Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-29
Che familu Cirtle.
Conscience In Politics.

Sheridan who knew the roues and poll
ticians thoroughly, makes character IN
one of his comedies say Conscience has
no more to do with gallantry than it has
with politics." The sentiment is shame
fully bad one, and yet we fear It is still as
popular with politicians as it is with roues.
The times are not any worse now than
thew were when Sheridan sneered at con-
science in politics. Even in the patriotic
DAYS when the colonies were struggling to
enforce the maxim, Taxation without
representation is tyranny" there were
those who ridiculed the idea of honesty in
politics as higll-fiown notion. An anec-
dote of those days illustrates this DISPOSE
ton.
James Otis had in 17G0 become so popu-
lar with the Boston patriots that they
determined to elect him IL representative
to the general court, such being the legal
name of the legislature. One day. Otis,
meeting willy politician who had secured
an election for several years, remarked;-
"They talk Of sending me to the next
general court"
You have, Mr.. OTIS" replied the
politician, "ten times the learning and
ability that have, but you won't succeed
in the general court,-you know nothing
of human nature"
"Jnleedm answered Otis, with a smile.
Il wish you would give me few les
sons"
~ will do 50 with pleasure, and will
begin now. What meeting do you go
| TOP"
CDR. Sewall's," said Otis, referring 10
| tie pastor of the Old South church.
Very well! you must stand up in
sermon time, look devout and attentive.
Do you have family prayersP'
mo"
cit would be we'll if you did. How
many does your family consist OFF"
-Four or five, generally, but now |
have an addition-.one Of Dr.. SewalIs
members, who is nurse to my wife"
That's the very thing. You must talk
religion with her, and have family prayers
at least once while she is in the house.
That woman can do you much harm or
good She will spread the fame of your
piety throughout DR.. Sewall's church.
Let me tell you," continued the poiti-
clan without a conscience. chow manage.
Two or three weeks before an election
comes on, send to the cooper and get all
my casks put in order. say nothing
about the number of hoops. send also to
the masons and have some job done to the
hearths and chimneys. The carpenter is
hired to make repairs in the roof. / often
90 down to the shipyards about eleven
o'clock when they break off to take their
drink, and enter into conversation with
them. They all, coopers, carpenters,
masons and shipwrights vote for me-"
OTIS and the crafty demagogue parted.
Both were elected to the next general court.
by the means similar to those he used in
persuadng the people to elect him, the
politician got the House to appoint him a
member of the governors council. Then,
for Il long time he neglected to visit the
ship-yards. On his next visit, one of the
men remarked, with a sarcastic smile
" on don't come to see us so often as
you did before you got into the council"
Well, boys, that's true" said the
intriguing politician, with Il laugh, "but
the fact is, my time is all taken up. Be.
sides, don't you know that the house OF
representatives chooses the councilp'
Human nature is pretty much the same
at all times, and political human nature is
always the same,-that is. the mere politi.
clan always looks out for No. l. conscience
or no conscience. He is one of the cor
rupting evils of q republican government.
1t is a we'll known fact that politics
when followed as Il business, and high.
toned morality never coalesce Selfinter-
est is the "higher law to the mere politi-
clan, cxpediency his rule of life" His
success is his duty. THE means are
Justified by the end" is his motto.
n Such men are often honest in their
private lives, but in politics no trick is 50
vain that they will not use it, no way SO
"dalk < that they will not walk therein if
thereby they may gain II political advan-
tage. Honorable men are repealed by
their crafliness and falsehoods; "lewtl
fellows of the baser sort" gravitate toward
them. They are the tools of their trade.
This is not an attractive analysis of a
class of men who ought to be the honora-
BILE though unsalaried servants of the state.
But 4" tbs true, and pity Ills It's true.''-
Youths Companion.