New-York tribune., 1881-07-17

gain he studies some branch of science, physi-
cal or social, and talks intelligently of Bas-
tians theories of molecular life or the last good
thing in prison reform or drainage. But he lets
politics severely alone. 1t /" is dirty trade;
he leaves it to those whose hands are already
soled with corruption. He is apt to have
blind unreasonable faith in some noted man,
Hayes or Grant, Davis or Stephens. He will
believe 10 harm of this demigOd would will
ingly vote for him or the measures he sup
ports till he has voted his last ticket He is
usually, too, led in his political opinions by
some outspolcn partisan newspaper in which
he has put faith for years lie is apt to be re-
garded as stubborn, bigotcd party man for
these reasons. But he takes no personal part in
politics. He will not go to primary elections
when yOu tell him of the corruption and fraud in
this party or that he shakes his head sadly and
goes about his own business precisely as if you
had told him of the ravages of the plague in
Farther India. What has he to do with that
affair? He would be no more likely to write
speak publicly on such Il subject than he
would be to bring himself into notice by com
mtting bigamy or burglary. lie is, in short,
an atom of that great unpublished, inert mass of
obscure people that makes up the foundations
of our country.
Now AMI them however, an electric spark
will vitaiize this mass, or rather like a light
suddenly placed III lamp, will show the stuff
whereof it is made, and the real purpose of it,
1t needs some such occurrence as the assassina-
ton of the President to serve as such a conduc-
tor of electricity. Those of us who are middle
aged remember how slow and difficult was the
task of forcing these inert masses both in the
North and South into war with each other
de nitl SiI la Il
managed and shrieked out appeals in vain
How even after Bull Run the great good
humored majority "gucssed or reckoned it
would all come right in month or twon; and
how at last they woke to IL full sense OF the real
condition of affairs, and rushed into the bloody
work. The was brought by the people to
Il different and nOblcr basis from that on which
it was planned by the politicians for their own
advancement, and urged to far higher conclu-
sions. We all remember, too, how before it was
over scheming Presidential aspirants began to
bcsmirch Lincon's reputation. There was
little corruption or dishonesty possible to his
Office of which he was not accused by them
while as usual, the people lent sluggish. half
conscnting ears. But when he fell murdered
the Nation rose, recognized his real worth, and
placed him first on its list of saints and heroes
Whether it would have done this unless wax
cncd 10y Booths shot there is room to doubt
There is, too, a fine justice in its slow, ire
vocable decisions when they are finally made.
against which the strongest man will struggle
in vain. 1t was they, not the Bosses or Office
holders who decided that the most popular
idol they have had since Washington was in
tended only for the role of great soldier, and
totally unfit To be their ruler Such verdict
once rendered on the plain bases of facts and
common sense, 10y such jury, is irrcvocablc.
1t is, as we all knew, a provokingly slow,
Obstinate good humored jury it is 10th to rem
der any verdict beyond, "Gdilty, but recon-
mcndcd to the mercy of the Court Hence
when II does condemn there is no appeal. 1t is
likely that if Guicau had never fired that shot it
would have watched the disgaccful squabble
for office and the fight of Bosses, which have
disEraccd us for nearly forty years unchecked
go on to the end with lazy amusement. But
while the President lay dying, as was supposed
the righteous flaming Indignation of thi, silent
mass broke out in words never to be recalled
We venture to believe that in future not only
the Gutcaus among us but the men who made
them what they are will be thrust To their
rightrul place. Not only have the people in
these last two weeks recognized General Garfield
as an honest, sincere man, but they have de-
clarcd in favor Of honesty and against corruD-
ton as they have never done before. Those
whom it concerns may take warming in time
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