The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-13
WILMINGTON. n. G..
THE REAL CAUSE OF PRESENT
POLITICAL SERVICE.

~ 49, ~AN @"0oS " 49,
orable men in high places. We are
driving our best citizens out of our
service. The hardened politicians only
will be left to conduct our affairs. AL
ready the men of culture, refinement
and delicate sensibility turn their back
on public employment" That is the
veriest bosh. The abuse of honorable
znen in high places" was more rampant
in George Washington's day than in
McKinley's lay Those who know politi-
cal history know this. Later still in sew
eral leading, able administrations, the
abuse and censure Of honorable men
in high places was more t%ruculent,
more intensely personal and coarse
than it ever is in these days. And this
was the ease when there was not one
tenth Of cause for it then as there is
now, in these days Of prostituted poll
tice and personal and political venali-
ty. Washington, Jefferson, Madison,
jackson, were able and patriotic and
pure men above money, above price,
above all suspicion. Their characters
politically and personally were not
smirched, and savage abuse and broad
denunciations fell powerless at their
feet. The last thirty years nave re-
Vealed n condition in politics never
known before the war. Und Van
Buren,, one rascal who stole some mill
lion or so and fled, brought great re-
proach to the administration, but the
presidents character felt no stain and
ne received no personal reproach that
WAS justified. But under Grant, Gar
Held and others who hav succeeded
them there have been the best reasons
for suspecting a great deal of outrage
GUS venality and political crime in the
highest office as in the congress-, and
perhaps even in the judiciary. When
the best citizens fail to get into the
governments service, it is not because
of violent abuse, or unjust elimination
OF any unfair criticisms Of such men,
but because of political self-seeking of
either inferior or really depraved
men, and their success in obtaining the
nigh coveted places by means of cajol-
ing and artful manipulation of means
and intense energy, and an appeal to
the ways hat are dark SO we'll
known to the corrupt politician who be-
IeVes " in getting there"
OF course, the standard of men in
office is very low n vulgar now.
These are days of decadence and de-
pressed ideals. Men can do now with
ssnpunity a score of things that would
have blasted their names and pros
poets forever if attempted prior to
1861. This is true or we do not know
how to tell it. This low standard of
morality and honor applies to all call
ings in life, and will be found in trade,
IN law, in medicine, in Journalism, in
the courts, in the legislatures, in the
schools, in the political arena.
The people themselves are to blame
tor most of this. They have listened
sRith itching ears and easy redulity |
to the professional liars, the indus q,
trious promises of good, the unmiti- /
gated, vulgar .d~emagogue, who fret the
Hagry multitude" play off upon ignor-
sance, bamboozle the plant, good, I'M
.suspecting. disconnected, well-meaning
voter, and is but really a bird of prey,
THAT shrieks upon the sullen tempest's
wing'' aud is ready to devour all and
ITO swallow his own supplied con-
science. Not until the people them
selve put the brand of condemnation
and reputation upon the trading.
reckless, unprincipled demagogues Will
the old standard of personal and politl-
cal rectitude be restored and the non
u~or,la ,,oan,b vaParY-o1 t0 in the extract |
he ever in the public service again. 1t
lis not "wanton abuse" but public in
difference and a ready yielding to the
manipulating ~palavering, insincere, in
famous. mercenary, self-seeking dema-
gogues who hold the public ear. Tha
Ks the real cause Of present serious,
rnost deplorable conditions in our state
and in other states. and in the govern
snent at large. 1t is not "wanton
sabuse" of s'1nen of culture, refinement
and delicate sensibility" that causes
she hardened politicians only" to be
~7eft to control our affairs ON, no,
srot that. The men of the higher type
the men of nobility and purity of
Eoul and character are not IN the
scramble, for it is unseemly and Often
: szve to all their ideas and instincts,
= ksat it is the fault Of the people who
nave preferred the red-mouth, blatant
>denagogue to the men OF the type de-
ecrfbed by the northern writer as re-
fected. Whenever the people so wi. it
che best men will figure in the field of
nautical science and civic life. But
che people will I'VE first to be edu-
atated upward. Like people like poll
.trians in office.
Who is president OF the United
States? Ut is a man politically owned
!. and bossed by about the most corrupt
rascal of his times. Mark Hanna has
aFchyinlay,s hond for Slid 900. Mark