Year: 1873

In the fresh and kindly llgnt OF Jne sedsOu
that brings some half-unconsciOus hope to the
forlorncst cynic, we may read again, without
bitterness, the story of the past Winter. 1t Is
not holiday prose- but it holds lesson and a
suggestion. The political page is streaked and
worn with the meanest of moral dlrt-dis-
honor, cOwardicc, sclfshness too petty and
coarse to wear even the questionable grace OF
audacity. None like to recall those shame
full details Of dishonesty whose bravest
refuge was lie. Malcontents murmur
that the country fOrgets. We believe
too heartily in manliness and honor
TO believe that it fOrgets. We would have 1t
remember, not for revenge, but for warning.
The poor weaklngs caught in the net them
selves had spun are of little consequence
Their names may go, but not their oiienses
The political easiness, the moral slOth that
would excuse, bury, or sit down in despair
before these, the country cannot afford any
moro than the individual. Honor is not
glove to be whipped off when the hand seeks
an unlawful treasury, and to be put on,
smooth and clean when the pocket is filed
sympathy for a fallen "Chrstan statesman"
is perhaps cOmmendable, but first comes
Justice. These offenders were miserably weak
rather than willfully wicked; but remembering
the dangerous lowering of the political tone that
suffered men to yield to temptation, and to
consider themselves martyrs when they were
found out it is impossible not to desire that
they should be condemned. There ought at
least to be penalty of lasting disgrace for
political wrong doing. 1t is perilous to forget,
perilous to smile at dishOnor. If our politics
are ever to rise above the buying and selling
stage, it cannot be through the slip-shOd in
difference of the public. We must have
sterner, more exact standard of feeling and
conduct that won't melt into maudlin tears or
weak excuses at the bidding of party. If there
are to be new parties, they will be wise to
make this declaration among others: that-t0
paraphrase Voltaire's epigram-it is well to
punish politicians "pOur encOurdger les dutres"
The decapitation of an occasional crow IN
corn-feld is the most wholesome and imprOv-
ing thing in the wOrld-for the rest of the
crows.


It is a pet complaint of social hypochon-
driacs that since the Rebellion our moral,
financial, and political standards have fallen,
or have certainly not risen ;-and there Is
a good deal of truth in these gIOans. Men
regard with gentle cOmplacency the wealthy
scamp whose money comes round suspicious
and unexpected corners. A writer who has
long served enthusiasts as an ideal OF the
stainless gentleman, says of the reputation OF
a politician confessedly false and fallen, that
"none will go down to futurity more envi-
"ablen 1t would seem that no base fellow
need be afraid to thrust his coarse voice into
the Government chorus, be he only sly and
rich enough. We don't want a Diogenes to
find out that money and party name are the
guides and rulers of affairs. In literature,
too, and in journalism the popular standards
are not high Men write too much without
meaning or caring what they say, and criti-
cism, personal and literary, is too often neither
lust nor sincere. But spite of all this, who
believes that the country is gong to destruc-
tionH There is healthy pulse under all,
that responds to every truthful and earnest
search. Beyond indolent unbelief, stony
moralities and mere pew-holding piety, there
is a warm and simple faith, that bids us hope,
if, as Carlyle says, the God-fearing armies are
the successful ones. There is no need to be
cynical or despairing. There is, indeed, q
coarse, shallow, and money-getting spirit in
the nation, but the fact that men realize and
discuss it brings the certainty of redemption.
If TO live an honorable and sincere life, to
serve God, and be just to ones neighbor, are
not sentimental distractions, so too are not
good faith and trustiness in the combinations
of politics and business.


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