The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-11
Politicians.

MIN r.pl iSk . 1 otltlcluuS are mostly
men; that is, they belong to the genus
homo. Politics does not change cnaruc-
ter. but in most cases it diScloSrS char.
ncter. 1t is pretty hard matter for
one to remain IN politics very long ana
succeed in covering his real character.
This is Il sequence ofthr vvrr-prrSiSlrnt
Effort Of truth to assert itself. Hence,
to the student Or observer Of human
field. For every phase OF human ma
turc is to be found in politics. W.
would gladly have only the good and
true in politics, but we must accept
both good and bad. 1t is pretty din
cult, for time at least, for individuals
as well as the public, to discern between
these two classes, as is evident, from
the N.!stakcs which they Frequently
make in their selections. Here is a
gentleman in politics because he WAS
born gentleman and cannot help il.
He is in politics, as in private life, cnur-
teouS towards every one. When he
grectS You il is not with conscious ana
apparent air of condeSccnSiou. bu, with
II seeming inner consciousness that he.
too. Is only Il nan with common in
stinclS. which are distinctive OF hu-
manity generally. His general de-
meanor is that Of man who upprcci-
atcs the truth, that he is placed above
his fellows, more on account OF his SUI
pcrior advantages than in consequence
OF any superior natural cndowmcnlS.
There may be occasionally instances
where, from self-intcrcSt. which, is
strongly marked in every human char
acter, he ovcrrcachcs himself and en-
tcrs into that which his inner self
deems RS at best Of doubtful propriety.
But he is the same genial sociablc gen
tlcmab, after, as before election day,
whether elected or defeated. This is
the successful politician, except where
ho fOrges 10 the front from sheer force
of genius or ability in spite OF every
other peculiar trait.
The opposite style Of politician and
the one most difficult and disagrceable
to dclineate is tho naturally discourtcous
gentleman, who, before an election
where he is personally interested, sa-
Mtes you with n broad supcrcilious
grin, cvidcncing TO one Of ordinary
sense and perception, that it is great
condcsccnsion on his part TO even notice
him. OF course he thinks he is making
himself very agreeable, for he under
estimates you AS much rs he ovcrcs IT,
mntes himself. Or, TO give I'm the
benefit Of a doubt, he cannot circciually
hide his real, by his assumed. character.
dc even condcsccndS to call YOU bv
your right name, and processes an in-
tercst in your welfare. After election
day, whether successful or not, he tum-
bles almost violently back into his nat
ural character. He has lost his half
affected smile OF geniality and replaced
it by scornful misanthropic smile of
contempt. In his inmost heart he hates
you, especially If he has reason to be-
licve that you did not vote for him.
He appears to move in an atmosphere
so far above you that he can scarcely
see you at all. II he dcigus to greet
you at all, he calls you general, or colo.
mel, or Judge, in patronizing manner,
reminding you of his greatness and your
smallncss. He feels bitter con,cmpt
for the public, because OF its imbccility
in not discovering and appreciating his
superior ability. This man, unless OF
very superior natural ability (Which is
an exception to rule) is rarely sue.
cessfnl politician. He has purchased a
very fine whistle, but when he has fin.
1shed paying for 1t, and settled accounts
he Is apt TO find the balance on tho
wrong side OF the ledger.
Next in order is the political hypo.
critic. He is everything to everybody
On all sides and on no side of every
political question. He has great many
secrets which he confldcs to special
mon OF reputed Influence, which he
would not have divulged for anything
Generally, ~ SO secrets are of char.
acter TO injure somc one whose inter.
ests, politically, are opposed to his.
He, too, has bargained for II whistle
which will sometime be blown and dis.
close his whereabouts.
Fourth In order comes tho accidental
politician. Some one has taken Il no,
tion that there is some latent power in
him which ne has never had the oppor-
tunity to utilize. He mentions it to a
neighbor, he to some one else, and be-
fore he Is hardly aware of it he is float
Ing somewhere in the swim, he does
not know where himself. If he has any
convictions on political questions, he
does not, or ca. OF express them.
lie Is simply in 1t au. .Lat is all. He
swims q little way, but never gets very
far before he discovers that IL greatness
has been 'thrust upon him" which he
has not the power to s''stain. A NOR
sci has been placed In mouth which
he has not the power to masticate. He