The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-10
A MARKED DIFFERENCE.

The word leadership, as applied to party,
and craftsmanship" differ widely in sig
nifcance. Morton was q political leader,
everywhere quickening into life the greatest
admiration tor his talents and energy OF
character, yet he Was never seriously
thought of bya great majority of the Ameri-
can people in connection with the Presi.
dency. People In his district, who refused
to vote for Tom Brown for Governor of In
diana, cheerfRlly contribute TO his electoral
support as a member TO Congress. There
seems TO be a popular understanding of the
fact that an order of ability, separate aud
distinct is necessary for the two Offices.
Leaders are required in legislative bodies;
statesmen are invariably demanded for
places OF executive trust. In Anthony Troll
lopes autobiography, this photograph
Of his ideal statesman is given; 80 rid
ones self Of fine scruples-to fall into the
traditions of party-to feel the need of
subservience, not only in acting, but also,
even, in thinking-to be able to be bit,
and at first only little bit-these are the
necessities Of the growing statesman. The
time may come, the glorious time, when
some great self actions shall be possible,
and shall be even demanded-as when
Peel gave up the corn laws; but the rising
man, as he puts on his harness. should not
| allow himself to dream of this. To become
| good round, smooth, hard, useful pebble
is his duty; and to achieve this, he must
harden his skin and swallow his scruples.
But every now and again, we see the at
tempt made by men who can not get
| their skins to be hard, who after q little
| while generally fall out OF the ranks. The
| statesman of whom was thinking-of whom
had long thought-wss one who did not
fall out Of the ranks, even though his skin
would not be hard. He should have rank
and intellect and parliamentary habits, By
which to bind him to the service of his coun
| try, and he should also have uablsmished,
unextinguishsble, inexhsustible love OF
country. That virtue / attribute to our
statesmen generally. They who are without
IL are, think, mean indeed. This man
should have il as the ruling principle OF his
life; and it should so rule him that all other
things should be made to give way to it.
But he should be scrupulous, and being
scrupulous, weak. When called to the high
est place in the council Of his sovereign, he
should feel with true modesty his OVID insult
| fciency."
When choosing men for President the
American people have always avoided great
political leaders. A Wing Convention pre-
fered "Old Rough and Ready" to the great
Webster as its standard-bearer. Other great
names were passed, and James X. Polk-who
the deuce is James K. POlkP-s singularly
| obscure man, whom the American people
preferred to Clay, the old commouer, i'm
mortal because OF his eloquence. II was not
! understood by the scholars OF the period
| why the second National Republican Conven-
ton should have passed Seward and chosen
| to accept Abraham Lincoln. But that wis
dom higher than man impelled to this
choice is now universally admitted. It
would neither be reasonable nor popular to
attribute Mr.. Lincoln's nomination to an &C.
| Cident. He was the character Of man always
called by popular suffrage to places of great
| responsibility.