Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-11-29
ESTABLISHED 1910.
THEsrArEsmAN,s OPPORTUNTTY.

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The philosophy embodied In the edibO,
rlsls Of the APPEAL, especially in those
devoted to the discussion Of the fortunes
Of this city as they may be sfected by
approaching municipal elections, is well
illustrated by the New York Evening
Post. It tells us that the present political
situation is one Of the nOblest opportuni-
ties ever plsced before ststesmsnship to
vindioats its true character ss something
better and greater than party manage
ment. A general election is near enough
to occupy the thoughts of the people, yet
80 far swsy that even the parties which
are to COL. est 1t are not yet defined, nor
are the issues to be decided Yet drawn,
The country is substantially st peace at
home and abroad; there are no threaten
ing QUESTIONS in our foreign relations; the
mighty issue involving our existence as q
free nation, which has besn the center OF
our political struggles for more than
twenty years, is settled; the national
mind and conscience are just now stirred,
as they were never stirred betIre, by the
terribls exposures msdein our largest city
OF the inevitable result, when politics are
made a trade and when personal character
Is not regarded IS essential TO public
ofics; and now, for the frst time, the
citizens Of this generation may choose an
administration with reference solely to its
worth and its fitness for its work.
This is no time, then, for men capable
of statesmsnship to waste their powers in
disputing over personal claims TO the
ofice Of president. II is not yet time
sven TO review the qualifications Of the
many excellent men whose names are be-
fore the country, and to choose candidates
among them. The next president is not
likely 10 hsvs any brilliant work Of war
or OF diplomacy thrown upon him; the
Office does not now seem to call for s
washington, capable by his own personal
weight OF character, Of regulating parties
and factions, and of impressing on 3 new
nation reverence for its own laws and in
situations. In view Of the awful du-
ties which may at any time fall upon the
head Of a nation, the office calls for man
who will rise 20 greatness on great occs-
sious: but the work TO which 1t will prob
ably be required TO give its whole energies
and mower is thst OF q thorough puri6cs-
tion of The government from the evils Of
political bargaining and Of ofmoney-seeking
In the public service, which now disgrace
1t and debase the morals of the country.
This work will, indeed, require
strong, patient and earnest man, who
loves his country better than his fsWning
followers, and his lasting fame more than
their f attsry. But the first thing to be
done is not the election OF the man, but
the formation and education Of s public
oninion which snail make the selection of
the wrong man impossible. The man
aging politician seeks whom he may
arohssbly serve by pressing his nsmei
the statesman owns no ends but his coun-
fry's, bows 10 no determining power in
public affairs but the righteous judgment
of public opinion upon the true princi-
ples OF government. Now, when the pub
lie mind Is ready for this great lesson,
when it is eager to establish duty as the
law Of public life forever, and only needs
wise Guidance to accomplish this work,
now Is the ststesmsn'H great opportunity.
Where are the men Of character and Of
power who will speak out at this time,
with that large faith in truth which sub
ordinates to il ali personal and immediate
sims9 They alone are needed now,
20 make the whole Of the approach
ing national canvass q struggle of the
honest people against all that is under
mining ihe public morality of the na-
fion, and so threatens Washington and
New York with the fate Of Rome and
Paris,