The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-17

part in political movements? Simply
because the character Of politics had
gradually become debased and dishonor-
able. "Good men" were unable to pre-
vent this degradation. Mr.. Kent wis
not fail to admit, on reflection, that from
the time in which 'good men" began to
avoid politics as unfit for gentlemen to
engage in, the downward tendency has
been uninterrupted. If, therefore, good
men could not at first prevent party deg
radiation, how can they now possibly re-
form and renovate the parties, since
numbers are so much more largely
against them and proportionately more
unwieldly?
What was the cause of party degener-
acyp Nothing else than the qualification
by our educational system of consid.
erable class Of men who were not brought
up to the level Of gentlemanly culture,
and, therefore, constituted class
distinct from those who maintained the
old standard Of honesty, honor and
decency. This new class of half-edu-
Gated persons were energetic, active
and ambitious. They remained In closer
sympathy with what the Greeks called
the hoi polloi, or vulgar portion Of the
people, and very naturally become their
leaders. "Good men" lost their influ-
ence, the profane and unscrupulous took
the lead, and now, as Mr.. Kent says, the
expense Of waging party campaign
has become so great and the use that is
made of the money has become 90 dis
honorable, that only rich men, who are
not governed by principles Of high recti-
tude, can be elected to important Offices.
The subordinate leaders who do the
dirty workfor the rich candidates and
magnates of the party are rewarded with
the subordinate offices and with swim
ding jobs. The number of theAoi. polloi
has become unmanageable except by
their own congenial and sympathetic
leaders whose influence more and more
vulgarizes and debauches them.
Had Mr.. Kent considered these things
he would have seen that not the least
possible good could be effected by the
party participation of the "good men,"
They could not be even heard with re-
spect without letting themselves down,
at least half way, to the vulgar level;' in
which case they would soon become
themselves debauched. r
As things. now are, the 'sgood men"
could not effect any reform, even if all
Of Aem were to come together in a new
party. The most Of our "good men" CON-
tinue to vote with the party of their
preference. They merely vote the ticket
set up by the hoi pollof. Were they
all TO come out of their old party affilia-
tions and organize virtuous and hon.
orable party, they would be largely out
voted every time. 1t might be supposed |
that the great mass of common but hon.
est people would be glad to also come
out and unite with such a party; but
they would not. Whyp Because the |
leaders of the good mems party would |
be too conservative In relation to the
great questions that concern the mass of
laboring men. They would be identified
with the capital and monopolies Of the
country. In this point of view we must
say that 1t would be- unfortunate for a
good mans party to prevail. 1t might
secure more honesty in the public serv-
ice; but what is this, compared with the |
perpetuation and increase of our infinite |
legal robberies of the working classesl
There is method by which educated
and well-cultivated gentlemen might get
the control OF the whole people; but we
fear it Is method that anticipates dis
tant future-pernaps TOO far in the fu-
ture to save the republic. No one would
lose by adopting this method, But every
one would gain immensely OF everything
worth having. The good and cultivated
must make themselves the true friends
OF the poor, the weak, and the ignorant
in respect to their private relations and
welfare. This done, the hoi polloi would
cease to exist. There would be novul-
gar class. Having thus obtained the
confidence Of the many, they would be
aple to lead them in politics. In no other
mode can they attain supremacy. .Ex-
cellence should rule, and true excellence
would rule; but where is that excellence
which has the right to rule to be found?
Who is not selfish to the extent of using
rather than beneitIng the poIlois
An Atctison Kansas correspondent
tells of two boys who discovered near
that place on the banks of creek
large Mate of iron. about tour feet