Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-12-16
THE PUBLTC MANS DUTY.

THE PUBLIC MANS DUTY.
theoretically, nothing could appear to be
palmer than the duty of the man in public
life. He is looked up TO by the masses of
his fellow. citizens as one endowed with
more than average insight into political
affairs and possessed of more than the aver
age stock OF knowledge, and therefore en-
abled to inform the common mind and direct
il into proper channels. He is supposed to be
guided by pure motives and to keep steadily
in view the general veal of his countrymen.
In word, he is regarded as teacher, fully
alive to the delicate trust committed to him,
and fully recognizing the responsibility with
which he is clothed.
II is true that he often falls lamentably
short of this estimate OF his merit, and it is
not improbable that this conception OF his
abilities and character, unconsciously en-
tertained by the people, affords the average
politician the very opportunity be seeks, and
which he is quick to improve to his own
advantage But, be this as it may, the
common conception of the public man"
measures pretty accurately the duty which
he owes to his country. And perhaps the
very highest duty is that of absolute candor
in the expression of views upon public ques.
tons. II he be, indeed, man of wider
knowledge and keener perception than the
common run of men, the timely publication
Of his opinions might often save world Of
trouble and vexation and conflict by arrest
ing the attention Of the people and leading
them to the formation OF conservative and
Just views
Unfortunately, In our country, at least,
the average public man is rather prone TO
await the development of public sentiment,
and when il has taken an unmistakable
trend to forge to the head of the procession
and become the loudest shouter, and the
ultimate beneficiary of the popular move
ment. The professional politician, like other
gamblers, plays for what is in sight. He
runs none of the risks of temporary un
popularity by champoning cause which
requires the slow processes of education TO
known emotion to him. His conception of
politics leads him to the adoption of tenn
porary expedients rather than TO the estab.
llshment of enduring principles and perma-
nent policies. Prejudice is easier to man
age than reason, and therefore he delights
in keeping old animosites afame
But the country is not without Its men of
real merit and courage, who are not afraid
to declare their opinions whenever they
think the public necessities require it. They
are not hasty and crude opinions. Calm
and mature reflection, based upon aborious
investigation, pecedes their expression, and
they do not shrink from the toll of educat
ing the public mind up to a proper knowl-
edge of the questions involved. These men
have profound respect for the intelligence
of the people, and profound faith in their
integrity and love of country. They had
also the virtue of patience, and are content
to bide their time, because they are more
interested in good government than In any
possible advantage personal TO themselves.
The contrast between the two classes of
public men is striking-it measures the dis.
lance between the politician and the states.
man.
Happily, after long years o! the reign of
the politician, the class Of real statesmen
seem now to be in the ascendant, In the
Democratic party at least, and public con.
fdence in better order of things Is more
bnoyant than at any period since the war.
Mr.. Cleveland's post election speeches indi.
cate an appreciation, on his part, of the re.
sponsibilties of his position and the duty of
his party, and the leading men in Congress,
Hon. VIM l.. Wilson, Senator Carlisle and
others, are sure to keep In the same line
which they have all along pursued, and
which has gained for them the respect and
trust of the people of the country. They
have labored increasingly to bring their
party to the proud position it now occupies,
and its great triumph furnishes the oppor.
iunity for the display of their great talents
They will be equal to the occasion, and will
set an example Of the public mans duty
which will, we believe, be the standard of
the future. OF all the signs of the times,
there is none more full of hope and promise
than this.