Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-06-17
The Reformer-Part 8,
From The Je6srsonian, by ]. L. LODGE,
d. D., Editor.

$40 III ullIIOI SUES uCl iOuO AuIC nnOWu1
And crying II" would have the world say"I,
And all things perish so if she endure.
Light Of Asia.
Having glanced at the moral qualities es-
sential to reformer, we next consider his
sphere. This is not easily limitable, in a
world so faulty; but historically relates to
politics and religion. wish for the sake OF
young men, whose real good is sought in
these articles, and who need with great
earnestness and sincerity to be warned
against the deviltry that secretes itself un,
der the outraged name of reform, that
might take space enough to do something
like justice to the theme; but only one point
out OF a hundred can be touched. The rea-
son, the cause, the why is constantly de-
manded. Under no form of government
has there ever existed political party
which could claim absolute purity. II it was
relatively upright and moral at the begin
ming, deterioration from the highest stand
ard has inevitably followed, because its
members were not angels but men; yet, if
1t had virtue to execute great deeds and re-
sist the continued attacks of enemies, it is
vastly superior TO any rival whose organiza
ton was Tor the purpose of plumber and OPP
preston. Principles endure In parties as in
men. In some instances they have changed
the name from time to time, with shrewd
adaptation to change OF conditions, or, with
determination to change the times them,
selves to meet their plans. The alleged re-
former has usually belonged to the party he
pretends to wish renewed. Why renewed
Is the foundation principle wrong? For a
great while he did not discover the wrong
1t has endured century, perhaps many
centuries before it dared to take name.
The heat nf fhn nth ha u onatninnH IL His
own ancestry were faithful to it. 1t has
won great victories for men. 1t has shown
itself capable of building upa vast republic I;
or, OF 80 limiting monarchy as greatly to
check inhumanity, injustice, and the human
tendency to Cypress, severely Furnishing
legal wrong. But with this alleged relormer,
this affected purist, all goes for nothing; the
imperishable influence of mighty thought,
the vast endurance OF a correct and righLe
GUS principle, results that have shown u
worlds regeneration, triumph over consoli
dated evil opposition. The presumption,
while startling, is quite natural. Here, ~ in
other matters OF immense moment, thou
sand philosophers patiently investigate, COM
pare for ages, and are satisfied; a tool jumps
TO a contrary conclusion in fifteen seconds !
Two classes of reiormers are noted the
imaginative and impractical, and the selfish
and designing. In the first, idealty is de.
veloped to the detriment of sense; an ordi-
nary measure OF good yields them no inter
est the extravaganza Of their ideas and the
impossible nature of their standard OF per
lection force the use of means not calculated
TO produce the end in view. Their DISPOSE
ton welcomes defeat rather than that vic
tory shall come through ADLER hands than
their own. Thus, this class is far more dan
Nf,a Hhns at rat al mn
For, il dangerous opinions, or even tlagitlous
actions, could be confined to an individual,
the virtuous would experience no uneasi
ness only sorrow for the misguided and
maleVolent. But the absolutely certain con
sequences, corruption, growth Of evil inilu-
ence, multiplication OF destructive agents, as
whole properly alarms, and calls tor earn
est and persistent warnings. A man VINO
seeks only sell is an enemy to both worlds;
and it has been many times proved, at great
cost, that the seemingly Innocent visionary
can be as selfish and hurtiul as another.
In the second class the meanest attributes
of human nature are marked. They have
never labored for the publication OF men
because they were men, but are cunning
enough to note that tide in the affairs of
mortas, as applied TO politics, which, taken
at the flood, leads on TO the "relormer's" for
tune. A little scrutiny would amply reveal
the man. 1t would be seen that he Is an
unblushing place-huuter, seeking Tor his
own personal reformation the highest price
in cash. If he can get his own front feet or
those of his kinsiolk into the state or ma
tional government pig trough, he will be
loyal to his new associates il disappointed,
he will spurn the reiOrmer's tOgl and try it
on another tack
An open and honest enemy all men re-
spect. They are willing TO grant that birth,
breeding, limited mental qualities, and the
influence of association, may render proba'
bic his sincerity They are willing to go
further, and grant that possessing adVan-
tages and standing, isolated cases may occur
in which a man may deem II best TO separate
from life long associations and turn his back
upon principles long advocated and defend
ed. Conscientiousness never fails Of rever-
ence. No nan ever honored or revered
Paul less that at one time he was fanatical
prosecutor. Ii the sincere changeling would
leave the party with which he has long az
Il lated, but which he now considers too de.
PRAYED or too much SHINING for his com
pany, whatever conc usions might be reach
ed as 10 the wisdom Of his action, no human
being would dispute the right, nor wish him
back. But even such a"reformer" would do
well TO consider whether IL might not be
better to regenerate the witch than to swap
her for the devil
On the other hand, all traitors, from Is.
CARROT and Arnold 10 present examples, have
borne the just scorn and execration Of the
whole world. Knowing nothing Of the
secret, inner life, those among whom they
moved and acted gave them the dues OF
honorable men. This was fatal mistake,
but, of course, unavoidable. No man be
comes bad in day; but all except the rash
bide the hour OF their declaration. False
as they always were, the responsibility, the
dominancy, but above all the patronage OF
their party held them 10 seeming loyalty.
COolly calculating the chances Of the agita-
ton which periodically casts the scum to
the surface, and anxious to be in favor with
the winning side, they are prepared, at the
proper instant, 10 "desert 10 the c0Tps d'ettte
Of the lucky" They remain in their party
on purpose 10 destroy it, and, under pre-
tence Of sudden pety, but really under con-
seriousness OF uDdesert and improbability
of promotion, oppose, sara ct faeces-with
stones and with filth-men million times
better than themselves, who, though be.
trayed and slaughtered in the house Of
treacherOus friends %, yet in defeat main
tain kingly consciousness and bearing to
the shame Of their betrayers. A thousand
times less detestabe are those miserable
renegades who from time TO time go over,
body and breeches, TO the enemy for the
loaves and fishes. They are at least not guilty
of that basest Of all base sins, ingratitude,
as are those who once enjoyed high honors
IN their party, but kick and trampleit when
down. That retributive justice which binds
men 10 q belief 10 God brings 70 mind the
old fable: The Horse, seeking vengeance
upon his enemy, applied TO the Man. The
Man mounted, punished the enemy, but re.
fused TO dismount, and has been on the
horses back ever since. Cunning and un
scrupuous victors, having gained what they
wanted, refuse To give 30 much as half
peck OF oats 10 the asses on whose backs
they rode into power. Thank God
In Memoriam.
Died, on the 9Th Of June, 1893, at his late