Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-01-14
Day OF Mediocrity,

The Present Of the United States is
the Day Of Mediocrity. In looking upon
the Past OF our. most excellent history,
there Is much to fiji us with chagrin.
The period that marked the transition
from colonial servility to the assertion
of complete governmental independence
was repletc with lofty intelligence. 1t
is lovely tradition that none but those
of competent intellect dared to offer
themselves for prominent place; and II
insures the integrity and capacity Of the
general throng of those times, to reflect
that only that distinguished class were
permitted to hold office by their suf-
frages.
The elevation OF Washington to su-
preme military command was not mat
ter Of accidency The manifestations OF
superior ability had been many and of
long duration; and his subsequent Presi-
Dental career was not so much the re-
ward Of his previous services as the trib-
ute to his capacity for the especial posi-
tion. He was great man in each depart
ment he was called to I'll. He revealed
especial merit in surrounding himself
with the best talent Of the day. There
was on his part no wretchod subsorvi-
ency to party bohests, but ever a con-
trolling regard to the fitness Of those
summoned to his assistance, regardless
of their political opinions.
This regard for merit, among the
masses Of the people, continued in
our legislative councils for so long time
such luminarics as Webster and Benton
md Calhoun. The nation listened to
their wisdom and conservative admoni-
tions until death tore them away. 1t is
melancholy to gaze back upon the con-
tests of those intellectual giants-each
sincere and ardent in his peculiar views
Of policy-and all linked together in
bands Of intensest friendship. 1t was
the brotherhood Of lofty intellectual up.
probation. We say 1t is melancholy to
recall the forensic heroism Of such gigan-
tic gladiators with their distinguished
associate Of Ashland, when we contrast
their nervous prowess with the pulling
pigmies Of the present hour.
TWAS dreadful thing when the era
of availability dawned upon our politi-
cal horizon, and when party tactics rose
above capacity. 1t was availability that
threw into the succession of such great
ones as Jefferson and Adams and Jack.
son, the extremely moderate Harrison
and Taylor-the one old and imbecile.
and the other totally incompetent for the
imposed duties.
II ever were demanded the material
as well as the intellectual resources OF
the land, the present is the time and
moment. 1t is solemn and portentou'
fact that mover since our organization
did the Federal Congressional halls re
veal such little capacity as now. Thos
chambers that once resounded with th,
eloquent logic of the most distinguished
OF our race, are now polluted, with few
illustrious exceptions, with the veries
political scavengers, who arc hardly re
spectacle at the lowest hustings meu
as devoid of ability as integrity men,
frothy and eharacterless, who have rid
den into power and place on the f~tid
wings of rotten party machinery.
We have said that ours is the ago o.
mediocrity. We have not gone fal
enough. 1t is the age of inferiority
There is inane and stupid wrangling a
our capital, where should be the elevated
words of patriotic wisdom--silly plat.
tudes in the place of condensed and
moving thought. There is no disguis.
ing our present attitude in this regard.
1t wounds us thus to mention the fire.
Quent truth. We fear we have no Otis
or Patrick Henry at our seat of govern.
ment. Is it not true that our best men
shrink from station and politics, fearing
the slime of party: