Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-03-15
POLITICIANS AND THE PEOPLE


Since the adjournment of the legis-
lature and Senator Parkinson's debut
as a lecturerer on politicians and the
People" there has been much discus
sion in the newspapers Of that subject,
and with it the difference between
statesmen and politicians.
There is a vast difference between
the two, and the failure of the masses
to distinguish between them is one
great reason why our country is drift
ing away from first principles, drift
ing into the evils that led to the sub
stitution Of the Roman empire, which
took the place of the Roman republic,
only to be destroyed by the same
mistake and the increase of the same
evils.
The politician is a good fellow and
this catches ninc-tenths Of the voters,
but this good-fellow politician is abso-
lutely devoid of all knowledge Of the
science of government, ready to agree
with any faction thJt promises few
votes at the caucus or the election,
and as a consequence his legislative
acts are conglomeration of inhar-
mOniOus fragments which destroy
each other and enable the shrewd enc
mics of honest and correct principles
to take advantage of the chaotic laws
enacted by these mere politicians.
On the other hand the statesman
will differ with your views, and there
fore he is not popular. He has in
mind a perfect system Of government,
and when hobbies are presented he
clearly sees that they are not in har-
mony with correct principles, and pro-
ceeding to show wherein they are err
ronOuS, he becomes, 10 common
voter. the very reverse of "a good fell
low and abhoring the lack Of dis
elimination on the part of those who
cast the ballots and manipulate con-
ventions, many of our ablest men
eschew politics and accept positions
with the great corporations.
On this question an ably edited
paper says:
THE statesman's comprehension
should at least be as wide as the world;
but the politicians need not be any
wider than the band or clique that
furnishes the votes that furnish him
with bread and butter. One lives that
his country may prosper, all her Citi-
zens be blessed with plenty, crimes be
diminished in her borders. and her
banner be honored abroad. The
other lives that his party may rule
the country, well il it may
be, but otherwise if neces.
sary IL accomplish the object for
which he lives. The statesman stands
upon principle, does according to his
convictions of what his country needs
| whether it will secure a reelection OF
will defeat him forever; the politician
endeavOrs to ascertain the pOlitica
pulse of his constituents and speak
vote and act in harmony herewith
The mere politician is not fit to b,
trusted with any responsible position
and only positive men should be giveI
power to legislate for republics. Tht
good fellow who will agree with you il
all things is nOtyOur friend and should
not be trusted, and when you find |
man who is capable and has the de
termination to advocate harmonou
system of legislation, starting from
correct principles, you have found
statesman, and whether or not yOl
fancy him personally, it is to your in
terest and the welfare of the state an,
nation that he should be kept in legis
latiye bodies.