Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-02-16

have fof following their passions
against their better judgment. Nay
more, we may even go SO far as sto
allow them plea of educational bias,
of prejudice implanted by lifelong
training in a system of social ethics
altogether un-American if not anti
American in its principles and illibei-
alizing influence. If an honest belief
may in some sort apologize for doc
trinal errors and absurdities, then NAV
these honest statesmen ofan antiquat-
ed school have the full benefit of this
plea, for their faith in their system
can do all things but remove noun
Iains. Hence among them devotion
to the Solid South is a sacred cult.
They have nursed the idea of class
rule until it has run into a transcen-
dental-sentimental seetarianism beau
tiful to behold as an apt and touching
illustration OF the power ofearly affec-
tons over time and change, but really
Of no conceivable use or application in
this. barbarous utilitarian age and
generation. Against this gentle
craft considered simply as an amiable
aud harmless culture OF the domestic
virtues and social amenities, perhaps
no one could find it in his heart to
urge serious objections any more than
he could refuse his appreciation to a
devoted attention to early kale and
economic cabbage sprouts for the
supply of the family table; but when
it comes to such ambitious sentiment
talities as furnishing and revarnishing
ancestral portraits-for instance, a
grandmother's adored presentment
in oil, or the smoke dried similitude
OF a grim great grandfather with a
queue-and dragging them, together
with the family pedigree, before long
suffering public as factors in ques-
tionable scheme of politics, as open
bids for popularity, or as valid certifi-
Gates of personal fitness for the high
est Offices and most important admin
istrative functions of state, the case
assumes quite another phase and sig
niicance.
That such things are is indisputable.
Though abstractly considered they
might merely excite smile of pity,
or at most provoke passing sneer OF
contempt. AS facts bearing upon the
pressing question of West Virginia S
future progress and development we
cannot afford to neglect them. This
much is certain: Political leaders
presenting such antec edents as a rec
ornmendation to political precedence
are unfit to stand in places of power;
for just so far as they are either open
ly or covertly Influenced by such edu-
cational class prejudices they are in
capable Of giving that broad and I'M
selfish service to the general public
which a just and equal public liberty
demands. Fortunately the people
an element of strength ever to be
trusted-have at length come to see
the evil of this oue-sided representa-
ton. They have spoken once-they
will speak again, Then will politi-
clans of the old school realize that they
have sinned away their day of grace;
then to their sorrow will they find
their occupation gone For a season
some devoted souls may continue to
follow the old trade for the love Of it;
but nevermore will it be a paying
business. In fact it cannot be said to
have ever fairly paid expenses since
the good old times "befo de wa,
when the form and fashion Of most
excellent things passed away, or were
changed to the likeness Of the dusty
and musty side-show administrations
of monumental history. HERMEs.
GTo BE eoNTINUED1