The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-06-27
Tuesday, June 81, 1875
THE GLADIATORS DOWN.

Until the result Of the Cincinnati
Convention was announced, the
sarpfsrW" were ftfia host tf5ffie
nent in the land. Whether through
the agency of themselves, their par-
tisans, or their antagonists, they were
the "cynosure of all eyes How
ever much of this notoriety was due
TO jockeying, as much at least was
due to their own sensational eoups-
IL etat. Blaine in particular was a
mastery tactician and an adept in
the art Of producing dramatic effects.
Few perhaps will question that
these men have ample ability to fill
the Office of the presidency, and are
fully as worthy az many who have
hitherto held that office. The fact
to be regretted in their case is
that they were open and indefatIga-
bic seekers for the office which it is
the right Of the country to confer OF
her own accord upon the man whom
she chooses to honor. They made a
determined struggle for the desired
prize, and it is cause Of chagrin
that so brave a fight should have SC
inglorious a termination because
waged only for a selfish end.
While the nation regards with
sympathy and sadness the defeat OF
the PROSTATE athletes, at the same
time their overthrow is not without a
wholesome significance in relation to
the politics of the country. The les
son is taught by it with emphatic
force, that the presidency should seek
the man and not the man the presi-
dency. That the appropriate func'
JliSris, .-iS Lite stsl. ]!
with honors. The guild Of the pro-
fessional politician, in this country
in sort Of fifth wheel to the coach
The farmer, the merchant, the manu-.
facturer, the professional man, con
tributes to the good of the communi.
ty, because providing for its temper
al or spiritual well.being. So dc
the other practical vacations. But
rs for tho mere politicians 'they toll
not, neither do they spin, nor gather
into barns" 1t is this class Of men,
who make il their business To reap
where they have not sowed, that have
stecred the ship of state into the
shoals Of danger and distress that
now surround il. II cannot he
claimed either that this class of pro-
fessional politicians bring to their
calling any pre-eminent skill in state
craft or consummate knowledge of
affairs gained by long and special
training. Their chief recommends.
ton is adroitness in manipulating
caucusss and conventions.
Experience has proved that many
of the best presidents have been men
drawn from the quiet pursuits of
private life. Here. where intelli.
gence is so general and political
privileges equal, the best qualifca-
tons for high office arc integrity,
good sense, disintercstedness aud a
clear record.
The objection that good men must
enter the scramble in 1.-THE filthy
pool to save the State from falling
into more unworthy hands is un-
sound. Better for honorable men 10
stand out of the scrimmage, and al.
low the gladiatorial ilk to have i,
out. The latter will then the sooner
run the business down to the poin,
of ahsurdity and nauseation.
II is the prercgative of the public
to choose who shall govern it, and
the result of the late convention is q
declaration that IL viii do SO. There
is truth in the old teaching that hs
Who seeketh his own gain shall lose
IT, and wisdom is the injunction
"Let him that would be greatest
among you, be your minister. "--no'
pastor nor bishop, but the server MOI
of himself but of the people.