Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-27
The Political Situation.

Politics are Just now, in some re
spects, exciting enough to attract at
tention from many who pride them
selves upon disaffection for partisan
strife. The situation is more in
teresting from the fact that the uncer-
tainty involved in conventional cleo
tions, in many sections amounts to &C
tual suspense.
That the Convention which meets
in Philadelphia on next Wednesday
will nominate Gen. GRANT for re-elec-
ton is almost generally conceded,
while those which meet in Cincinnati
the same day are hedged about with
expectations which only their delibera-
tons will realize or disappoint. These
expectations are invested with more
significance as the Democratic party
manifests its course as contingent
upon the results Of these conventions,
Divested of the strong partisan
idea of success by any means,
we discover nothing unfavorable to
the best interests of the country.
The situation" at this stage Of the
contest, very nearly con1pe%S all par
ties to the selection of their best men,
The charges of corruption which are
being mutually rung through the
land have awakened the public con-
seriousness to a sentiment, healthy
because above the contracted notion
that simple party triumph is the d"S-
iduot'>m of the people. 1t is easily
seen that grounds exist for rigid care
in the selection of national officers,
and all parties are apparently clearly
alive to the exigency, which literally
forces them to the adoption of men
irreproachable in character - whose
public conduct, heretofore, has so
foreshadowed their capability and
honesty, that their election will not
only reflect honor upon parties whose
representatives they are made, but
excite national pride.
We scarcely remember period when
political times were so suspicious Of
good to the country. The heart OF
the people revolts at the fraudulent
enormities Of politicians as they are
repeatedly and successfully exposed.
The reaction has set in, and political
manipulators must now work to the
glory Of the country, or lose their
questionable occupation. That this
happy influence will pervade inferior
political management in the selection
of - lower grades Of office is
Z hope of those who love
hntry for the protection which
intended to confer, and not for
Opportunity the administration Of
government gives for public plumber.
If there is truth in the allegations
of fraud so industriously charged by
parties upon each other, there is ne
cessity for deliberation in the matter
of selecting our public servants. 1t
is rational to suppose that if we do
not look for character, affairs will go
from bad to worse. 1t is not sensible
to hope that bad men will make hon
est servants Of the people.
The lesson of the times is unmis-
takably promising. 1t commands par
ties to obey the behests of a people who
will not be disgraced by unworthy
official representatives., or plundered
by their lawless rapacity. 1t erects a
loftier standard for future political
measures, and places prescription upon
intrigue and dishonesty. 1t imposes
disabilities upon known scoundrels
which no excuse can palliate nor am
nesty =" remove. 1t may not be that
all who learn it Alright will succeed,
but we are confident none can tri-
umph without needing its imperative
conditions. We hope the necessity for
watchfulness in this matter will pass
away; the incentives of the public
good, however, will still remain and
demand its ceaseless application in the
choice of those who minister to the
civil wants of the people.
What Know of Farming.
Il