Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-08-25
For County surveyor,
CHARLES j. MADDOX, JR.
THE PUBLIC MANS Duty.


Theoretically, at least, the selection of
man for public positions of trust and re
sponsibility is based upon the belief that
the individual selected possesses qualidca-
tons which peculiarly fit him for the place.
The people logically conclude, from the can
didate's own declarations or the praises of
his friends, that 10 point OF intelligence he
Is above the average man, and that by stud y
OF the questions with which he has To deal
At the very least he Is supposed TO be man o!
opinions, and 1t Is expected-his own pro.
LESSONS being again the basis OF popular be
lief-thst he will at all times exert his tai
ents and apply his knowledge for the Wi
fare Of his fellow citizens. Especially in
times of doubt and difficulty have the PEG
pile right 10 demand that whatever inHd
ence their public servants possess shall be,
used 10 sllay anxiety and suffering; aud It
Is next to impossible TO conceive that IN such
situation a manly and kindly y natured man
could withhold the expression of his Con
every one, and for the solution OF which
upon sound and enduring principles, the
whole country Is laboring. One would
naturally think that at such time, person
in position Of power would embrace with
unwonted eagerness the opportunity u do
good-to prove his capacity and willingness
To serve those who have repo eli their trust
and confidence in him.
Viewed from moral standpoint, nothing
would seem to BE- palmer than the duty
II the public man in crisis like that
through which we are passing now, espc.
cially il his position should, for any cause,
he a leading one. Assuming that such u
man has opinions, that he is convinced that
the welfare OF the country demands a par
ticular line of policy, and that public opin.
ion is wavering and uncertain what m IRE
palpably right thing, what more patriotic
thing, could this man do than cast the
weight of his influence into the balance, and
30 determine at once the conditions under
which the people must meet the future. It is
the uncertainty, the anxiety and fear, that
are paralyzing the energies Of the people,
and filling the land with hungry men who
little later, 10 thtf renzied demand for
bread. VIII not stop to reason.
But, plain as the public mans duty is +,
how often we see 1t disregarded by those
whose ambition exceeds their patriotism,
and who place party organization" above
country. Our political history is full Of ex.
amples of men who habitually suppress
their personal opinions until they see un.
Inistakable signs Of the trend of public sen.
timent, and then rush vociferously 10 the
front and claim the credit OF accomplishing
the glorious result Other men who, re.
gardless OF consequences personal to them.
selves, and seeking only what is right, have
striven for that result, and by their earnest.
ness and courage aud long effort have crys.
tallized public opinion, are swept aside by
the adroit and often dsreputable manipua
ton OF political conventions, and some camp
follower is crowned as the hero of the
conflict.
Mr.. Cleveland's nomination and election
furnish strong ground for the hope that
such men will not always be able To delude
the people. His courageous stand Tor tariff
reform while the politicians were waver
ing. his equally courageous letter advising
the rejection Of the Sherman silverpurchase
bill, at time when the politicians sat with
sealed lips, were splendid exhibitions of the
public mans duty faithfully performed. His
reasoning was II believe that this thing is
right II have any influence with the
people, II 10 my duty TO exercise Il !" and he
acted with that self abnegaton which
stamps him as both great and a good man.
And the result proved how solid was his
confidence 10 the common sense and judy
men, OF the people, when once great ques
ton Is presented 10 them with candor and
intelligence. Other men may yet live to
wish that they had followed his example,
and TO learn that the non. performance Of
duty, and the failure to be brave and candid
at all times, are crimes which an enlight.
ened public sentiment will not condone.