Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-12
The Scholar In Politics.


What is it then that deters still many of
the educated classes from active participa-
tion in public life2 / can discern only two
reasons that might be called serious. One
is that the method of practical politics
which have grown from the spoils system
render 1t difficult TO high-toned men of pure
aims, who will not descend TO the low arts
of the wire-puller and patronage-monger to
exercise large influence, or at least TO get
into positions where they might make their
abilities most directly useful or, If, by
happy accident they got there, to maintain
themselves there. This is indeed difficulty
from which in our days but few seem to be
exempt. But if there is such system, is
there not also so much greater necessity
for vigorous effort to put an end to it2 Is
that system not more likely to continue if
men of high purpose yield the field to it2
Do not the press and the platform to-day fur
nisb more powerful agencies of influence
upon the public mind than ever before2 Do
we not see at this very moment one popular
insurrection after another battering the
strongest fortresses in which that vicious
system has intrenched itselfP Is it not now
time that the best thought of the country
should give strength and direction and con-
fidence to these movements, and is there not
hope, real, wel-founded hope, that by cour.
ageous and persevering effort that best
thought may at last reconquer its largest
field of usefulness? II now the scholar fails
to do his duty in politics, will he ever again
have a right to complain of lack of oppor-
tunity2 Will not the fault be wholly his
own? Another reason is that men active
in public life are exposed to all sorts of
slander and defamation from low black
guards. Well, what of it2 Men of expert
ence will tell you that you will render the
most venomous defamer harmless by letting
him disdainfully alone. Or, if it gives you
pleasure, and you have time to spare, you
may expose him for the public benefit and
amusement. But necessary it is not. Pub.
lie opinion is always just in its final judg-
ments. Unscrupulous slander and unjust
vituperation carry their antidote with them.
An honorable character well built up by
honest conduct and patriotic service can
safely defy wanton attempts to destroy it.
1t will issue from the contest with great
brightness and also with just pride. For a
man of genuine, well-founded self-respect
will be rather proud of the fact that scound-
rels are his enemies. Read upon your
soldiers monuments the laurel-crowned
names of American scholars in the war.
They did not think of deserting their colors
and running home to their cosy libraries
when the roads in the field were muddy.
Worse than all the ISLANDERS of the black
guards would it be, if it could truthfully be
said Of the American scholar in peace, that
when his country called upon him to con-
tribute his knowledge, his genius, his high
sense of honor TO those discussions and
movements of opinion which are the life
pulsation of the republic, he did not find pol
itics nice enough for him. Pardon this
seemingly disparaging suggestion. know
it would be grievously unjust to apply it to
the very many who with patriotic spirit
stand already in the front. trust the time
is not far when it cannot be applied with
justice to any-Carl Schurz.