South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1890-10-17


put head in cask. must G-st puz-
zle his brain With the problem of in
scribing polygons, and especially a
hexsgo q. In circle. For this there |
is good reason. He wants TO do q |
certain thing, aud there is but one sure
way to DO it. He has found this out
by experience, which affords him |
what Is known as scientific knowl. !
edge" The same kind Of informa-
lion lies at the foundation Of all the |
arts and sciences. and in oil avoca.
tions the most successful men are
those whose efforts are direc' ed by
it's precep.s. The lawyer, the doctor,
the minlster--in short, every one WHO |
wishes to eucceed- must be guided
by the principles found true and cx-
pedient by his predecessors. But,
strange to say, although the truth of
what we Lave said is universally adj
mitled, yet there is enc calling to
which it's applicability is either doubt.
ell or overlooked by the great MAORI.
t. Of people We refer TO tho pro.
fession OF politics. In tie fret place,
the public's idea OF professional poll.
ticians is more or less confused, mos,
; persons accounting as such tue in.
cumbents Of public Offices, or those
who seek them with some degree Of
persistency. In many instance this
opinion is undoubtedly correct, but
there are others in which 1t is found
all unsare rule TO go by. The true
profs ssonal politician is not so much
the Office. holder as the man who ex-
poets to make his living by means OF
the formers favor and influence. The
latter may be an oflice>holdeI himself,
but more often be is engaged in phi.
vate business. Perhrps he is a law
yer, newspaper man, or even day
labcrer. But too frequently it happens
that he Is one who answers the legsl
definition OF a vagraDt-"witbout
visible means of support" To this
cass belong those nondescTipts, IN
fortunately 50 common and useful in
tie politics OF our day. known az
strikers" and "heelers." These are,
TO the extent Of their ability, your
real professional politicians. They
are the mere satellites and birelings
OF their chiefe, upon whose success
their own welfare is contingent.
Generally ignorant, il might seem al
first thought that such men cannot
from sheer lack OF intellect, avail
themselves OF the principle we have
in mind, and do what Is technically
spoken Of IS "good. campaign work -
But they themselves do not do it
The br-Ins fer the tasks allotted them
are furnished by their leaders, who
map cut the course they are TO pur-
sue. tell them what TO say and how
10 say IL, what to do and how TO do
it. In political Campaigns aspirants
for public Office invariably seek II
advance their interests by means OF
the modes adopted by successful
statesmen who have gone before them :;
and il is sad, but true, that the most
effective instrument for the undoing
OF On opponent Is supposed TO consist
In personal depreciation, or even
slander. We do not wish our read era
10 understand that we think this but
that it is the opinion held by others.
For, Notwithstanding the great advan.
lage supposed TO be derived by a can
didate from fairness and courtesy in
political contests, il is nevertheless
true that few men have ever been de,
feated for public Office by having their
virtues proclaimed by tho opposition.
The truth Of the principle forces an
acknowledged Of Tie existence OF a
great deal Of evil In human nature,
but unfortunately the latter bypotbe.
lis does not admit Of Tefutation. This
has been the case in all ages and all
countries, snd doubtless always will
tie an. The form winch this dcpre.
ciaunn, or SANDER, commonly takes
lies IN dcnvirg the existence Of any
FeTv ces which q statesman or politi>
tisD may have rendered bis country
or his constituents. II a candidates
record be otherwise invulnerabe. then
the cry we have mentioned is the
heavy artillery OF HE enemies, and all
other Arguments which il may be
POSSIBLE To- advance against him ere
NEE accessories, OF but lrtie tocount
Without their principal. IL is a mean
and dc,esiHble way uf contending
with On adversary, and in politics Of
ten results Ia disp'acir e a worthy and
efficient man with one who is not on.
~ incapable bat actually lacking 10
integrity or patriotism. IL is the
qGiDtessence Of political cunning, the
last resort OF trickstefs when their
cause is apparently hopeless. That
isal tlcre Is in it, and tho sooner
people become aware e It's nature tue
better :, vii. 10 Tor good politics. good
rep esentatives, and good governs
mert
Toe resders OF tho SoUIH BgANcH
IsTFLuUENCgH know Chat u Is pure.
ly democratic and has borne 10 9Th
&c name OF character. std. We think,
10 BE- done as much. if not more. for
thc dem1cratic party than any other
Journal in the Sta'e; JuI " cannot
susiaib rseIf on thsnk5e Jobs and
candidates desiring their names an
81, unceo'sni ibeS sh u j sll desire ~
sust seB lie Casb Ia RovanCc.