"HERR ZERSTOERER."

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 62, 1 April 1879, Page 2

"HERR ZERSTOERER."

Mr Smiles in his little book on "Charaoter," thus describes it : — " Character is one of the greatest motive powers in the world. Great men are always exceptional men, and greatness itself is but comparative. Indeed the range of most men in life is so limited, that very few have the opportunity of being great. But each man can act his part honestly and honorably, and to the best of his ability. He can use his gifts, and not abuse them. He can strive to make the best of life. He can be true, just, and faithful even in small things." These are cheering words, and well would it be for a community if all would heed them. How hard it is to worlc for the advancement of a County, district, ward, or board is known to those who have honestly striven so to do, especially when within a district there resides a Herr Zestoerer- v man who is perpetually hunting after any little scandal; who delights in raising any legal question; who can always see that things aro done wrong, that public officials are actuated by selfish and improper motives ; but one who generally abstains from lending a helping hand, " honestly afid honorably, and to the best of his ability." Settlers in every district should scrutinise the actions of their public men.and solve for themselves the problem as to who acts the part of a Herr Zerstoerer. Herr Zersloerer may be led to accept a representative office, but if he doj3, he is not inspired by sound principles, nor with an undeviating adherence to truth, nor does he care to exercise that control over bis temper, which will prevent him from becoming the slave of his strongest desire for the time being. Therefore, a desire to satisfy a temporary alight, would permit him to sacrifice the influence it is necessary for a representative to possess. He enters into office, not with the desire to forward the business of the meeting, but to take advantage of any opportunities to point out others' shortcomings. These undesirable characteristics cause Herr Zestoerer to be shunned, or where that is impracticable, which it generally is, to be permitted to destroy the institutions which he has attacked, or to bo met by such sharp measures, which prevent him from being of any use to the district ho ie supposed to work for. It would bo better for a district to deter* mine who is Herr Zerstoerer and at once declare him to be so, than by a desire for peace permit him for a time to indulge his passions to the verge of chaos. The naming is finished— if there is a Herr Zerstoerer in this community, know him, and heed not denunciations, back up the men you know you can trust and believe that it needs but a little public interest to turn the edge of all his ravings. Kecollcot "as for institutions, however good in themselves, they will avail but little in maintaining the standard of national character. It is the individual men, and the spirit which actuates them, that determine the moral standing and stability of nations. Government in the long run, is usually no better than the people governed. Where the muss is sound in c mscience, morals, and habit, the nation will be ruled honestly and nobly. But where they are corrupt, self-seeking, and dishonest in heart, bound neither by truth nor by law, the rule of rogues and wire pullers becomes inevitable." *Mr Destroyer.