Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-01-27
Devotion to Principle.

principles and not men," used to be
favoritc maxim of the Democracy in tunes
past, and it was not 4 bad maxim if the prin-
ciples were good and such as, if practically
carried out, would tend to promote the well
fare of the majority. There is no lesson Of
greater Importance to youth than the incul-
cation of correct principles, and no nobler
spectacle than firm adherence to them, in
defeat or in success-whether Endorsed BY q
majority or condemned b. popular opinion.
The generous mind can afford to admire that
man who firmly sticks to his principles
through good and i'll fortune, even though
others may consider those principles erro-
Moons and bad. From what little knowledge
We have gathered of politics and politicians,
we Judge that there is either great lack or
ignorance Of principle even among success
ful public men. For instance, how common
~ is it the case, when great public Ques-
ton arises, the popularity Of which is not
vet decided, TO see politicians keep mum or
remain undecided until they discover which
is going to be the strong, i. e. the paying
side. Much of the corruption Of politics is
attributable to this rlaSS of men. Were it
not for them the Democratic party might
have been stripped Of its power long bef6re
it could have effected all the evil which it has
brought upon the country. By adherence to
principle, we do not mean to say that man
should never change his opinions wise
man will alter or modify his views Of things
very much as he progresses through life,
keeping pace with the expansion of his
knowledge and experience. But that does not
necessarily involve an abandonment Of prin-
ciplc. To be a man Of principle is, to eX-
anime every question with the light of rca-
son, to decide with Judgment and impartaili-
ty, choosing truth and rejecting error, re-
gardlesS Of Interior consequences. There is
no noblcr sight than to see a man firmly
maintaining and defending principles which
he deems correct, even though they are un-
popular. We have seen such moral heroes
among the public men of this State, and it
is source Of pride aud qualification to us
now that our humble efforts were given to
sustain them and their cause. One of these
men was Mr.. Broderick, who proudly said,
when accused of Inconsistency, I" | would
rather be right than be consistent" Col.
Baker was another notable instance of a man
who was devoted to principle. He preferred
Obscurity in private life to going with the
false Democracy, when his eloquence might
have secured reward from them for apostacy.
He held fast to the right when error and ig-
norance triumphed over it, and lived and died
devoted champion Of truth and Freedom
The career Of such men and their final sue
cess, notwithstanding early unpopularity,
should be held up rs shining example to
the youth of the country, worthy Of their imi-
tation. The dishonest politician may fou-
IRISH for time, but the discovery Of his
tricks will finally expose him to public scorn
and condemnation. In politics as in other
transactions of life, there is nothing like
honesty, and he who adheres firmly to the
truth, according to his convictions, will at
least have sweet reward in the approval Of
his own conscience, even though he never
attain public favor.-SieITa Democrat.