The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-08-17
THE GREAT BUT HUMAN, AFTER
AL

1t may look bad that the candidates
for the Presidency in this country are
standing under charges of grave nature
affecting their character, and are being
painted as moral lepers by their political
opponents, and it might be imagined
that such stories reaching Europe would
lead the transatlantic people to view us
with contempt, and regard Republican
Government as the nurse of corruption
and corrupt political schemes, rather
than as pure, heightened and patriotic
administration of public affairs, A lit
tie reelection will show, however, the
incorrectness OF such suggestions.
Great men, popular idols, are but hu-
man after all, and one of the most nota-
BILE facts Of history is that great passions
and strong vices seem, with but few ex-
ceptions, to have accompanied great
talent. The most remarkable leaders
in literature and science, in all fields of
effort, have been as remarkable for fiery
and uncontrolled passions rs they have
been orgenius. CAESAR, MARLBOROUGH,
NAPOLEON; MIRABEAU, Fox, SuERI-
DAN, WEBSTER, BURR; FIELDING, BY
RON, PoE, DICKENS, BACON-a host at
random from the rempleo of Fame-were
as distinguished for want Of morals
as they were for possession OF talent.
Their genius was too great to
be kept down by RIGHTEOUSNESS
and tho world gave them honors
because intellect cannot be snubbed or
confined by the social regulations that
bind little men, hard and fast.
But when we turn to the European
Governments of to-day, we find one man
upon the throne with cloud upon his
birth, another, who is to ascend the first
throne of the world, with the notorious
character of libertine, a Queen making
herself ridiculous over the death of q
man whom rumor says was more than
her servitor to her, and vicious, cor
rupt nobility in Legislative control, and
at the heads of the various departments
Of government, every man of them
almost, with multitude of scandals
hanging around him or his family. II
would i'll become such people to criticisC
American morals or affect to see especia
corruption in our Republican Govern
ment. Such stories rarely hurt grea
men in Europe. That they do hurt her,
is an indication that a more enlightened
public sentiment, higher grade of NOR
ais prevails in the United States.
But public men in America, the rea
leaders, will not only compare witt
those of Europe as regards both intel
lect and morals, but as a rule are far tn
superiors of the Europeans. Eve
able of our public characters is nc
worse than half the corrupt yet prom
inont statesmen and leaders of though
in Europe, if oil seemingly authenti
stories be true.
still campaign based upon person;
abuse is to be regretted by all good cit
zens. Let the public careers of men h
picked to pieces if needs be, but leav
tllc private llNca ulollt' udl pun
record will clearly disclose his fitness q
unitness for any position to which h
aspres. To drag a mans character int
the filth of the highway, and yet plaC
, him in office, as is done in this countr,
robs the position he fills OF one-hOlf Il
dignity and power during his occl
, pancy. BLAINE may be corrupt person
ally, but he is sufficiently corrupt O
p iicially, to damn him forever as u publ
" man.