The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-12
POLITICS AND POLITICIANS.

public affairs, and that they assist in preju-
diciug themselves against the popularity
and righteousness of republics. The estima-
ton Of a scion of royal house that should
cry down royalty would be that he was either
a fool or a knaye, or possibly both. The
heir-apparent is disloyal who plots against
the reigning sovereign, or who seeks
to stir up discomfort against the
throne. 1t is the same in prin-
ciple and effect for a citizen
of republic to do anything to the pref udice
and injury of the form of government under
which he lives He is the enemy of society,
the fermenter of mischief, and the friend of
anarchy. A just and honorable criticism Of
the public acts of officials is very proper
thing; an anti-bilious tonic that prevents
torpidty and the accumulation of vicious
humors in the body-Politic. But it is diff
ferent, dangerous and disloyal thing to
foster distrust in the probity of officials
without just reason and adequate
proof. There are many who have come
to regard the business of politics as one upon
which the public looks with distrust and
suspicion. Let such feeling once become
general, and corruption and malfeasance in
office will be the rule instead of the excep-
ton it now is If it be disgraceful to be
public servant no self-respeeting man will
accept of Office, and the business of politics.
the conduct of public affairs, must inevita-
bly, fall into the hands of the refuse of the
nation. Elections then must necessarily
become the selection OF spoismen, and ele
walton to Office simply formal invitation
to plumber the treasury and to scatter its
contents among personal friends or fellow
rogues.
There is too much unjust criticism and
suspicion. The business of politics to the
honest man is as honorable as any of the
professions. 1t requires as much study and
ability as does the profession of law or of
medicine. 1t is broader than either, for the
intelligent and conscientious politician must
make study of the anatomy and constitu-
ton OF nations and of peoples. The man
WIZ pOIItiCS tilO OuoliCoo VI LIS lllS 10
just as much entitled to the respect and con-
fidence of the people as though he stood
to interpret prophecy. 1t is his to under
stand the changing needs of the people and
to apply proper treatment. 1t is his to assist
in so shaping the affairs of state that its in
tegrity will be preserved, its commerce and
business developed, and all the people pro-
tected in their rights and enjoyments. 1t is,
therefore, one of the highest and noblest of
callings and the man who discharges his
duties as a politician conscentiously and
we'll should not be without honor among
his fellows.
The American people are too prone to be-
lieve i'll of their public men. A charge of
corruption can scarcely be too absurd, too
ridiculous to find ready credence among
some classes of voters of opposite politics.
There are, undoubtedly, some among public
men who are corrupt, and who engage in
politics for the profit that accrues from
them But they are compare lively few, and
the profession of politics is INDICATED by
the fact that they cannot long sustain them
selves in it, but soon pass out of sight The
absurdity of charging such men as Senator
Bayard or Senator Mcdonald with cor
ruptly accepting few hundreds OF
dollars ought to be and is quite apparent to
every Democrat. The same kind of charge
II
son would properly be secuted by Republic
ans. They are so absurd and Enthusiastically
on their face that no friend of either of these
honorable gentlemen would be mean enough
to entertain the idea for a moment. Yet
Just such charge has been made against GER
tain public men and used by INSCRIPTIONS
men of the opposition as campaign argu-
ments. 1t is shame for any honorable
man to have the patience to even
listen to such nonsense. Our public men,
Republicans and Democrats, are personally
as honest as are any in the world. II were
an insult to the American character to con-
TESS the contrary, and no patriotic man will
do so.
1t ought to be evident that reform is
needed in this direction. Many of the peo-
pie are meaner than the politicians are repre-,
scented to be. Their mendacious stories are
more harmful to the morals of society
than are the rare examples Of official
perfdy. 1t is as unjust to charge Mr..
Blaine or Mr.. Randall with petty theft or the