The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-25
USE AND ABUSE OF POLITICS.

brings forward into prominence, some very
marked characters, as much opposed to each
other in nature as can we'll be conceived.
Its varying opportunities offer tempting in
ducements to adventures while its honors
attract men of nobler stamp. Politics led
history one of its greatest characters. Poll
tics, used as a means for self enrichment,
made Tweed notorious and finally landed
him in a felon's cell. 1t is the
proper use or the abuse of political
means that makes them honorable or
the opposite. Politics, like any
other pursuit, is honorable or otherwise ac-
cording to the person interested. A man
may honor himself saving wood or in any
other honorable pursuit. A bank president
or the treasurer of any corporation may dis
grace himself by violating the trust imposed
in him. Politics is a pliable substance, and,
like wax, may be fashioned at the manipu-
lator's will into an angel or devil. Nor is
it just to unqualifedly denounce profess
Eional politicians. There are many such who
are as good and valuable cit
liens as such as are any In
the republic Politics, in its proper sense,
is a science requiring the deepest study and
closest attention. The science of wisely
governing mighty republic like our own is
worthy the profoundest consideration of the
greatest minds. A man may proftably and
creditably devote his time talents and best
energies to its comprehension, and having
mastered it, it is his to use it well or ILL., 1t
is no mean thing for the politician to seek
preferment and high office. 1t is an honora-
bic ambition as much as is the ambition of
any man to excel in his peculiar calling.
Having qualified himself, it is but
natural, and it is also commenda-
Bile, that he should aspire to be-
come a member of Congress- United
States senator or even President of the Re-
public 1t is no dscredt to Mr.. Blaine, Mr..
Bayard, Mr.. Edmunds, or Mr.. Mcdonald
that they should regard this the browning
ambition OF any mans life. 1t may be
claimed that Washington, Jackson and
Grant became President through the lottery
of war. They were notable men both as
military leaders and as chief executives of
the republic Others such as jefferson,
Adams and Lincoln, attained the presidency
through politics. Not that they manipu-
lated politics to that end, but that they were
thoroughly conversant with the science
OF politics, and the people, knowing their
eminent qualifications, chose to elect them.
To each OF these notable men the study of
politics was prominent feature of their pub
lie lives. How well they acquitted them
selves when they reached the summit of their
ambition is a matter of history.
But there are others who make politics, or
political machinery, study for a far differ
emit reason, and to the attainment of person.
al selfish ends Tweed knew enough about
politics to enable him to run things" and
he did run things for years until he was
very autocrat in New York city
politics He could make and unmake men
at his will He sought men who would do
his bidding, and those he elevated. Did any
dare refuse they were put down. He plum
dored the city treasury, and was so confident
in his power to manage things that his de-
fant "Wbat are you going to do about it?"
became a national by-word. Stephen W.
Dorsey has made politics study to the same
purpose. He learned the workings of the
machinery of politics so well that he conf
IDENTIFY expected his proficiency in this direc-
tion to shield him in questionable transac-
lions in Others, and when he was
finally oyertaken, felt much as Tweed did
under similar circumstances. He escaped
his deserts on technical grounds but was 50
embittered against the party that stopped
his unwarranted moneygetting schemes that
ne turned upon it and sought to injure it
in order to have revenge. HIS assault upon
Garfield has been vicious and persistent and
his venom has been made the text of many
partisan editorials in the opposition papers
Garfield was politician in its nobler sense.
He attained Tie highest goal in
national politics in manner that
left no stain upon his name as
man and as a Christian. The petty assaults
made on his reputation during the heat of
the campaign in which he was elected seemed
pitfully mean when he entered upon the
discharge Of his high duties; and when he
lay dying every self-respccting man was
quick to pay tribute to his heroic patience;
and when at last, at Elberon, he died, a
world did reverence to his memory. Sup
pnea bis onIv aocuear eLonld do to To-,