The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-06-12
A CENsURABLE TINDByCY.

One week sgO to-day General Gordon de
livcred in Atlanta, Georgia, long, earnest
and eloquent speech, explanatory OF his
cause in resigning the Senatorship. General
Gordon met with II most enthusiastic reCep-
ton at the hands of his numberless friends,
and his explanations appeared to fully satisfy
hls hearers. Not having read his address we
are not prepared to pronounce upon it nor
is such the purpose Of this article What We
desire now to REMARK with his case Ms "A basis,
Is the tendency of the common mind to too
quickly condemn tho public character for
some seeming error. 1t proverbial that re-
publics are unsratetu nnd every
day begets fr sh proofs OF the cor"
rectuess of the assertion. When
General Gordon's resignation was followed
almost instsntaneousIy by the appointment
of Joseph 4. Brown to fill the formers un,
expired term, there WAS II serious suspicion
that Gordon or Governor Colquitt or both
had gone astray. There was case Of dis
tressing doubt with many of the old soldiers
and Senator'S friends even here in Texas ss
well AS at his home. In the midst of tales
Of recent corruption Of many public men so
highly esteemed in the past, in view of the
fall of 80 many previously trusted leaders,
the case of the distinguished Georgian was
thought to be possibly of similar nature.
This arose not from anything he had ever be-
lore said or done, but because of the unfortu-
nate character borue by the new appointee.
The sentiment seems to be changing, how
ever, and General Gordon's sincerity and in
tegrty Of purpose and statement is getting
to be more aid more generally admitted.
One If the evils OF our system, political and
social, is that we oftentimes and indeed
too frequently jump to conclusions
without giving the subject-matter with all its
relations due CONSIDERATION and weight. The
HERALD has never offered one word of cen
sure or suspicion in regard to the case now
under review. 1t opened its columns on one
occasion tn once ve-y warm friend of the
ex-senator, but we have preferred to wait
and hear from General Gordon. Ho was en-
titled 10 hearing before the pronou0cing of
any decision. He has now been heard from
and we assume that he has fully indicated
not only himself, but Governor Colquit,
as the "Cons;itution' says he has
1t IS this want of impartial treatment by
the press and by the people that so many of
our best men, our ablest intellecs and
purest hearts have been kept out of fields
wherein they might have served with honor
and credit. A mans recorI, his reputation,
ought to be worth something. One VINO has
lived life uniaruished in his public career
and in his private relations ought to be able
to see his words, his assertions go far toward
those to whom he speaks with
ideas favoring his veracitv Yet, because of
some prejudices in the past, some existing
or other things, some minds
are ever on the alert to discover base mo-
tive that prompts leading character to do
certain tn ngs. Incapable of rising to the
height Of turs patriotism themselves they
are eternslly ready to suspect others so con-
structed that the current of their own
thoughts and intents is ever colored and
poisoned by the green monster Suspicion,
. 1, 8 a,
Of any act that does not carry along with it
some subterrsnean purpos We see this
.eudency IN the cisl circle every day; we
witness it in BUSINESS transactions AND it is
rampant in the political spheres. There are
some en- that live on the mountain tops of
brightness and honor, and whose daily lives
ire US open books to be re- I'd If all men, who
breathe the natl air Of independence say |
ny and doing Whist they please, because they
ire Inspired BY only honorable motives, and
,rt the little. pitiful pigmies ia the valley
,e,, take special delight in shooting their
,epAle arrows at the object Of their Jealousy
ina hat. 1t WAS this Infamous tendency
.un, mnie the Athcniaus ostrscise the grAndly
TIT Artist les; this that made them de-
, i've lhsmstocl-i Ut his glory; this
int drove Corolsnus from his beloved
Grme aud ,hi, tendency it is that has exied
Ito oblivion So m4ry noble character that
n some public career OF usefulness might
lave advanced the cause of civilization. There
should be broader mantle of generosity TO
protect those who "hsve done the State
much service" Eulogiums and retractions
,ome too late for the man when he lies stark |
md cold in the collins clasp. Let US censuie
he wrong doer, but lot us not impute wrong
'ul motives without the clearest evidence to
sustain the position.
-
Delegates to Cincinnati.