The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-27
Political Science.

An esteemed Republican contemporary
rises to proclaim that politics Is the science
Of managing men, snd that men are crea'
lures Of such contrary moods that he who
Il able to-day to control them In one way
will tomorrow utterly fall. The remark
IL not original with our contemporary. but
IL Is so true that 1t Is always In order.
Just at present 1t would seem that our Re
publican friends have the best right to
know that II Is trpe. The state OF affairs IN
their party affords striking example OF The
fact that men are creatures 81 contrary
moods-affords an example OF the fact that
At times they can be creatures OF very stub
born and very honest moods.
A glance at the politics OF the last two
decades shows that up to a very recent date
the leaders OF the party OF hatred have con-
troIled the majority OF men IN the North.
So great has been their influence that the
masses have followed them blindy. For
twenty years many good people in that Sec
tion were in a mood to believe any charge,
no matter how vile, that the opponents oil
"the party Of high moral ideas" might
choose 10 bring against the people OF the
South or the Democracy. They were
in a mood Of antagonisn to the
best interest OF the country. They
were so tractable in the hands OF
the Radical professors OF political SCI
ences that they could be handled like pup
nets. They sat at the feet OF their masters
wrapt in admiration at bloody-shirt and
spread eagle lectures. and for the most
mart did the bidding OF these masters with
the docility of well-trained children.
They had such faith in their preceptors
that they were dead to the fact that cor
ruption and fraud were permeating every
department Of the Government; that dis
honesty was holding high carnival in TIE
places that had once been occupied by the
best and purest in the land.
But alas for the confidence OF these Re-
publican preceptors-these managers OF
men! They could not escape the retribu-
tion that inevitably overtakes all teachers OF
false and malignant doctrine. 1t was only
a question OF time when their teachings
would become by-word and Kissing. In
accordance with the progressive spirit OF
the age the people recently began to seek
higher education in politics. They began
10 think for themselves, and 20, the scales
commenced 10 drop from their eyes.
Now the word Of the demagogue no
longer has the force OF law with
them. They have gotten into one OF the
contrary moods our esteemed contem-
porary refers to, and are kicking in good
STYLE. They see that they have been be-
trayed and that they have been taught all
all manner OF heresy. They recognize
that from selfish motives and for corrupt
purposes liberal political education has
been denied them. Late developments
have demonstrated that the pet theory
that was taught in regard to the South
especially is mockery, snare. and a
delusion, and that none knew it bet
ter than those who were teach
ing il. 1t is true that great
many men still pin their faith to their
Radical mentors, but it is none the less
true that terrible revolt is going on in
respect to the science OF politics, and that
it is gaining strength every day.
And this contrary mood that has seized
upon the general public-ths awakening to
the manner in which they have been victim
lied, blinded, and made in one sense ac-
cessories to a system OF gigantic frauds
promises important and happy results.
The indications are that the people are
SO contrary--so Indignantly contrary
that there will be a complete rejection
against the Republican party in November.
There is abundant evidence Of wide
spread recognition among the conservative
classes that the Democratic party is the
party that is abreast OF the times-abreast
of the necessities Of the hour. The bust
ness elements see that general reform is
the great need Of the country, and appre-
ciate that they must look to the Democratic
party to supply that need. They under
stand that il would be suicidal to trust
again those who have persistently led
them astray systematically traded on passion
and prejudice, and wilfully stirred up
bad blood, to the end that they might gorge
themselves at the expense OF the nation
without being detected. OF truth does
it seem to be established tbat politics is the
science Of managing men; and men are
creatures OF such contrary moods that he
who is able to-day to control them in one
way will tomorrow utterly fail.