The Republican journal., 1883-11-22
Concerning Candidates.

1t is good thing for Massachusetts that
George ID. Robinson was nominated and elected
Governor, and other States NAV profit by the
example. But nowhere was the lesson his can.
didacy and election teaches so much needed AS
in Massachusetts. 1t has been the custom in
that State to look only TO certain families and
cliques for candidates for Office and to ignore
the great majority, including the young men
who are yearly entering upon the arena of af
fairs. The people were beginning to grow
FESTIVE under this condition of things. and the
feeling it aroused had much to do with securing
the election of Butler last year. Americans do
not take kindly to the idea that certain men are
born with proscriptive right to political hon
ors. but they bore il with more or less patience
in Massachusetts until Butler raised the stand
ard of revolt. and then they put him in the
Governors chair, ''to see what he would do"
Still, the warning does not appear TO have been
needed, and but for Il lucky chapter of accidents
Butler might have been again victorious this
year. 1t was good fortune that secured the
nomination of Mr.. Robinson. and to him is due
the credit of saving the Cd Commonwealth
from further disgrace. Yet he was cOmpara-
lively unknown in Massachusetts, before he was
nominated. He was better known in Washing
ton than in his native State. His Congressional
reputation was that of student, worker, one
who applied himself diligently to the tasks be-
fore him. and not that of public speaker Yet
the speeches he made during the late campaign
were unquesionaby the most remarkable series
of addresses ever delivered from the stump in
Massachusetts. No one who has read them can
deny that Mr.. Robinson has won IA place in the
foremost ranks Of our public men. Nor can
any one doubt that be will be a model Govern
or.
1t is to be hoped that the revelation of Mr.
RobinSOn'S quaIites-for il amounted to a rev
citation even in Massachusetts will tend to
break up the practice which has existed there
and elsewhere Of choosing candidates within
narrow limits. There are more men of ability
in this country than is generally supposed.
Talent is not always hereditary, and wealth
while il can confer advantages. does not ensure
all those qualities which go to make up the
statesman or successful man of business. To
fully carry out the theory of our form Of gov
eminent we must 90 to the people for our can
didates, and never fear but that the American
people will provide men amply qualified for
the highest positions in their gift. We ar too
much given to worshpping the men of tda
past, and to ignoring the men of the pre>t mt
and future. With all Difference to the states
men whose achievements are recorded on the
pages Of American history. we arr firm in the
belief that their equals, at least are to be found
in this country to-day. In some instances all
that is needed is opportunity, and that may not
always come. but when it does the man will be
found equal to the occasion,
But it may be asked, Shall we take the I'M
known and untried men for our standard bear
erS: Well, that has been done in some instances
with complete success. Perhaps the most not:-
Die ease was the first nomination Of Abraham
Lincoln. than whom no one of our long line of
Presidents ranks higher to-day in public est-
nation. 1t would no doubt be better some
times to take the mtried man than many anoth-
CT who is taken. If we can get back to the
principle that it j. the office which seeks the
man and not the man the office 50 much the
better. That WAS true of Mr. Robil~on's can
ddacy and it had much to DO with securing
his election There can be no mistake in pro-
noting man who has done hi, whole duty in
whatever sphere u life he may have moved.
lie that is faithful in that which is least is
faithful also il much1