National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-03-28
GENIUS IN STATRSMIySHIP.

Genius requires opportunity for develop
IN, Mt. 1t is not Of the same order Of ability
as talent, and, like il, content with the
competent performance Of allotted duty
uDder the instructions Of predecessors.
in accordance with immemorial usage. II
Is not initiative and conventional. but cres-
tive and universal. Talent in state-crsft
manifess the same infirmity as in all the
other departments of life. being there Is
elsewhere incapable Of original conception
or OF independent action. 1t does admira-
bly, what has been done before, and finds
its excellence in tie measure OF ex.ctness
which marks the procedure. II moves on
steadily in the path Of the old masters. and
eliminates with the closing lessons they
teach. But not so with genius Having
swept over the plain exhausted by the
cleaners who have gone before-having
mastered the works Of the past and present
and gained the outer limits OF extant
knowledge, it takes flight in advance.
conquering new fields for plodders to com
init, and revealing still other realms for
future voysgers to explore.
There Is the same room for the display
Cf genius In the achievements Of states
manship that there is in the discoveries of
the arts and sciences, and in the uiumphs
of literature; but il comes only with events
out of the usual course. While generally
circumscribed by constitutional boundaries
and barriers, and confined within the lin.
its of experience. frequent occasion re-
laaeao tie nv n rtinpu fro,n tha f,st.yu If No..
cedent and the thraldom Of construction,
because these furnish no rule Of conduct
applicable to the unexampled condition
presented, requiring immediate and I'M
aided adjustment. Such occasions are the
test Of genius in the statesman, charged
with responsibility for at such times only
does he escape from the tyranny Of fixed
opinions, and have leave TO act unhampered
and unembsrrsssed by the authority of
antecedent decision and approved discre-
ton. Then he may rise to the dignity of
originality, and If he is fortunate in his
means and measures his genius Is demon
s,rated and his fame established. Ordina-
rily very common degree Of ability will
serve the State, as duty which consists only
in the copying Of example or the practicing
of precedent demands but small quslificl-
tons, and can give no certificate OF superior
merit even where it exists. The efficient
performance OF routine duties may be OBJ
tanned by the employment of talent with
greater certainty than through the agency
of genius for ii is rarely the casa that
great capacity is equal TO the exactions of
petty responsibility.
The condition Of the United States at
the present time furnishes an almost un-
psralleled opportunity for the discovery Of
genius In our rulers. There is occasion
for lis prescience, and course for its power
which will probably not return to signal
lie craftsmanship or disclose its absence for
generations TO come. This il assuming
that the wisdom exists TO meet and rerre
Il; for, otherwise, II will continue to
plague the people. until the appearance Of
some mighty genius snatches their freedom
and RENTS them to the government of
despots. Unless the present Administra-
ton shall prove itself able to carry out its
promises and restore the unity Of the
county; unless ii shall have the wisdom
To propose and the influence to perfect
measures for the pacifcation of the sections
upon some broad and secure foundation of
respect, fellowship and common welfare,
1t is pretty conclusive that there will never
be such restoration Of the Union as will
offer any guaranty Of permanence to free
institutions. Ifwithin the next four years
this is not accomplished. the situation will
be beyond the ken of statesmanship.