The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-23
Foliy Of Fretting About Politics:

Folly Of Fretting About Politics.
A little cool reflection on the part of the
people would show how ridiculous it is for
them to allow their passions to be excited,
and animosities fiercely stimulated over i'm
aginary dangers. However much, in the heat
OF great political contest, we may dcprecatc
the success of the opposing party, or apprc-
bend disasters from our political antago-
nists. when the fight is over, and the Victory
won, we may readily see how m excited fam
cy has had more to do with orr forebodiA gs
than logical reason. The fact is, we are all
in the same boat, and il we would join our
efforts in steering il clear Of breakers and
running it free of snags and sandbars, we
would find that the journey would be moro
pleasant and the anchor more sure and
steadfast. We have q great country, we
possess a wise and bemfcent system OF gov
ernmcnt, we enjoy privileges and opportuni
ties unknown to any other nation on the
globe. and if we would, only turn our atten.
ton to improving and approaching what WE
have. instead OF standing on Our ears. OIL
turning ourselves into salamanders at the
bidding of half-crazed and designing politi.
cians. we would discover that our political
opponents had the same interest in good GOV
ernment, and the same respect for honest
administration that we ourselves profess
Human nature is the same in all parties. ant
of course it is natural for each person tt
think he is right, but ii we should happen
not to succeed in getting orr particular meas.
urcs adopted. or men elected. to secure the
end that both parties desire to attain, reason
should teach lis that the end may be reached
anyhow by the gravitation Of self-interest
Where the rulin. principle in admins
tratinn and government, is the greatest
good to the greatest number, any evils that
may creep into the operation OF policies, will
| in the course OF time. and especially with
an elastic people, ever pushing forward and
daring, correct themselves We can afford
| to hide orr time We can trust to the com.
mon warnings OF community for that con-
dition OF public affairs that win be most con.
lucive 20 the common welfare.
The great fault with the American people
is that they are moved more by impulse than
rcason-arc governed more by parties than
! patriotism, and are led into excuses of feel.
! inc and passion. where the dictates Of wis.
dom should direct and control. We don't
think enough. We jump at conclusions--are
the creatures OF spasms-eourt 4 species ol
insanity, and in this condition, are apt to i'm
agine great MANY things, that do not re
ally exist, and never will transpire. We gel
into a kind of political mania, ard are thu;
incompetent to judge our neighbor justly OF
fairly, and comfort everything that we dc
not embrace into public calamity.
All classes of community, not excepting
the women, have been running in this insane
groove for months past, over Il contest, let ii
be decided as it may, that will NOT, in all prob
ability, add one iota to our substantial hap
piness, or change the current of our lives ore
particle In short we have been making
fools of ourselves. 1t is about time we were
putting on our studying caps, cleansing ou
brains of horrid fancies, and taking ration
al view of everything connected with public
and individual concerns. II we will do this
we will not be slow in discovering that The
President Of the United States, who ever III
may be, will be able to discharge his duties
without consulting lis, and that it will no
concern him great deal whether we arr
pleased or dis leased. And il he can &c
without us, not caring what we think abou
him. it would be as well for as to determine
that we can get along without him, so HI
don't run the country into anarchy ant
blood splitting.
We are too much disposed TO magnif.
our individual importance. This delusioi
will be encouraged by an office seeke
when he wants q vote. But when we come tt
boil the matter down and take Il fair, squar
view OF ourselves, we cannot help being i'm
pressed with the truth, that each OF us is
very small atom in creation. We 10 no
amount to much more than butterfly, ant
should we happen to ''shufile Off this rnorta
coil, !" We wouldn't he missed in the genera
association OF life, more than twenty-fou
hours. There might be 4 solemn hymn
a prayer, couple of signs and sobs, 4 sigh
rumbllng Of dirt, and the world would NOV
OH just as though we had never been.
There is. therefore, no sense in frettin!
ourselves about who is President, or who i
in Congress. Let each of us discharge on
duties in society, as rational beings, live il
peace with our neighbors, cultivate friend
ships. be charitablcto each others faults, pa,
om debts, support the gospel, love tie wo
men and children, and the genial glow OF al
the happiness this world can give will b'
ours, whether Returning Boards declare fo
Hayes o! 1ildcn. But of course we would
+ prefer that they give it to Hayes, if they
can 10 so honestly. itsH