The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-03-24
About Public Measures and Men.

We regard II as an evil of the first
magnitude that in this country the
public men, end the newspapers which
discuss public concerns, seldom judge
measures by their intrinsic merit or
demerit, but denounce whatever is pro-
posed by the opposite party. 1t is un.
dignified, unmanly, ungenerous, degra-
ding, contemplate and slavish, yet 1t is
almost a universal custom. Political
opponents share the fate of measures,
and the greatest and purest Statesmen
are denounced in the same vulgar terms
that are applied to the most corrupt and
basest of demagogues. 1t need not be
argued that this is all wrong, for every
body knows that. Yet it is In vain to
appeal to our public men or to the
newspapers to stop the abuse. High
toned and able papers at Washington,
Philadelphia and New York could
correct it without much difilculty-a
few able men in Congress might do the
same thing, but not SO perfectly-but
there seems to be none that are not con-
trolled by sheer rancor and passion.
Even the once grave and dignihed U. S..
Senate, seems to be composed almost If
not altogether of men who are governed
by no higher motive of action than op-
position to the rival party, or by per-
sonal spleen, or local advantage without
regard to general propriety.
The evil complained of could not exist
as to the Congress and high officers of
government, If the people would pay
proper regard to the elections and cleo
none but able and fit men--or at least
insist on those qualifications being re.
garded by those who manipulate NOM
inations. Nor would the city newspa-
pers (who lead because of their position
indulge the error if the people did not
best patronize those that are guilty of
the very wrong complained of. The
fault, then, lies with the people, and
must be corrected (if ever from that
standpoint.
Public men will reform whenever
they see that pubic appreciation will
follow. They are all sensitive to that
very point, and for the most part would
rathercourt popularity by correct action,
if that will gain it, than any other.
But they look to the newspapers as the
barometers Of public opinion, and there
fore that is the place where reformation
is most practical. We hope to see the
country press commence the reform and
add to their own weight and importance
by refusing for the future to follow in
the wake of the city dailies and by
forming their own opinions and pursu-
ing the course of action that propriety
may dictate. AS preliminary they
must always judge measures and men,
after thoughtful examination, solely by
their merits, and express opinions only
in accordance with such judgment.
1t will be a sort of millenum when
measures and public men are discussed
upon their merits and mere cavilling be
set aside as unworthy and discreditable,
when personal abuse and unwarranted
denunciation shall cease, and when
editors ard politicians respect them
selves too much to be made vulgar and
shameless political pettifoggers-cha
latans and tools, panderers to error or
demagogues. Whether this millennium
to occur or not is for the future to de-
termine. The newspapers can accom-.
plish it if they will. The U. s. Senators
would accomplish it if they were really
great men.