Evening journal., 1896-06-24
Our oldsn Time Statesmen.


webster dthnee statesman to BIO "a
man versed In public affairs and in the
principals and art Of government; es
peciAlly one eminent for political abili-
ties" A man can be all this and yet
unlike the men whom the people of this
country honored as statesmen a hundred
years ago. Men at that time we're not
considered Statesmen unless, In addition
to these qualities, they possessed those
of truth and morality but In
these days the idea OF Statesman lie
more In accordance with the Views OF
that witty politician, the speaker OF the
House Of Representatives Thomas B
Read says statesman Is "a dead
politician, - aud this view OF the matter
is undoubtedly a popular one at the
present time. A man may, according to
this idea, become prominent politician
by any means in his power, aud II he
rises to fame. his sins will be forgotten
at his death and nothing remembered
but his virtues
II unprlnclpled and able politicians are
statesmen II Is fortunate for the country
that they do not become such until Efter
their death. We believe In living states-
men and we do not think that politician,
as such. ever rises GO that dignity. This
country has produced ons Pre-eminent
statesman who was never a politician
Washington, the father Of his COUNTRY
and the FIRST Of our presidents In fact,
the me jority Of them down to the present
dsy we're statesmen; men whose tongues
we're never sullied By falsehood. They
differed In opinions but never attempted
subterfuge nor did they try to hide their
principles from the people
These statesmen Of the olden time
counted no popularity or position In life
which could not be obtained honorGbly
and above board. Their principles were
formed with elaboration aud rarsly ever
changed, never to secure any personal
advantage Leaving out Washington, as
being too superior TO to be compared
with other mortals. we would suggest
that Adams, Jefferson, Jackson and
others OF our earlier presidents vert
never two sided on any question. They
we're honest to themselves and just to
the people A man In their days could
not have been elected to any prominent
position whose principles wsNe doubted
Oh any question Of public concern.
The leading men OF those times, how
ever much they differed in politics
regarded each other rs honorable an,
truthful This Is strlkIngly illustrates
In the defense Of John Adams by Thoma
Jefferson. IL appears that Mr.. Adam
had been accused by some young poll
tlcians in Jefisrson's presence of wha
would be called In these days "strad
ding" whereupon Mr.. Jeifsrson, thong
political opponent, remarked. "Cen
tlemen, you do not know that man
These Is not upon this earth MOI
perfectly honest man than John Adam.
Concsalment Is no part of bis character
II is not in bis nature to medI
tate anything that he would NC
publish to the world. The measures
the general government are a fair sut
jsct for differences Of opinion, but &
not found your opinion on the no,io
that there is the smallest splice Of dis
honesty, moral or political. In the cbai
acter Of John Adams; and repeat thl
aman more perfectly honest never lssu,
from the creator"
Mr.. Adams WAS President Of Il
United States at the time he was
nobly defended by the man who so
cesdsd him In ofise. These men we
statesmen, and the Iction referred
shows how statesmen scted nearly
hundred years ago. Have we a.
statesmen Of that pattern now2