Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-05

leader he becomes one Of the led, and
soon sacrifices his birthright for a mess
OF pottage. Nor does this apply alone
to our own land, but to others
The English gentleman when the time
draws near, that rs candidate he must
present himself on the hustings, is forced
70 display an interest in things from
wAe< = natufe eesclts. He must lis-
~ of - seieht
|sftegssnd o. 81 - fSsS<y,
or eomplimentthe careful Ebrse wife o
the excellence Of her butter, and sud-
denly discover. like the lover who sees
Helen's beauty in brow Of Egypt, tai
~ features in homely, dirty children
and precocious intellect in stupidity
and ignorance. Well would it be for
the professional politician if these were
all the deceits in which he had TO in
dulge. In that case the recording an
gel might consistently drop tear upon
the page and blot it out forever. Blu,
when he has to cringe and fawn, to
yield his manhood, to be one of the
"bovs," whom from his inmost hear,
he despises, to eat and drink when he
does not want to and spend money
which he knows he cannot spare. his
whole moral and physical strength be-
comes weakened, and he soon lapses
into that artificial life hich only draws
its existence from stimulants, aud which,
the moment they are denied to it, sinks
into obscurity.
Men such as We have thus spoken oi
are not naturally bad. They NAV have
entered into the political arena from the
best Of motives, or simply to satisfy
that craving 70 rnotorie.y which all men
at some time or other feel. But unless
the step they take is accompanied by
a steadfastness OF purpose, a singlcnes.
of intention which can overcome diff
Guilty and insure respect, the result is al
most sure TO be unfortunate. Young men
especially should heed this as a warn.
ing. There is no sadder sight thar
to see some youth who, when deprived
Of employment, wanders around ann
lessly, depending for assistance upor
those who have formerly helped him
and seeming unconscious that any deg
radiation attaches itself to such IN act
Let hlm leave his trade or profession
and st-ai ghtway he seeks out all othe
avenues which are likely to be open I,
him. But il he loses the public pos,
ton which he holds, no such idea eve
dawns upon him, and he roams through
corridors and lobbies like an unquie
spirit. or is utterly stranded, and be
comes helpless wreck.
And yet, although politics is so mucl
abused "a quickened political lite through
out the country would do much tow ard:
ridding US of those who are actuatet
only BY ambition or love for the spoiIs
The atmosphere OF public lite will be
come purer when each citizen wake,
up from his apathy and exercises tho
prerogative which has been given tt
him; not merely going to the polls anc
| depositng his ballot. and, then feelins
that, this mechanical duty performed
no more is required of him: but taking
hold of everything which will tend io
raise honesty and merit to their tru.
position. and cause the blatant dema
gogue and the pot-house politician t,
feel that their occupation is gone, ant
that.the walls behind which they hav,
so long entrenched themselves arr
swept away by the tide of public opin
ion. Both citizens and Office holder,
can assist in this work. The latter vii
receive a more extended and worth,
recognition OF their services: the form
el will find that taxation will decreas.
and that morals will become healthier
the country itself will be relieved from
an incubus. and its leaders who hav,
its prosperity at heart will be the better
able 10 extend its resources and to keeE
pace with the march of human pro.
gress