The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-02-26
MODERN POLITICS.


iicans of the present day is to rule or
ruin. In days of old a.politician was a
statesman, one versed in the science Of
government, and the art of governing.
The word is derived from the Greek,
and means belonging to the citizens
or to the state. But it has so fallen
from its former high and noble signi.
tication, that even the dictionaries have
been obliged to give modern definition
to the politician, and call him "a man
of artitice or deep contrivance." What
is for the good of the state, is no longer
considered by our modern manipulator
of political wires. He simply inquiries
of himself "What is good for me p
and having answered this question to
his own satisfaction he lays his plans
accordingly, and begins his efforts Tor
the accomplishment of the desired end.
What schemes are concocted, wha,
traps laid, what falsehoods set ahoat
about his opponents! Advantage is
taken of every little circumstance, and
men too ignorant to know better are
made to believe that whatever of good
comes to them, is through the influence
of this modern statesman, and thus he
gains their confidence. He smiles on
all he meets; he makes a business of
hand-shaking; he sets up the beer and
passes around the cigars; he gives
money freely where he thinks it will
do the most good he hesitates at moth
ing that he believes will assist him in
his purposes.
But to describe all the dark ways
and vain tricks of this class would be
impossible. No one knows them all,
unless he has been through the same
mill himself, and then he wont tell.
Let us follow our subject for while.
Suppose that success crowns his efforts
and the goal OF his ambition is reach
ed. He ascends the throne that the
people by their inactivity have permit
ted him to capture, aud for time he
rules supreme. His word is law among
his henchmen, and in every quarter he
has his aids who are always ready TO
do his bidding. Thus enthroned he
exerts great influence, and little by
little he reaches out beyond his own
proper sphere, not satisfied with the
one position he holds, and begins to
lay his plans for putting his own tools
into other offices. so that when the time
comes fer him to seek denomination
he will have trusty friends around him
on whose support he can rely.
And thus he goes on, until the people,
becoming alarmed at the great power
welded by one man, and conscious of
the bad influence that man is exerting,
rise in their might, and overthrow his
legions. Once defeated, his power is
broken, and from that time on his in
fiuence is gone.
The old cries of ''Stick to the ticket" E"
''Stand by the Rules which he was
wont to shout SO Justify when they
operated in his favor, are forgotten by
him when the people show their pre-
fereace for another candidate, and in
his chagrin he 80 far forgets himself
as to throw what influence he has left
against his successful opponent. If he
cannot rule he will bring ruin upon
the party that has discarded him, no
natter how many years ne enjoyed
it's smiles and favor. Wriggle and
writhe as he will, he cannot regain his
grip; he makes his old enemies more
bitter, and quarrels with his friends.
In order to deceive the people, he criti.
cises in others those things which he
himself practiced when in power.
But his day is over, and gradually he
sinks from sight and memory until he
is entirely lost in oblivion. His place
may be taken by another of the same
stripe, but if so, the old story is repeat
ed, and its several chapters are headed
respectively; Success, Power, Public
Dissatisfaction, Defeat, Oblivion.
This is no fancy sketch. Every
state and almost every county in every
state can furnish an example of its
truthfulness. Whenever those in pub
lie position forget that the people are
the rulers and that public officials are
the servants and not the masters, then
this game old story will be repeated so
long as the world shall stand.