Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-07-17
For the SPECTATOR.
An Honest Mans Opinion.

All IIUucSt M6u y OplulOUs
When we of the present generation,
view the past history of our country, the
patriotism and zeal that prompted our
fathers to endure privation, suffer loss,
and wade through blood, to purchase
the freedom, which they bequeathed to
us and when we look at the manner in
which we have received, kept, and
cherished the principles underlying that
legacy, we are struck with horror at the
hideous picture.
Think of the time when it was con-
sidered disgrace, for man to seek Of
flee, and want of patriotism to refuse
an Office when rendered to him by the
people; the time when men were so pa
triotic, as to be willing to make person.
al sacrifices for the good of the public;
were satisfied with the honors of office,
and proud to know, that they were
thought worthy to labor in the cause of
freedom, and for the welfare of posteri-
ty; then compare that time and those
men, with the present time and the men
who occupy the legislative halls of our
nation.
Our country boasts of its freedom, of
its wealth, of its power, and of its free
institutions and religious liberty. Ev-
cry message that issues from the Execu-
tive Mansion, speaks largely of the
prosperity of our country, and stran-
ger who knows nothing of the internal
working of our Government, except
what he learns from the annual messa-
ges that issue from the several Execu-
tive departments of the United States,
would believe that we have been, are
now, and will continue to be, the hap
piest people in the world.
If indeed, our Government was what
it was designed to be, by the trainers of
the Constitution; if the people were in
deed the sovereigns, and were permitted
to elect their best men to office, in all
departments and the men so elected
were truly the servants of the people,
and amenable to them for their acts, we
would be free, and happy people. But
this is not the case-the people neither
select. nor elect their rulers. The rulers
of the people are selected by intrigue.
elected by fraud, and rule as despots,
while dissipation, fraud and corruption
are the leading characteristics of every
legislative body in the land.
The American people are remarkable
tor their eagerness to obtain wealth, and
millions worship at its shrine. The bus
mess mans motto is not, Honest ends
by honest means, but his motto is, The
end will justify the means, provided
that end will foot up sufficient num-
ber of dollars. And the politician of
the present day, has not for his motto,
Thegreatest good to the greatest number,
but his motto is, the greatest good to
himself, and his particular friends, and
what he means by good is,-Dollars.
Would the pettifogging politicians of
the present day be eager for the office of
legislator if the pay was only two dollors
per day? Would the Senator or Repre-
sentative to Congress be eager to retain
the office, if the salary would barely pay
expenses? Would the United States
storekeeper at "a distillery, be anxious
for the office, with his two hours work
per day, if the pay was no greater than
the farm hand receives for ten or twelve
hours of hard labor? No! he would
scorn the position. do not say there
is no philanthropy in the land. But I
do say, that selfshness is the ruling pas
sion, and the great sin of the age.
There are men who are true philan-
thropists, men who really desire the
welfare of those around them, and the
prosperity of the country at large; but
they are rarely found amongst business
men who are striving to make fortune
for themselves. I will not say, that
there is no patriotism in our country,
for there are men who are truely patri-
otic, men who love their country and
would be willing to make personal
sacrifices to promote her interests, but
these men, and their patriotic principles
are left in obscurity. Your true patriot
is modest and unassuming, and if he is
invited by sensible men to step into the
political arena, he is thrust aside by
some arrogant coxcomb, who is support
ed by party organization, and partizan
strife, SO the voice of the patriot cannot
be heard. Party zeal instead of patriot
ism, is the leading, active principle, in
politics, consequently the people are rul
ed by selfish men, who have very high
opinion of their own qualifications and
| fitness to govern the people.
If the American people could be arous
ed from their present lethargy, if they
could understand and fully comprehend
the facts, that they have vital interests
lying outside their farms, their mer
chandize and their workshops, thai
they, individually, have public as we'll a
private interests at stake; in short, j
that philanthropy and patriotism, which
lies dormant within them, was one
aroused, American citizens would con
slider it wisdom in them, to select thei
best men to fill all places of trust in tn
Government, regardless of party organi
zation, which is curse to any nation.
From the President, down to the low
est grade of office-all the executive, leg
islative, and judicial departments, an
all subordinate offices, should be file
by honest men-by good men. What
mean by honest men is, those who woul
as scrupulously guard the interests of th
State or country, as they would thei
own individual interests. What mea