Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-07-22
POLITICS.


md disgrace to the intelligent classes
living thereunder, that In all political
movements at the outset the dema-
,ogues have the advantage, aud that
he first impulses Of the people to-
change, are controlled by office
seekers. This Is unfortunate. A bad
vet get into power and the average
outcome Is no better. This Is mainly
lue to the feeling which has perme-
ated the people, that politics isa filthy
pool, and intelligent, honorable men
are degraded by a contact with. or
mingling In Its srriies. If we mean
BY politics only a vulgar struggle of
bad men through questionable means
to obtain petty offices, or even greater,
for large but doubtful gains, this is
undoubtedly true. Yet 1t does not
lessen our duty 1t cannot shift from
the shoulders OF freemen the responsl-
bility which the very genius Of our
government places upon Its intelli-
gent citizens. We may look over the
world to-day and ask where, in spite
Of all our corruption, our imbecillty,
and the filth OF our party manipula-
tons, exists a government which
has done or does better? Show
Us one which has ever done
or is now doing so well? No matter
how black the political pool may ap-
pear. no matter II the corruptlonlsts
have everything in their own hands
to-day so much the more then, we say,
BECOMES it the duty Of good men TO
interest themselves In political strife,
so much greater the need for intelll-
gence and honesty to enter in and take
possession Of the reins of power.
The study of political science is second
oiily 20 the study Of moral science, or
the relation Of man to divinity. 1t is
the most dignifed, the highest. the
most important In responsibilities MS
we'll as possibilities oil any branch OF
human learning. The physician, the
teacher and the lawyer have their du-
ties; to help mankind Individually Is
their duty, the highest aim Of their
professions. II 1t he a truth that the
welfare Of communities Is Of greater
Importance than that OF single indi.
viduals, II to guide the course of the
masses IL more difficult aud therefore
requires a greater degree Of intelli-
geice aud rectltude Of character than
to influence the current Of lite In II
solitary. human being. so much more
does the study OF political science aud
its application to communities sllrpass
that Of OTHER learned professions. II IL
b.. a difficult task TOR a teacher or parent
to develop u single career, It Is n far
more arduous and stupendous work
to develop and guide the course OF ag-
yregate humanity when crystalized
into communities. States and nations.
10 shape the d~-stiuies of ~posterity. 10
Tx the fate of q nation for future ages,
becomes n work OF such superlativc
extent and responsibility. that between
It aud other human science, there i
no comparison. 1t matters not how
low. how corrupt, how venal or imbe-
cile the actual politician Of to-day may
have become, the business which he
soils with the polluted touch Of GRIM
inal,ty still remains the highest OF hui
man concerns.
To-day we stand on a new plane
In the history Of politics in Amer
lean Government. The end Of the
war aud the garnerlng of its re-
suits have brought this nation up to a
new starting point on its road to com.
ing centuries. Sentiment in political
government Is dead. As a famous
speaker recently observed, "emotional
politics went out with the war;" No
more on the stump before sympathetic
audiences will the wrongs Of an en-.
shaved people be told In vivid Ian
guage and masses sway like waving
grain with the fe~rceness Of their In.
d~ignation or the power Of human SYM
patty. With the Emancipation proc.
lamation ended the great remit.
mental, humanitarian issue Of our
generation. Stump speakers Of 1868
hud their glowing pictures fall fiat In
the contest Of 1873. Shackles are
broken, and instead Of questions as to
the right Of every created intelligence
to breathe the free air Of Gods earth,
untrarnmeled and unquestioned, we
have the unsentlmental, but no less
important, query: How shall we pro-
cure cheaper transportation for our
wheat' Or shall VT still keep up a tax
on pig iron? Although great men
were required to accomplish the stu
pendous work OF African emancipation,
1t requires still greater e and far
more Intelligence, to solve the prob
lens Of to day and deal justly by all
citizens. Instead of fugitives to cap
,ure. quarrel over and return to their
owners, we have mines to develop.
Our talents as detectives are applied
to Congressman, instead Of seeking
fleeing bondsmen. and In lieu OF mag
nificent reviews aud army corps In.
spections We have Credit Mobilier
suits and Pacific railroads to lnvesti-
gate.
The world moves on toward per-
tect government. II the agents OF
our system are bad, It Is d duty to
supplant them with good men,. II cor
ruptlon has attached itself to the prac-
tice Of political science, 1t becomes the
duty of honest men to cast it of. II
Intelligence, Instead Of sentiment. L.
the need of to-day, 1t Il the