The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-12
"cIvlC HEROES"

"ClVlC HEROES.
One of the most beautiful tributes that
have been paid to Circuit Attorney FOLK,
of St. Louis, is contained in an editorial
article in a recent issue Of the New York
Evening Post on Civic Heroes Inc
Post says that ever since our country
was in swaddling clothes we have had
a keen eye for heroes, but too often they
have been but the victors of hard fought
fields or the leaders Of brilliant charges,
and then quotes from Gibbon his famous
saying that "As long as mankind shall
continue to bestow more liberal applause
on their destroyers than upon their bene-
factors the thirst for military glory will
ever be the vice of the most exalted
characters"
'.But it," adds the Post, 'in the course
of time we come to bestow equal praise
on the warriors of civil life, who make
their fight against greed and corruption
and existing injustice, may we not expect
an equally far-reaching desire for the
glory resulting from civic duties nohly
performed?" Then coming to the point
OF this article the Post says:
That something Of this sort may real
~ come TO pass is the suggestion and the
hope which center about such men as
the Circuit Attorney of St. Louis. When
rejecting upon the enthusiasm which
his course has aroused 1t is of moment
to remember that his heroism has been
almost wholly Of the moral rather than
the physical sort. During the entire
course Of his exposure and conviction Of
the boodlers Of the ST. Louis Council so
20, b1 a p,a
shot or smash in door. He warned
his party associates when they sought
to nominate him that they must choose
some other man unless they wished the
law upheld and the guilty punished.
When he was elected his struggle with
them began. His fibre was put to the
test AS he drew the netj,ghter about
the boodlers, he was beSet. The politi-
Gains soon saw that their commands or
entreaties were alike as naught to him,
and they sent others to him. Business
men begged him to desist, let the reputa-
ton of St. Louis suffer. Clergymen warned
him that he was going too far when MEM
bers of their church or congregation
were caught in his web. He was threat
ened. spcd upon; his early history was
searched for the discovery of some flaw
or weakness in his record or character.
But he resisted all alike He remained
at his post 1t was his logged persist
ence that soon spread panic among the
members Of the gang. Here was man
OF a new sort. He could not be pulled
off or itushed up. Some criminals fled
the country. Others fingered on the bor-
ders OF the State. awaiting events. Soon
some one, to save himself. blufted out
the truth. The Democratic boss Of the
city was tried and convicted Men Of
wealth, of social position in the COM
nlunity, the secret givers Of brides, were
,l,t i,,sti ,n
Then, when the municipal gang was dis
posed of, Mr.. Folk turned himself to the
State House ring, with results which are
the familiar history Of recent months
Far be 1t from lis to detract from the
fame OF military heroes, who in time of
war have done valiant service for their
country. But peace hath her heroes, or
should have them. no less renowned than
war; and Mr.. Folk has demonstrated that
the civic hero is as much admired as the
hero of dozen battles He has done
splendid work in running down the hood
lers OF Missouri and exposing their mean
ness, but he has done greater work still
IN setting noble example in civic hero,
Ism and In stimulating young men with
thirst for public life 10 initiate his ex-
ample. Inc l'o!iICidh Is very apt to be-
come a demagogue because he usually
canvasses for votes among that class Of
thoughtless people who are carried away
by the passion or the enthusiasm of the
hour. and such people are apt to be
caught by clap-trap Public officials also
are disposed too often to cater to that
class. but Mr., Folk has shown that the
public Official who does his duty fearless
~ and honestly may be sure of having
the approval. of the masses.
But there is one important consideration
in the career OF Mr. Folk which must not
be overlooked. When he began his hunt
for the boodlers his enemies began at
once 10 look up his own record, and to
see If 1t was GOOD, II they had found
that he had been party to any shady
transaction the force of his fight would
have been broken and he would perhaps
have failed. But fortunately for him and
for the cause his score was clean. md
with all their searching his enemies could
find nothing against him. Mr. Folk has
daring, he has courage and he has deter
minat!on. but more than all he has char
acter. without which his other qualities
would have counted for little. The mill
tary hero may freebooter, but the civic
hero must be a man of character.
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