The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-11-13
POPULAR POLITICIANS

yet one Of the most popular polit-
clans CT the age in which be lived
Though born OF Puritan parents. The
mos d.ssolute cavaliers stood aghasi
at his dissoluteness. His mendacity
passed into proverbs. In mere wan
tonress of impiety he offered insults
to the religion of his country too foul
to be repeated Womanly modesty
and virtue appealed TO him In vain.
OF all the prevaricators Of his time
he was the most deliberate. the most
resourceful. He did not know the
meaning of shame, and was proof
against criticisms of all kinds. Sal.
ire, wit, sarcasm. invective. irony,
and all the arts of intellect were lost
upon him. II was impossible TO make
him feel There was but one virtu-
Gus tie that he respectable was
true to his political affiliations. tie
was an ardent whig and took keen
delight in the triumph OF its candi-
dates. To carry elections his way he
was generous in his contributions,
and the outward arts OF the politician
were born to him. He was likewise
brave and daring. and was thought %
have been the best shot and the best
swordsman in England.
Sometimes as many as twenty mem
bers of parliament were attributable
to his efforts AS a canvasser he was
irresistible. He never forgot a face
that he had once seen. and he knew
the names of all the sons and daugh.
tiers OF every blacksmith and butcher
in his districts and inquired about
them by name. His progress through
the counties TO the quarter sessions
resembled a royal procession. Flow
ers were strewn along his wayside
and bells were rung In his honor.
Dean Swift said that be was every
where regarded as a prodiEate AMI
a villain. yet he retained his wonder.
full popularity until his death.
On the other hand. Hanlax was a
gentleman Of the highest order. Ia
genius he ranked first. Macaulay
says that hts intellect was fertile, sub
tie and capacious That his polished.
luminous and animated eloquence. SCI
off by the silver tones OF his voice
was the delight OF the house Of lords.
His speeches were not only eioquent
but profound. and viii bear the test
of the ages for their depth. soundness
and lucidity His tracts and contrihu.
tions were classics.
Yet this man. possessing az these
attributes. vas less successful in the
domain of politics than Tom Wharion.
his very antlthesls in sverythinE
great and noble.
AS it was then. 50 Il IL larEely %
day.
The trimmer. the faker ihe dema.
gogue. the hot-alr artist. the one who
can resort 10 mean arts who an
knock down and drag oat. whO elii
stoop to all sorts Of questionable
methods. Il the che who generaiig
gets the political plum
The man who viii condemns in his
own party the methods he coademns
In the opposition. the man Nho Is ~.
verely rigid In BIS exaciiuns an8
points out the faults Of hls pary asso
ciates with the same yirnr fhaf 81
points out the faults - hls political
adversaries. can little hnra iof HaiI
ical popularity ~ prefermenf
Speaking Of Haiifax. Maesaiay ssFs
that he always saN passing eTani
not in the point ~ vleH In Whieh lhss
commonly appear - one $40 bears
part IN them. bat IN tae polnt ~ tIsa
In which. after the lapse af feafs
they appear a. ne phileaepaie asin
rian.
With such q tuTn ~ miaa - 50
can Ions ccniinus 20 aff rafd.an
with any beds Of men. aH the nsen
dices. all me exaRseraflons nf Ell
great parties. moFa him alae fe'
scorn. He cannni faieFste the msn
arts and uBreasonlua elsmaFs 81 8fm
asogues. whistler Ia fhs aa1osasa
ia bis own hoasetcld
Halifax sneered imnarmliF a. Co.
bigotFy - che Churehman aaa 81 a.
bigotry ~ the fsunltan s. = ee
be popular wiih neIfheF faefhn N
could not andefsfanf haa aas go
should object 10 s'tinfa aass aaa 81
plices.; o. how afF MAJ saes8 49,
secute any other man ~ ohleelas d
them. His place as hefaeen -