The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-09-03
OUR LOST LEADER.

OUR LOST LEADER.
We have in Kansas man. occupying the re-
sponsble pos. of Editor of leading journal,
whose character is curious study, and the for
bearance exercised towards whom by his oppo-
nents, is one of the most singular anomalies in
our State politics.
This forbearance can hardly be tho result Of
cowardice. Those in whom it is most marked
are by no means noted for that trait. 1t must
arise from that singular admixture Of charity
and adherence of depravity. which the spectacle
of once able and cultivated intellect. polished
manner, and q still large share of sagacity and
keenness. always produce in the observant stu
dent of human nature,
The partizan press Of Kansas has. We acknowl-
edge, grown almost shameless in its conduct of
factious issues Yet within the last twelve.
month it has been left the editor to whom We
REFER to crown the edifce with unapproachable
hypocrisy, calumDy, inuendo. slander, and all
the weapons which malicious intellect, skilled
by q life experience in journalism, can so readily
Use to injure its foes, and destroy the character
of those who dare to differ with him in opinion
and policy.
An cid man this-well skilled in the ways of
the world. One who has stood SO high in pub
lie estimation that the great State Of Ohio once
came within two Or three votes. through its Leg
isIature, of sending him to represent her in the
National Senate Yet standing SO high, he fell
SO low as to be compelled to fec from another
city. where he held leading position. in such
haste as not even to wait for his personal bag
gage, And why7 Let the scores who know Of
his conduct. repeat with shame how low de-
PRAYED passions can bring down once great
soul
Smooth, oily, courtly, with the manners Of the
old school gentleman with the readiness Of
scholar, the fervor of eloquent orator and writer,
and the ease of skillful man of the world is
it to be wondered at that such q man-when we
also remember his lifelong advocacy for the tri-
umph of which we of Kansas had suffered much
should be enabled at once to become promi-
nent here and exercise o wide influence? The
wonder Is not that he gained such influence. but
that he has not maintained it. The well known
insiacerity and mendacity Of the man Was and
is the cause. The people have lost confidence
In him.
They have slowly come to the conclusion that
while be glibly talks morality, it is only as does
the parrot initiate human speech. That while
honesty and purity would seem to dwell in his
heart. as the words do upon his pen. yet there is
nothing in his nature to enable him to under
stand the grand and vitalizing energy Of those
virtues. Without honesty of life /; without puri-
iy Of purpose without earnestness of intellect
and having only the 6tful semblance thereof,
which 80 keen brain knows it must at least as
sumo is it to be wondered at that the people
who read his paper. have listened to his speech
es and observed his life, should have become
convinced of the utter worthlessness of the heart
and brain from which these emanste
With the face of a satyr his tongue possesses
the oily smoothness of Lothario. With the
culture of scholar and the manners of gen.
tleman. the character we are etching possesses no
tcsit of the gentle chivalrous qualities common
to those characters.
Boosting of o lifelong devotion to the broad
eat principles of Freedom with long array Of
valuable work in that cause to redeem his lifes
miserable failure. he is get after two score years
OF service. animated with the most vindictive
passion and prompted by the malice Of shame
less hypocrisy and ambition. in o fair way to
materially aid the xorst enemies Of Liberty, and
build Up elements Of opposition thereto. which
result, not in hinderins the sublime sweep of
that aagnifsent tide upon which rides SO glor-
ously the sublimest hopes Of Humanity but
rather in covering his own name with ignominy
and preserving his memcry but as one Of those
Lost Leaders, whose fate il at once the pity and
acorn 4 man.
Lo K st one fact. Sec this man, With the in
seilec: and culture described, the hired hack.
The unserupulous rartizan. the ever handy tool
Of . thing Whose public career has grown as the
poisonous toad stool does-in the night whose
only pretencs to public position ia that Of success
in money making. Yet the man Of intellect Of
whom we speak is the ready and servile creature
Of this creature whose ignorance is by word
whose rretensions are q scorn whose egotism
sal is-cis-ra Il in.uff.rshle 20 any one possess