Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-28
The Ancient, and the Modern
Statesman.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

practice denounced by Washington
as fraught with danger to our insti-
tutions is zealously defended by
the mon who are foremost in pol
itics in our times. A question that
cannot easily be avoided is. Which
view of the case is dictated by
patriotism?
An incident in Washington's
early manhood brings into promi-
hence another notable difference
between his character and that of
many officials of modern times
When in the Continental Congress,
Of which he was O member, his
name was presented for comman-
dcr-in-chief of the colonial forces,
surprised and confused, he rushed
from the hall to escape the embar-
rassment Of the situation. Through
out his whole career we have no
evidence that he ever sought Off
cial station. Such an act would
scarcely have been consistent with
the general tenor of his life. Per-
haps it was but the logical result
of his manner of viewing the pub
lie service, that he should rather
shrink from office than desire it.
TO him its duties and responsible
tiles were of infinitely greater
weight than its emoluments. But
while it is not commended that a
course quite different from that
observed by Washington in respect
to oilice-holding is necessarily
incompatible with real devotion to
the public interests, the statement
is unquestionably true, that a mans
desire for official distinction is not
always mn exact measure of his
fitness for it. Modern politics makes
it III invariable rule to bestow the
honors and emoluments of office
upon those who clamor loudest, and
work hardest for place; and the
question of fitness is often quite
sunk out of sight. Men become
oblivious to, or willfully overlook
tho fact that his very intensity Of
desire is often Indicative of a selfish
purpose and not u wish to serve the
highest interests of the state. The
present year has witnessed tho cleo
ton of a number of U. $. Senators.
Let us attend for q moment to tie
reports that have reached lis from
the several State capitals during the
of the election of men to
the highest legislative body in the
land. From one we learn that the
several candidates for this high
honor appeared on the ground
prior to the opening of
the legislature, each attended by
his retinue of retainers and hench-
men like baron of the fcudal
ages; and all Of these as ready to
do valiant service for their respec-
tive chiefs, rs the vassals of the
olden time, though with quite diff
ferent weapons. In another State,
4 prominent eandidatc-and the
one who attained the coveted dis
Linction-distrustful of the efficacy
Of all the plans usually adopted for
winning votes called to his aid the
and social influence of
his wife; who by her tact secured
The votes of members who were
by all other influences
4 help-meet in the literal sense of
The word. In others we hear of
certain candidates for recollection
leaving their seats i'll the Senate to
add their personal influence to the
other agencies employed by them;
and from nearly all comes the old
story of the employment of ques-
Iionable practices in the conven-
ions and elections held previous to
sho assembling Of the legislatures
ina word, the story ofthe II adjustment
md vigorous use of what is termed
the machine. Imagine now the
of George Washington
III Il scene like those that have been
at several Of the State cap
tails! Could anything more ineon-
sruous be thought of The places
49,. In, -. 4. IL. .l....l =