Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-11-08
PERSONALITIES IN POLITICS.

PERSONALITIES IN POLITICS.
One of the worst features of our
politics-and we expect Of
the politics Of every nation-is the
tendency Of partisan zeal and party
to make men not over scrupu-
lous in political matters as to the
means they employ to accomplish their
ends. Frequently, those who are hon
in their dealings IN all the
other relations of life, will resort to
anything for the sake Of secur-
ing the triumph Of the political party
with which they are identified. And
this disposition is manifested oftener
and more Extensively, perhaps, IN the
indulgence In undue and unwarranta-
BILE personalities than In any other
way. To a certain extent, indeed, the
private character Of candidates Is a
legitimate matter of discussion in n
political contest. There is much force
in the saying. that, in casting their
votes, the chief consideration with the
people should be principles, not men;
but they can make surf the triumph of
the principles they advocate only by
putting In office men whose honesty
and good faith can be relied OH. And
thus, whatever. there may have been
in the past record Of a candidate,
whether in public Or private life;
whatever weakness or defects there
may he In his character which Indicate
that he Is unworthy Of confidence or
in any way unit for the position to
which he aspires; are very proper SUBJ
jects of criticism; and his political
opponents are In the legitimate line Of
their duties when they expose or call
attention to such things. But beyond
this 1t is not in accordance with the
Just rules OF an honorable political
warfare to 90. But It Is not unfre-
quent that the private life OF Il candi-
date Is overlauled, from his earliest
years, and whatever there may be in
It's record that it is thought would
injure his prospects with any class of
voters, either through an appeal to
their religious opinions, their prcju-
dices, or in whatever way, Is held up
TO the gaze of the public and CON-
mented Oh with special junction.. The
sacred privacy Of family and social
affairs Is oftentimes In no wise re-
,pected. 1t Is. moreover, \ fact. in
entire accordance with the reason OF
things. and confirmed, We believe, BY
the history OF popular elections Of all
times and places, that the weaker a
party is in principle, the more dishon-
est it Il in purpose and the more 1t Is
inclined to resort to personalities. II
the members of 4 party have princi-
ples-princip!es in which they sim
cerely and strongly believe, and whose
triumph they honestly desire-they
will naturally devote their chief efforts
to the advocacy OF those principles;
if they really believe In the right and
business OF their cause, believe that 1t
l. a cause that will recommend Itself
to n correct and enlightened moral
sense, they will not be ashamed OF it,
not be inclined to dodge or obscure the
main issue, will not hesitate to openly
urge its claims upon tho public favor.
It il only when politicians are con-
.cious to themselves Of q weakness in
principles, only when they know that
their cause Is unworthy, and that 1t
would be condemned by n correct and
intelligent public sentiment, that they
seek to divert the attention Of the peo-
pie from it, strive to lead them away
from the question OF principle to be
decided, by assailing the personal char
acters OF their political opponents.
The indulgence bya party in undue
personalities is 4 virtual confession Of
the weakness and uuworthiness Of its
The private characters Of Re-
publican statesmen have been asSailed
the most bitterly and persistently by
he Brick Pomeroy class Of publica-
;ions-a class Whose principles and
purposes the respectable men Of all
parties condemn.