, 1886-05-20
Aspiration VS.. Ability.

The following from the Oresonian
comes about as near the correct idea
as anything we have seen lately:
1t is not pleasant for the people
when they might have an eagle for q
standard to be fobbed off with some
old, soiled political setting hen, or
strutting, squaking peacock, as the
cheap sign under which to conquer.
No wonder when the people want a
full man, with something of the met
tie racer in him, they are not content
with brickyard mule or Il broken
winded family horse; no wonder the
people sigh sometimes for candidates
whose fame is not matter of dim
tradition, and whose hon, rable lis
tory there Is no need to support by
affidayits. There seems 10 be in
every state class of petty politicians
who so riding about provided with a
political war map; they mark with
red letters when Smith had some
thing, as a plea why Smith should
stand aside for Jones. The state has
no interest in this plotting of the
field OF politics: the state has no in
terest save the best service. IfSmith
bp natural and acquired ability and
worth, easily sits at the head of the
table, why should he step down and
out and surrender his seat to some
tedious and awkward clown who
thinks he would like it There
ought to be no turn" abont it, save
when man can compare titles of
ability and service with his peers and
take his seat by force of high mount
ing merit The survival of the
of the fittest should be the answer to
the question who should be the can
didate. It is not fairly q question Of
aspiration at all, for on .imbecile
might ask for the apples of Hesperi-
des or a crown of diamonds to play
with; it is fairly only question of
ability; the best men should be in all
places of public trust, no matter
whether they have been crowned with
public confidence before or Lot. Re
tire the feeble; put the stalwart to
the front, and promote no man on the
stupid plea that he wants to be pro
NOTED because it is his turn to have
something" It is this stupid theory
of politics and public trusts that per
iodieally puts sleek and snug medic
Gritty III power, that makes q bargain
and sale, booty and beauty, loot and
galoot mess of our politics.
The average voter knows the diff
ference between aspiration and ability
and yet frequently. out OF pure good
nature, he prefers the silly peacock of
aspiration to the strong winged, sun
scanning eagle of ability. 1t is poor
policy; If ere Is no sound reason
why man should be nominated TO,
responsible public office save that
he wants it and that sit is his turn"
he would better be left at home.
Party conventions have become little
better than a political ''basket lunch
party, where bummers and blow hards
assemble to ventilate their arrogated
consequence.
There is no need of the lantern OF
Diogenes to discover the proportions
of capable man, but we do need an
electric light Of great power to make
out the foggy political phantoms who
think an Office converts the eyange-I
list of q petty town caucus into q
statesman. The public business
needs men who do not find it neces-
sary to offer affidavits to their own
personal ability and worth; the pub
lie business ought to be put in charge
of conspicuous character, despite the
whimpering protest of illu5trious OBJ
scuritles who think ''it is their turn
1t is nobody's turn; it is always the
turn of men of eminence for ability
and worth that have lifted them into
the rank of conspicuous citizens.