The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-03-18
Ulre Uribulle.
~>->~S--~~~-~-N-~-~>--,>
WITH SUPPLEMENT.
Fer Chief Justice of the Suprenss- Court.
LUTHER S. DIXON.
THE POLITICIAN.

At the outset of this article we viii
state we have most unconquerahle preju-
dice against the class Of whom we pro-
pose to speak-the Politicians-bet lest
We should be misunderstood we will de-
scribe the word Webster says: q. One
who is yersed in the science of govern
ment and the art of governing. 2. One
who is devoted to the advancement of a
political party; one who dabbles in public
affairs; as, q mere politician. 3. A man
Of arti6ce or deep contrivance." 1t is
the ''mere politician the imam Of arti-
fee or deep contriyanee" with whom we
have tc deal.
There are many we could name who
would exactly fill the bill, but the one
most widely known, the one who has
made himself the most conspicuous,
and who will serve our purpose best at
this time, IS the man who filed every
Office, according to his own statement,
from village alderman to president of
the United States-AndreW johnson. He
Is, IN the truest sense, mere politician
a man of artiice and deep contrivanee,
and we hold that the country is in danger
from just such men. Honied words flow
freely, they profess great love for the con-
stitution and the country, but self ag-
qrdndizea.els IS their whole aim-thc
handspring which keeps them in motion
And we have bitter, unconquerable de-
testation for such men. Why should
they thrive, fatten and idly roll in every
luxury, while honest people are compelled
to labor for their daily bread and pay
heavy taxes to support these men who do
nothing but seek for office? We believe
there is reason for it, and we believe
the people are finding it out, too. ghe
Rings are responsible. 4 band OF men
get together and say, here you support
me for such an office, and | will you for
the office you want; and thus compara-
lively few men govern al the Offices and
the people have only to vote for whom
the politician designates. Now these
Kings are curse to any community,
and the people should spot every man
who belongs to one, and kick him into
private life at the earliest moment posi-
BE. And why? Because the life Of the
politician Is one that leads men into all
manner Of intrigue and falsehood, it
deadens every sensibility Of justice and
manhood and leaves them mere wrecks of
what they might have been had they en-
ployed their time in some honest and
worthy calling. Mind we are not speak
ing Of al who hold office, only those who
do notbi;pg else and have no desire to
engage in any other occupation. He who
is called to do the duties of any position
if he is qualified, and performs those du-
ties well, is entitled to credit and should
receive it, but these professional Office
seekers are bore to the commonwealth.
Just think, in New York city there are
men whose profession 1t IS to SIT on the
coroner jury And We do not have to
go far from home to find men who have
each received, within the past few years,
many thousands of dollars in salaries for
holding Office. Some in fact do not hesi-
tate TO demand Office at the hands of
their party, and if they fail in one case
they demand another as recompense
for the defeat they have sustained at the
hands of the pAple.
1t is high time this state Of affairs
played out Gen. Grant has set good
example in giving the national wire.pull-
ers set back, and now let the people go
and do likewise Pu5 honest men in Of
fee, and don't keep them too long, lest
they become demoralized.