The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1911-03-17
oAs A POLITICIAN"
A Toast by Hon. J. T. Settles, of
Memphis, Tenn.


Memphis, Tenn.
AS / am expected to speak of Mr..
Napier as politician it may be well
for us to have some definite idea of
the meaning of politics. A distin-
guished scholar once defined politics as
present history and history as past
politics The vitreolic John ]. In
gals describes politics as the meta
physics Of force, in which none but
the strenuous may hope to play part
Webster, however, says politics is that
part of ethics which has to do with
the regulation and government of a
nation or state. The defense of its ex-
istence and rights against foreign con-
troll and conquest, the augmentation
of it's strength and resources, and the
protection of it's citizens in their
rights, with the preservation and i'm
provement of their morals.
From this conception it will be seen
that politics is the chief concern OF
man in his associate relation and con-
ditions, and in all the other modes of
activity whether economic, Industrial
educational or social There is an
other derivative, secondary meaning Of
the word politics. which is the man
agement of political party and the
advancement of its candidates to Office.
One is the science of government,
while the other is the art Of partisan
policy and manipulation. In coun-
try like ours where the functions OF
the government are conducted through
partisan organizations, the secondary
meaning obscures the other in the pop
ular estimation. The vast majority
have no conception of the word aside
from party contentious and the pro-
curement of Office, and many public
men do not like to be called poll
tician.
In no sense of the secondary mean
ing of the word was Mr.. Napier a
politician. His conception Of the es
sential functions and purposes OF gov
eminent has ever been broad and lib
eral. His political efforts were ever
to help regulate governmental affairs
upon the principles or right and JUS
tice, and to secure to all citizens pro
lection in all of their rights and the
preservation and Improvement of theil
morals. His leadership was won ant
held by his merit. His services as
member of the State Republican Exc
cutive Committee all these years wer
rendered for the promotion of his par
ty upon the principles Of justice ant
right. | have been with him in nearl.
every State Convention of his part,
for the last twenty years, and thougl
sometimes fractional passion almost dc
throned judgment and threatene
disruption, never knew him to seel
an unfair advantage of a foe. II
never summed or avoided a politica
fight, but his were always fair, ope
and honorable battles. He neve
stopped to take an unfair advantag,
and would never tolerate trick o
subterfuge to carry his point. He wa
less active always in the interest Q
himself than in that of his party o
his friends.
He is probably the only man
our-race who has represented the stat
at-large in Republican National Col
vention. His consistent, manly an
honorable course has always stampe
him as the statesman rather than tn
politician. His services to his part
and people have been long and faitl
full, and should have long ago bee
recognized in a more substantial wa
He has won many political honor
and has worn every one with hone
and credit to- himself and the entil
race. His battles for his party an
his people have been many and sever
He has sometimes welded the clr
of Hercules wreathed in roses, ar
used the iron hand mailed in silk. F
has never sacrificed principle for poI
cy. His unquestioned integrity, !
loyalty and devotion to duty have VIC
for him the confidence, respect ar
esteem of political friends and fo
alike. His leadership has never bee
cratic or revolutionary, but alwa.
safe and sane. Where Napier leads