Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-15
Political Contests,

The bitterness which chsractcrizes our political
discussions in this country makes very uufayora-
Die impression upon foreigners not conversant
with the true spirit Of American politics, and they
form very incorrect ideas Of the character Of our
public men, and aspirauts FOR Office in election
times. Europeans may indeed wonder how the
free institutions Of our boosted land can be respect
ably sustained by such infamous characters as our
candidates are continually represented 90 possess
ay the opposition on either side; indeed, hoo as
people we can survive al all under the leadership
of such men. Observers across the waters must
ind 10 extremely difficult 20 reconcile the growth
and unmistaksble prosperity t the Republic with
us continually threatened ruin by our leading
journals and a large portion Of the public. IL is,
we say, difficult for even intelligent Europeans TO
reconcile these Oft repeated declarations With the
facts which are patent 90 an the world. This is,
in a measure. obyiated by their contact with our
welIiuformed class Of citizens who travel on the
continent and are ever willing 90 show our coun-
try in It's true light.
But can we not conduct political discussions. and
struggle for political ascendancy. in manner more
worthy q q free, enlightened paoplc-with more
aueuity and dignity? It Is certainty depl1rable
to think that campaign writer's Gld campaign
speakers cannot coadno thei- arguments 20 prin-
ciples without descending O. d.sgraccful personal
tiles.
Few Of those, even Of Our better class OF point
clans, who lose themselves 10 the whirlpool q Po-
Hdcal strife, ever pause toreviev the aspect which
public affairs must present 10 che calm ard unprc-
JUDGED II IS not very ta.:eriag spectacle, that
Of a great and prosperous people divided in opin-
son, and their speakers and writers reyiing and
railing 40 each other vieiug in the use Of opPro-
brious cpithets, and rudely hurting every sarcasm
that their seeming malsnity can invent az the
head OF antagonist leaders and candidates. What,
tmay well be asked would De our own inference
were We not familiar with the unfortunate cleo
tionceriug practices and customs % the American
people We should az once conclude that these
prominent individuals were but little above es-
capped coDvicts that the country, as a Republic
was an egregious biundey; the system ofuniversal
suffrage fundamentally wrong and utterly i'm
practicable; and finally, that this bsasted land
Of the free and home Of the brave, must be going
20 ruin, like a train with q mad engineer. These
conclusions are but the sequence Of the public as
Yect Of our affairs, as presented 90 che eyes of
thinking men the world over. No candid man
can deny that personal abuse has come to be the
principal weapon Of political warfare in our land,
and 60 on extent never before INDUCED in among
any people claiming civilization. How Girraut,y
the lie is given and taken What fierce and Grim
inal charges echo from the rostrum. What iuze-
uious fabrcatous are r5sor;ed %, almost utterly
regardless Of truth. possibility or probability 3
How alarmingly active and bitter ere the Parti-
zans, and what oceans Of ink are lsvish.y expead-
Cd Ia this reckless party warfare
Abuse does not, and cannot produce conviction.
Bitterness and hatred are lis tWiu-chi,drcn. One
sound, logical argument upon principles, not men,
IS worth a vo,an, % biuugsgat- IN is ef.c. upon
the reason Of an audience.
IL IS uotso very difficult 90 avoid this unfortu-
nate and needless state Of affairs. The line be
tween the right and the wrong course is clearly
defined. Let Us leara 90 distinguish between men
and principles. The fate OF our country does not
depend on one man. OF set of men, however much
go politicians may DECLARE f5rmaa is mortal, and
though his influence for good or evil dies not with
lim-pTincirles are not mortal, but eternal.