Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-09-19

The question of Senator.

The question of Senator.
The Republican papers of the
State seem pretty generally to &C.
quiesce in the opinion that it is not
advisable to raise any personal dis
cussion respecting candidates for
United States Senator prior to the
November election.
There is. of course possibility
that we may fail to secure majority
in the Legislature. In that case
such discussion would prove q mere
waste of energy and would expose
US to derisive remarks on tho part
of the victors. But stronger OBJ
lection to it lies in the personal Bit
terness and divisions it would tend
to introduce in the canvass, while
the united and hearty cooperation
IF all Republicans is important to in.
sure success. The best interests of
the party and State require that
men Of character and intelligence
should be nominated as candidates
for the Legislature, who are uncom-
mitted on the Senatorial question,
and who will If elected, earnestly en-.
deavor to find and support the fittest
man for Senator. They ought not
to be chosen. openly or secretly, as
somebody's men.
1t would be expecting too much OF
human nature, doubtless, to antic,-
pate that ouch course will be gen.
orally pursued. However much the
introduction of the Senatorial ques-
ton in tho canvass may be depreca-
tod, it is not likely that all the aspir-
ants for the Senatorial prize will be
able so far TO repress their noble rage
as wholly TO subdue the temptation
of seeking to pack the Legislature in
their own interests 1t is not prob
able that all of them are so calmly
conscious of their own fitness as to
be willing TO take the chance of a
spontaneous set OF public sentiment
in their favor. They will be more
likely to be haunted by the convic.
ton that it will need a good deal of
lively effort and urgent persuasion
to turn it in that direction at all.
Hence more or less of vigorous in
triguing, energetic wire pulling, and
what is termed Setting up the pine,
will doubtless be carried on, and by
none more actively, perhaps, than
by those who talk loudest 10 public
IN favor of keeping the senatorial
| question out of the autumn canvass.
The policy forms a convenient
cover for such operations, and this
is the strongest objection to it. New
ertheless, the arguments in its favor
seem to outweigh those against it.
There is, however, one aspect of
the Senatorial question that ought
to be carefully considered and dis
cussed by the press and by the peo-
| pie, now when candidates for the
Legislature are being selected. 1t
involves no personal or partisan is-
sue. Its discussion is equally impor-
tant and equally pertinent by either
of the parties that hopo to be able
| to elect q Senator next winter. 1t
is the character of the man who
shall be elected. Without attempt
ing to designate individuals, the peo-
pie may and should indicate the kind
of man they desire to see chosen and
the kind of man they do not desir Q
to see chosen. They may properly
instruct their legislative candidates
on these points without giving any
Aspirant for Senatorial honors, or his
friends, reason to complain.
The term of q Senator is as long o
one as official terms 60. Much may
happen in six years. Many existing
questions may be settled, and many
new and unforeseen ones may arise
within that time. For a Senator we
want man who is not only right
now, but who is likely to keep on The
side of right in the future; one in
whose uprightness, discretion and
sagacity we can rely TO meet tho is-
sues of the future as we'll as. those OF
the present; man possessing the
intellectual force and culture tho
moral strength and courage which
are essential in order properly to fill
that high position. He should be
something moro than a mere politi-
clan, skilled in the art Of pack ing
caucuses and managing conventions.
He should be man Of oomprehen-
sive views whose influence would be
felt 10 the State and in the country,
in maintaining Q high standard Of
principles and 10 elevating the tone
and character Of politics. The ma
chine politician is tho bane Of the
country at this time The purpose
of his life is to get and hold Office.
Once in Congress, hi- study is how
to secure reelection. To this end
his energies arc devoted 10 forming
. personal clique Of rotainers Al
home. He cares nothing tor gener-
eral legislation. but he comes out
strong in log-rolling for appropria-
lions for bis state aud district and
for securing appointments for men
who will blow his trumpet at home
j and be his faithful servitofs. 1t ia
no part of his policy to help main