Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-02-08
POLITICS AS A PROFESSION.
Only the Worker For Honorable
Fame Worthy of Trust.

James Hamilton Lewis, Of the state
Of Washington, created something Of
a sensation by his recent lecture before
the students Of the University Of Mich
igan, at Ann Arbor.
The former congressman spoke to the
selected subject, "The Politician" He
had been preceded in the course Of lee
lures by Minister WI, Bird Coler, Of
New York, and Senator Fairbanks, of
Indiana.
It was expected that the man from
the Pacific would have condemned the
politician" such being the general
trend Of the speeches on that subject.
The faculty Of the university and an
audience Of 1000 had assembled to Eear
the now famous Democratic orator up
on his theme. They wildly applauded
his oratory and some regretted it next
day.
The manner Of his handling his sub
ject will be gathered by his opening
sentence: "I come not to bury Caesar,
but to praise him." He then proceeded
claiming that there was too much
general and indiscriminate condemna-
ton Of the politician and not enough
intelligent selection between the COM
mendable politician who serves his
country we'll in results, and the unde-
serving imposter who affects solfcitude
for government as a cover to pollute
the state and pillsge the people,"
After this premise the speaker boldly
proclaimed that there was not one
great act resulting in good to the re-
public Of America or to any other gov
ernment that was not the work Of the
politician" He also maintained that
the greatest incentive to public acts
which had advanced the state and ben
efitted the people had been the selfish
motive Of the author in his desire to
gain just renown for the deed-both to
himself in life and for his posterity af-
ter death. He cited illustrations in the
famous persons and deeds from the his
tory of the ancient and modern times
to prove his assertion, displaying much
research and learning. He included
Christ and Moses and localized his H.
Illustrations by citing the records Of ex-
President Mckinley and Senators Cor
man, Platt, Hill and Hanna. His COM
pliments paid to the ability Of Senators
Platt and Hanna evoked applause. like
wise his tribute to Mckinley.
OF Hanna, he said, If he had been
ushered into politics "heralded as a
man only Of rapacity, he now must be
reckoned with as a man Of proved ca
pacity." That Senator Hanna had risen
to the place of praise, stimulated by
the desire to rise above character Of the
human dollar mark with which Daven-
port, the cartoonist, had tattooed him.
He claimed that President Roose-
welt, recognizing by his official ap-
pointments the distinction between the
politician who Is such by education and
integrity, from the pretender and i'm
poster, would bring upon himself the
opposition Of the intriguing tricksters
and be defeated for nomination In his
own party-"That for Roosevelts
Americanism he would lose the presi-
dency."
His conclusions were that 1t was the
duty of the people to encourage the
learned and capable politician as nee
essary institution for the proper con-
duct Of republican form of government.
That universities should teach and gov
ernment recognize that the skilled pol
itician, learned in state craft and pub
lie measures, became a scientist In the
art of elective government, just as
much as one learned in diplomacy or
knowledge of finance. That the true
way to eradicate dishonest men from
control Of affairs was to make 1t lauda-
BILE for men to give studious attention
to politics as such, and to proclaim
that rewards of official honor would be
given to the competent and the deserv-
ing politician by his country.
This new treatment of the subject
by Colonel Lewis-unexpected as 1t
was-has aroused the criticism in some
quarters that the orator, in embellished
language and fascinating speech, has
set before the students the standard
Of pure selfishness, and done much to
destroy the ideals of unselfish ambition
to serve the country for the country's
sake alone, which the professors have
for so long sought to establish.
Mr.. Lewis Is to be followed by Chas.
Emory Smith, formerly postmaster gen.
eral; Senator Beveridge, of Indiana,
and Clark Howell, editor Of the At
lanta Constitution.