HONEST POLITICS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4627, 2 November 1883, Page 2

HONEST POLITICS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib, —Neither falsehood, wickedness, or :C unsteadiness of character are entitled to complaisance. Although ignorance and " hypocrisy at present rule the world; they will in the not far distant future be super* seded by universal brotherhood, the true secret of which is equality of knowledge ;; and honesty of its application. The latter condition must be unqualifiedly insisted upon in selecting our Parliamentary representatives at the next general election, for there can be no greater injury done to society or the cause of freedom than that political talents should be esteemed honor* able to their possessors without any regard- I to the mode or purposes to which they are applied. The gifts of genius or tbe acquisitions of art are valuable only when used to promote public good or protect the interests of virtue, or when controlled and regulated by the strictest rules of honor. Until we are assured by personal observation and trustworthy report that; they who seek our suffrage will honestly apply their talents to our service, we should abstract our minds from all their excellences, for otherwise the charms of their eloquence or agree* able and plausible manner may induce us to trust our political privileges to those who afterwards, as our reason may tell and experience prove, we ought to detest as political pretenders and deceivers. When we suffer ourselves to be carried away by mere wit, specious promises, or fine talents, we are abject slaves/who dote. upon that which we ought to condemn. This is really our conduct in allowing ourselves to approve any conduct but that which tends to the promotion, of , what is good or honorable. We must examine and consider political pretensions by the light of reason, justice, and ex> perience. Their value must be estimated by the application of talents to the country's needs, and not by the eminence of those qualities abstracted from their use. Yet the very contrary course has prevailed, and does prevail, amongst the generality of electors. Unjust application of laudable talents is tolerated in the general opinion of men—not only in politics, but also in matters which concern) ? ordinary life. In parliamentary business such a dereliction of duty is despicable and disastrous; the consequences being s ; greater too, tor legislation is not only for to-day but for posterity. If intention were invariably and steadfastly considered as the measure of approbation, falsehood would so-n lose favor, and a political speech, in imposing on mankind, would be as contemptible in one state of life as another, bat the fact is we are as low in political morality as huxters in trade, and he is in most: danger who is most apt to believe. Plato says, •• That knowledge without justica ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom, so a mind prepared to meet danger, if excited by its own eagerness, ■-. and nofc the public good, deserves the --■ name of audacity rather than courage." : Those men only deserve our political confidence who place their ambition rather ;.'■ in acquiring to themselves the conscious* ness of worthy enterprises than in the "■""' prospect of glory which attends them. When a man is thoroughly persuaded ..-.?■- that he ought neither to admire, wish for, or pursue anything bat what is exactly his duty to his constituents, it is not in the power of seasons, ministers, persons, - or accidents, to diminish his rahie. He only is a good representative and a great «- v man who can neglect the applauseoosf s- '' governmentsand enjoy himself in the favor of his country and constituents. This is indeed an arduous task, but it should comfort a glorious spirit that it is the highest step to which human nature can ' attain. Triumph, applause, acclamation, are dear to the |mind of man, but it is still a more exquisite delight to say to one's self—You have done well, than to > hear the whole human race pronounce you glorious, except you yourself can join with them in your own reflections. A mind thus equal and uniform may be deserted by little fashionable admirers and followers, but by the poor, the humble, the j* just; and true patriots, he will be ever k held in reverence.—l am, &c., Eefobmbb.