The Russellville Democrat., 1882-03-16

and not unlrequently, in the race for political honors, too much for plain honesty and modest worth, 1t becomes obvious that we cannot be too eau tlous and circumspect in the disposal of political trusts and emoluments.
 It IS not ny intention to specify or recommend any particular indi- viduals for office, but to particular ize some of the qualifications which we believe indispensable to the sue. cessful and honorable performance of the duties which devolve npon a few of the respective incumbents.
 In the first place, let us notice q virtue which should be common to all public servants, from the gover- nor of the state, down to the consta- ble of q township-EoNEsTY. All other qualifications. together with the highest order of abilities. cannot constitute reliable servant of the people, unless these be guided by honest principles. Great abilities, if welded by public malefactor, will only serve to work greater inju " to the people, should individual interest seem to require dishonest and harmful measures. Then in the coming election, let every voter esteem HONESTY as G primary and in dlspensable qualification for the sue cess of aspirants to office.
 It IS of course understood that the hlghes. order of abilities is needed Tn our states chief executive. This is demanded, no less by onr financial and neral welfare, than for the sup port of our states credit and reputa- tion abroad. He should possess nat ural abilities of the first order, and these should be supplemented by cd ucation, moral culture, hard, pracli- cal common sense, and as thorough a knowledge as possible, of the wants of every portion of the state over which he is called to preside. With liberal and comprehensive views, and perfect freedom from the ham pering influence of prejudice, he shoult possess the most intleXible tirmness of character, and a total in difference to either applause or re proach when these would suggest Q sacrifice of the principles of justice, or an abandonment of the best inter ests of the people. If he is to pilot our ship of state through the treach erous waters of political strife and artiiice, how important that he should have the knowledge to locate proba ble dangers, the skill to avoid them, and the firmncss to follow safe and prudent course, notwithstanding the opposition and the noisy islander winch hls frmness may elicit from the uniformed, and from those who may have an eye to individual profit or agrandiZement He is interested with the protection and supervision of our highest intercsts-our welfare in & great measure rests in his hands-and he is paid a handsome salary for his services; then should he not employ the most diiigent, acute and impartial eyes, ears and understanding, for the faithful and honorable fultillment of the commis- sion which he has solicited and ac- cepted? He IS chosen to see, hear and act for the people at large; there fore, his wisdom and firmness should not be of character that will sub jcct us to the confusion and distress which characterized the head" and "taIf in the servants fable: "The tail, it seems. one day quarreled with the head and, instead of being forced always to follow, insisted that it should lead Tn it's turn. Accordingly the tail undertook the charge, and as it moved forward, at all adven lures, it tore itself in a terrible man ner, and the head being obliged against nature to follow q guide that could neither see nor hear, suffered likewise in it's turn" Have we not suffered from similar Dredlcament in our state since the war? Attached entirely to the capricious multitude" " says Plutarch, "such governors pro duce such disorders as they can nei ther redress nor restrain" This, or something like this" continues this renowned biographer and phi losopher of the ancients, "should be said to tlattcrers and to the incon siderate multitudc: You cannot have the same man foryour governor and your slave" Let us examine our candidate for governor, with ref ference to established reputation for the virtues 0, honesty, understand, ing, prudence, caution, tirmncss, ca pability.
 Let us, now, consider briefly, q few of the attributes which should be esteemed indispensable in our legislator. When we think of the character and importance of the work which he is chosen to do, it becomes obvious that the importance of electing a good and capable man to this high and responsible position cannot be too urgently insisted upon. His patriotism should be of a char acter that will not admit a suspicion o( vcnality, and should insure the subordiration of all selfish interests to those higher interests of his con. stituency--the kind and trusting people, who have promoted him and trusted their welfare in his hands. Ills common sense should perceive