Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-01-06
NO. 5.
MistelIaneous.
FLUENT BLACKGuARDIsA.

In one of Albert Gallatin's letters, re-
Gently published, he warns his cores
pondent not TO be troubled by the cry of
Pharisce, which his political opponents
will be sure to raise against him. 1t is
policy akin to that of abusing the plain
titf's attorney. To sneer ut u man affect
ing superior virtue because he prefers de-
eency and truthfnlness in dealing, wheth-
er in politics, or in business. or in any re-
lation of life, is very amusing but an un-
deniably effective proceeding 1t is really
4 charge of hypocrisy. It assumes that
nobody sincerely wishes anything but what
is mean and contemplate. and that to pro-
fess preference for cleanliness is but n
more disgusting form of meanness. The
truth is. that the mere suggestion of de-
cency is n reproach to those who are sat
isfed to lie in the mire. and inevitably it
extorts the grrnt Of angry sarcasm.
This cry of Pharseeism is especially
common in politics. A young naa be-
ginning ..to attend to his duties as an
American citizen" finds Immediately that
he has to sacrifice his self-respect, to flat
ter and whcedle and lie, to effect good-fel-
lowship with men whom he sees 30 be des-
picable, to drink and 'treat," and run
wild de mashecn." and clap 1.-THE boys" ON
the back, and to affect to believe Of his
political adversaries what DIR. johnson as
serted of his. ''that the devil was the first
Whig.' If he does not conform--if he
declines to drink, and prefers to talk hon.
estly, and to show that he scorns the petty
arts that are instinctively repulsive to
every generous man--he is marked by his
more cunning opponents and it is they,
not those whom he is accused of hOuting
who sneer privately to their henchmen
that he is "stuck-up." and "unco guid,"
and "high and mighty" and "too proud
to speak to poor man," We have heard
a bar-room statesman insist that man
who brought his own cigars to political
meeting at the tavern, instead of buying
them at the bar. could not hope to succeed
in public life.
Don't be troubled. said Gallatin, be-
cause you are called Pharisee. Black.
guardism is not difficult art, but ii is
very costly to the performer. When A
pets b with sarcasm and ridicule, Is, If he
can talk at all, can easily retort. But il
is well for him if he has learned that such
missiles recoil and wound the thrower.
Many public man, for the gratitica-
ton of the hour, in giving way to his own
bitter feeling amid the delighted applause
of loyal stupidity, which innocently con-
founds jury with force. has forfeited for
ever the respect Of really honorable men.
II is a terrible gift that of fluent black
guartlism. however easy it may be. and
the more intelligent the black guard, the
more fatal the fluency.
1t is fatal to the black guard. however,
in the estimation of really high-minded
men. The universally Of the practice,
which Gallat n remarks. shows its effect
iveness. Non-conformity condemns con-
formity. Not to yield 10 the usual Gus
tom is to criticisc those who yield as weak
or deceived. So when a political orator,
addressing multitude Of politicians who
hold that intrigue and bribery and swind-
ling ofevery Kind are pardonable in poll
ties, sneers ut the men who do not believe
that political bricks can be made without
the straw of honor and honesty, rs Puri-
tans and Pharisees, the crowd feel that
they are justified. and shout with triumph
over the pretentious hypocrites and snug
saints. The orator pleases the crowd, but
the iudicious grieve. lie gains the world,
but he loses his own soul. The slums may
follow the blackguard, but honorable men
demand different leader.
But the cry of Pharisee is not only mis-
sile it is also measure of him who hurls
it. II is not an argument II is simply an
appeal to the prejudice Of base minds.
The man who resorts to it reveals his own
essential baseness. With whatever rhet-
oric he may ornament it, he cannot con-
ceal it, and the rhetoric is but decoration
of carrion. The test Of power in the con-
tention Of debate is the ability to scorn re-
lance upon these Cowboy and Skinner
tactics. They do not assail the argument
of an opponent. They do not meet the
foe in a fair field. They skulk and dodge.
and strike from behind and in the dark.
His opponent sits down, and Cleon rises.
He ridicules the face, the form, the move-
ment, of his antagonist. He sneers that he
is an angel astray in this wicked world, u
Phsrisee thanking God that he is not ~
other men. The crowd delightedly cheer.
A Pharisee! a pharisee! That Is the end
Of the argument, The orators victory is
complete. What an able man! What an
ugly foe! But his name is Cleon; it is not
Pericles.--Editor's Easy Chair, IN Har.
Der's Mn0nzi1e for Jnnunry.