The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-07
POLITICAL BLUNDERERs.

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, Sagacious men, before undertaking an i'm
portant matter which, in its effects, is to reacl
to the business, the homes and the hearts o
their fellow citizens, will inquire whether O.
not public sentiment will sanction and accep
what they are about to do. What is done
counter to the will and spirit Of the people i.
sure to fail. Soon or late any generally OBJ
noxious scheme is certain to be swept away
by the current of adverse opinion.
Even tyrants, autocrats and the executive
chiefs of dominant parties will, if wise, con-
suit the current, habitual and constant desires
of the nations which they control. The
people are easily led in the path which suits
them, and they seldom stray far from it, but
enormous, repressive and restrictive force is
wide from their desires. Government in
accordance with the spirit of the people is,
therefore, the easiest and cheapest to sustain,
the most likely to endure and the most
trustworthy in seasons Of domestic or external
troubles.
From the true statesman, who profoundly
meditates the bearing of all he advocates even
to remotest consequences, down through all
the grades of politicians, the successful are
those who best know the spirit and temper of
the public with whom they have to deal.
Call it talent, requirement, habit or instinct,
it is the knowledge of human nature in masses
that is always the prominent faculty in the
man who rises from and guides the people.
Men Of great learning and ability, jealous for
the public good, clear in conception, eloquent
in expression, popular in manners, and liberal
with their substance, often fail to secure pro-
motion in public offices for no other lack |
than that of a true knowledge Of the people |
with whom they have to DEAL
Men of this description commit many |
blunders with which the chronicles of Ameri-
can politics are filled. Brilliant and promis-
ing men, apparently in the broad way to
honors and power, suddenly fall by the road
side and find none poor enough to pay them
political homage. They seek to be guides,
Until single act shows to the people that
hey are not understood, until single
'lunder shows to their coadjutors that they
annot be put with safety in positions Of great
The hasty midnight action Of the majority
f the Conservative caucus was one of the
ind of political blunders referred to- It was
be result of the advice of men who are not +,
killed in knowledge Of the masses, and who
.ck either the experience or the instinct that :
uides the successful public man. Nineteen
1 twenty OF the adult white inhabitants Of
le city were shocked at the announcement of
compromise, and expressed both indigna-
on and wonder that the trusted Representa- )
yes of their own choice had so far and so
'oted convictions and settled wishes of their
'nstituents. little knowledge Of human
Iture a little acquaintance with the habits
thought and tone of feeling in the homes,
Iunts and business places of our citizens, 5
ould have kept them from committing SO
ave an error.
1t was from listening to able but interested
visers that the Conservative majority of the
ucus fell into blunder, which we still hope
~ be durable, but which has already pro-
ICED damage to our cause here aud else
lere. The counsel would not have been
ven if the advisers had known the spirit of
r people as we'll as they know the plant
d mercenary temper of our adyersaries.
lis lesson is dear one, but it is one which
ght not to be forgotten. We have barely
aped the snares spread for us by cunning To
nds, but our escape is not without much Fl
mage and odium. Oh