome, be headed every petty
popular tumult, and elamored fercely for a
division Of lands and goods Curran describ-
ed him in his day, IN felicitons phrase, as Zone
who buoyant by putreiaotion, rises as he rots.
He is The vermin, the insect Of politics, aud
amid the heats of civil waf and convulson,
teens into life thick as guets in the summer
evening air. If any one among you--aud
speak to those who would aspire to be leaders
among their countrymeu<-hnv neither the
capacity.nor the ambition 10 be statesman, let
him at least not stoop to become demagogue.
Preach, heal try causes, work, but scorn TO
be one OF that namber who know nothing of
politics except the passions and personalities
which they excite. II not able to argue upon
principles, measures, policies, debate not at
all If you cannot soar do not creep. Who
ever discusses only mea in politics, is always
largely slandercr Principles, not men, is
not, indeed, altogether sound maxim
though little liable to be abused--sinco per-
sonalities always make up SO large and con-
trolling an element in.mere partisan politics.
Better say, principles and men 1t is easy to
be politician or demegogue-sail with the
wind; float with the current; look not to the
compass, neither lift up your eyes to the
heavens where the consultations and the pole
star--bright, glorioas emblems of God and
Truth and the Right--still shine, steadfast,
immovable, Just as they shone in the begin
ming Of time. Poeta nascitur SO it is with
the demagogue. But the statesman must be
made as well as born. His voyage is through
mid ocean and in storm He sails under
orders His portis ascertained and prescrib-
ed before he sets out, and it is his duty to
reach it; and so like the majestic ocean
steamer be sails on, and,
Against theNdnd, against the tide, o.
stu steadies with an upright keel"
Demosthenes, more than two thousand
years ago, in his great oration for the crown,
well distinguished between these two charac.
ters, declaring that while they were alike in
nothing they differed chiefly in this; that the
statesman boldly and honestly proclaimed
his opinion before the event, and thus made
himself responsible to fortune, to the times,
to hiscountrymen, TO the world; while the
sycophant or demagogue was silent till the
event had happened and then governed his
speech and his conduct accordingly.
And now allow me to add, that though you
may be patriots and yet not statesmen, the
great statesman is always patriot His
love of country is as we'll principle as an
amotion- Duty enters largely into it; hence
i is stable, enduring. 1t is not sensational
--certainly not mere feeling of gratitude
| HI.NI al Al.
defined kg DR. Johnson "a lively sense Of
favors yet to be received" He loves his
eduntfysbpth wisely and remote interests, to
p4pulaF clamor, and still less at the demand
Of thoSe who hold the power. Neither will
he cytyhipt the virtue nor tarnish the honor of
his country, 10 serve her mere sordid interests.
Rather will he initiate the example of Aris-
! tideeSwho reporting TO the Athenians that a
certain proposition was indeed for their i'm
mediate advantage, but would bring dishonor
upod4he State, counselled that they reject it.
| have said nothing about "loyalty. 1t is
word which belongs justly, but only to king
/ ly governments. | can comprehend loyalty
to king, and especially to queen but as
an American, choose to adhere to the good
and honest old republican word, "phtriotism,
and to cherish the virtue which it has always
been nsed to express.
Aspire then, young gentlemen you who
would pursue public course to be patriot
statesmen. Have faith--absolute, unqnestion-
! ing immovea5le-that faith which speaks to
itself IN the silence and calm of the hearts
own beating, saying: If not to-day or this time,
tthen Tomorrow, or next or some other day, at
some other time, in some other way, all will
be we'll Without this no man ever achieved
greatness Be incorruptible in your integrity
/ be inexorable in your deliberate, we'll consd.
cred purposes be appalled, by no difficulties.
Amphfy your minds, but still more, be great
in soul 1t is this which shall lift you up high
above the earth, and assimilate you to that
which is divine, Without it, you will but creep
with dusty and drollng and wearied wing
| Without it, think not to endure that cruel and
crushing weight of doing and suffering which
be must bear, who faithfully and with heroism,
at any time, but most of all in periods of great
public conyulsion, would act the part Of the
patriot-statesman
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