The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-02-27
WANTED-A STATESMAN.

1t has of late years been conceded that
government must be administered
through party. So true is this, that If
a person accepts a position at the hands
of the opposite party, he must perforce
become an apostate from his former po-
htical belief. During Washington's adj
ministration Jefferson, the leader of the
opposite party, was member of the
cabinet, and the bitterness of the oppo-
sition between him and Hamilton is a
favorite argument with politicians who
wish to exclude those of different po-
Gtical faith from participation in govern
mental affairs. But Hamilton and JEFF
ferson We're statesmen Of pre- eminent
ability though their devotion to princi-
pies partook largely of the bitterness of
political rancor. They worked for the
public good through different channels
and their diverse constructions of the
constitution were the result of a differ
ent course of reasoning having for its
object the furtherance of the public
good
To-day partisanship guides every
movement and the good of the country
is simply incidental. Every movement
is prosecuted for the purpose of enhan-
cling party interest and if good to the
country is the accidental consequence,
party, w'irh sought only its own ag-
grandizement, is applauded. There is
no party in existence to-day which would
not willingly advance its own interest at
the expense of the government. The
business of congress, as understood by
members, is not to enact salutary laws
and to labor for the prosperity of the
country at large, but to struggle for
supremacy, entirely ignoring needed leg
islation. Time is frittered away on
| unimportant and supremely silly matters,
simply because there seems to be some
little chance of adding to the record of
party victories. And these victories are
as fruitless in party advantage as in
good to the country.
1t is not that the condition of affairs is
such that time may be given to party
squabbling without detriment to the
affairs of the nation, because there are
many things that imperatively demand
attention. The condition of the Indians,
their scandalous treatment by the de-
partment under whose protection they
are placed, and the infamous corruption
of Indian agents, furnish an ample field
for the display Of craftsmanship. Instead,
we find congress deeply interested i'll the
personal quarrels of Conkling and Presi-
dent Hayes We find national legisIa-
tors tanning the flames of sectional
hatred and keeping alive the memories
of a past war, when workingmen are
suffering for lack of employment from
insufficient wages and from other causes
which properly come within the province
of congress to remedy. But such as
these receive no consideration or are
subordinated to matters which contribute
to party success.
Men are elected to office to-day more
on account of their unwavering partisan
ship than because they can in any way
respond to call for craftsmanship. Sen
ator Davis could not to-day be elected
over John A. Logan. Davis has
developed qualities which prove him a
safe counselor, patriotic man and an
able legislator, He has imbibed none of
the bitterness of party and is sneered at
by the stalwarts of both parties because
he gives his attention to the needs of the
country, and takes no part in debates
which embitter party spirit.
1t is a matter of surprise that the peo-
pie encourage their representatives to
disregard legislation and enter the arena
of political discussion. Zach Chandler,
when addressing the caucus which NOM
mated him was most warmly applauded
when denouncing Tilden as a fraud.
Blaine's bitter TRADES against the south
awaken far more enthusiasm than do the
wholesome bills which the industrious
and faithful Davis introduces. Blaine,
Conkling, Chandler and Logan have
their praises sounded in every republican
paper, and for what2 Because they assail
their countrymen for being democrats.
Davis, the man who should stand fore
most IN the estimation of the country is
siightlingly spoken of, as man who gen.
orally votes with the democrats on party
questions. The people demand partisan
ship and they receive it at the expense of
needed legislation. I faint effort was
made some few years ago to retire men
who were rendered incompetent through
too much attachment to party. Logan
gave way to Davis, Chandler to Chris
tlancy. The retirement of the two was
as wise rs the election of the men who
succeeded them. But that timid spirit
of progress soon exhausted its meager
allowance of nourishment and mo states
man need apply is again the party
watchword.
The accounts given of the plague in
Russia seem too terrible for belief. 1t is
said thousands upon thousands are dy-
ing, that the population of whole villages
are utterly wiped out and that a Gordon