The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-12-22


'ort of stock, arc feared In the same cliar
actor OF homes, under the same political,
moral and religious institutions
aud articles Of belief that all other citizens
nrc subjected to and moulded by and II Is
absurd therefore to charge thom generally
with any greater dcprarity than character
ICES the majority Of men. The science 81
government, as well as Its practical OPP
crations, should be studied and car
ried on by somebody and II Is
better that experienced men, who have
made such things their business, should
as n rule be entrusted with the reins than
that crude and unframed thinkers in
the premises should be depended upon for
the management and administration of the
multiplied agencies and exigencies of gov
eminent. In short politics is a profession,
a business, and the practical politician is
not only useful, but he is necessity. The
prejudice therefore among the masses
against him is absurd and unwise But,
while we do not share in the seemingly uni.
yersal adverse sentiment toward
this particular order OF our citizens, we can
not find it possible to advise the adoption
Of the calling by the young men, or old,
who wish for a permanent success in life.
BY the very Constitution and peculiarities
of our political system, the young men,
those with brains and ambition, are prone
to rush into the walks OF public life, and at
an age when, in other countries, men are
just beginning to take hold of Government
affairs, become confirmed politicians with
habits and tastes totally uniting them
for any other life. Failure, therefore
means failure of life to them. Particu.
larly are such minds drawn into the vortex
of politics when they dream over the great.
ness and fame of Pitt or Mirabeau, JEFF
fcrson or Webster. In the heyday of life
and hope only those name. are seen which
are synonymous with power and great
achievements and in the enthusiasm of the
first start the wrecks and failures are for.
gotten. The last year Of American politics
to go no farther back, furnishes much food
for reflection upon the past of those
who are pursuing the ignis fatnus Of
political lame, and when contrasted
with the accumulation of riches and power
and the assured permanency and brilliancy
of the success of thousands in the other
and business walks of life cannot but teach
salutary lessons and furnish the plain
est warnings. In the United States Senate
just one year ago Messrs. Conk.ing and
Blaine and Thurman were the, recognized
intellectual lights. Neither Webster, nor
Clay, nor Pitt when he dominated the
House of Commons, ever possessed more
prestige or power than they and yet not one
OF them to-day has voice in public affairs,
but all have been driven by the
uncertain and changing conditions of pub
lie opinion into "dignified obscurity."
On the other hand, the man who was turned
out Of subordinate position of the gov
crnment not two years or more ago, is the
President of the United States while his
predecessor after a life's struggle, was con-
signed to the grave by an assassin's hand
just as he had reached the long sought for
goal But Curtin and Seymour and Tilden
and Trumbull and host of others, still in
the prime of intelectuul manhood, and who
once were the princes in American politics,
in their present station and past
history but repeat the story of the
vanity of a political career however prom
ising and brilliant and are indisputable
testimonials of the poverty ofpolitics as
Instances without number
might be cited, but these are enough. Poll
tics is Il poor profession. 1t is poor pay and
ihankless and being dependent upon will
,r opinion, that of the ever excitsble and
90 often unjust mass, as unstable as
water" gives no promise that ambition will
ever be realized or success achieved or fame
won. For these reasons VIC regret to see
10 many Of the young and talented men of
he country devoted to this idle of clay and
Wasting energies and gifts that might in
thor channels provo Of
benefit to the material
,reatness of their country and secure for
heir possessor both power and wealth, both
anne and an enduring success. In the
rowing enterprises of the day, the estab-
ishment of great highways of trade and
he building up Of powerful corporations,
he tunneling of mountains, thu bridging |
( seas, the perfection of architecture and |
he various improvements in the arts of
wing, fields are Furnished for genius and !
mbition where the industrious cleaner
an satisfy the most craving soul. |
md in these walks we need the
,lent of the land. The age, government,
nterprise, life, everything is becoming
tactical and utilitarian, and it must be ad-
lifted that the man with means and men
his command, whether bank president
r railroad king, or merchant or journalist
: what not, controls to preportionate ex-
mt politicians and legislation, is really the
over behind the throne. 1t is not Arthur
: Sherman or Blaine, statesman or soldier
no controls and shapes the destinies Of
merica to-day, but Gould and Hun
ngton and Vanderbilt and the men
no manage the corporations and the fnsr.
= of the country. II the young and the
Iore advanced men Of our mighty Repub-
c would only begin to drop politics as
Dor profession and devote themselves with
ie same zeal and study and ambition 10
'e opening and attractive opportunities
Finished by the business walks Of society
ID fall into the ranks Of the practical and
aterial progress Of the day, there would
: not only powerful addition TO the
'untry's energies, but fewer restless, dis
'poinied and unhappy political failures.
hose only mission il 70 always keep up
snd and distressing issues.
THE London Observer has lately been
at some length on affairs on
is side the waters and has a word to say
'out Mr. Blaine in the frst place and also
e Guitsau trial. The Observer Il NOT very
Win ~<fnr.uo< - - -. ! .