The Republican journal., 1869-01-07
Respecting Politics.

ways do SO from unworthy motives, and are
themselves OF doubtful integrity from the
fact that they are SO engaged. The men
who talk thus pride themselves on standing
aloof from the management of all party
affairs, or the use Of any influence or even
the expression of wish as to who shall
fill the offices, or shape the city, state or
national policies.
We hold this to be altogether a false
view, and one is its results working harm
to the community. Its advocates are often
the most successful business men Of COM
munity, capitalists, men of leisure, culture
and wealth. If such men imbibe this senti-
ment, act upon it, and impress it upon
others, the result needs no prophet to fore
tell. If honorable and high-minded men
who might give to primary meetings q
more dignifed tone and better guidance,
refuse to do So. the alternative is that de-
signing demagogues, men of low cunning
who work solely for plumber and selfish
ends, will control party meetings for their
purposes. We have seen and are daily see
ing this fact examplitied.
A friend Of ours, a gentleman of for
tune, fine taste, and within whose grasp are
all reasonable means of happiness, said to
us not long since, pointing at certain
obnoxious official, "There, when such a
man as he can reach such place, what
encouragement have | to take part in
poljtcs?" We thought of the lines of the
great poet
cts not in our stars, hut in ourselves,
That we are thus OF thus"
Our reply was that the very reason why
obnoxious and unfit men are raised to Off
cial position is because men like our friend,
either from an absorbing interest in bust
ness, daintiness in regard to mingling
with common people, Or belief that TO
engage in politics is degrading, hold them
selves aloof from the very places where
snrh mistakes may he sat right poso $500
then take the lead, and the fountain of gov
eminent is poisoned at its very source.
There should be no reproach in the term
politician. In its larger and proper sense,
politics means the science of government,
the search after the best interests of peo-
pie, and the endeavor to so shape the
thoughts and actions of the governing
power as to secure the greatest advantages
to the community. In this country that
governing power is the will Of the people,
legally expressed, and subject to constitu-
tional provisions. IF man has experience,
judgment, forecast, prudence, wisdom-it
is his duty no less than his interest to give
his fellow men and the community the
benefit that may arise from the exercise of
those qualities. He does not fulfill the
duties Of citizen who manifests inditfer
ence regarding the humblest of public
duties, and the hands to which they are
committed.
No man has wealth enough to be ndiff-
erent t, the administration Of the govern
, ment under which he lives. Indeed the
capitalists, of all men, has the most reason
for solicitude in this respect--for unwise
laws or indifference to the execution of
good ones may sap the foundations Of his
fortune, or may foster crime that shall
wrench it away or lay it waste. 1t is said
that there is nothing in this world worth
having which is not the result of labor.
We expect no other good in life except as
the result OF constant care and exertion
Why then should we sit down with indiffer-
ence and expect our public affairs to be
properly managed, and good government
provided, with as little forethought as the
air we breathe?
In conclusion, let us say that no man, in
whatever circumstances, can with safety be
indifferent to political affairs. They under
lie his comfort, his prosperity, and his per-
| sonal safety. And when we hear a man
who denounces politicians and ignores
politics complaining that unfit men gets in
to places of trust, he is self-accusatory and
selfrebuking. He is the unthrifty husband
man, complaining that tares spring up in
his neglected field.
dispatch dated at New Orleans, on the
3lst, has the following
The editor of the Marksville Register, who
is also the clerk of the 7th Judicial District
Court, reports the total destruction of his pa
per by mob led on by the editor of the Marks
vile Villager, Democratic paper published