Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1880 — POLITICAL EVOLUTION. [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL EVOLUTION.

It is pleasant to know that tho rumor that Mr. Blaine intended to bojpaoent at tbe Chicago convention to manage Ma own candidacy is not firmed. That able and distinguished statesman has Loen heretofore credited with an astuteness Which would forbid, snob an aaprenedewfcil proceeding. Tbe foot that ho had been urged to snob a course at all by any of his friends shows that we are gradually modifying our ideas of the dignity of tbe high place he seeks. There yet lingers among us a feeling that a citizen great enough to be Presi-

dent should not personally engage in a scramble for tho office. This postering for the presidency, this attitudinising for the chief magistracy, this speeding of tbe entered horses before the drum taps, these swingings around the circle, are gradually displacing the old reverence and respect we had for the place Washington filled. In time we may look for the presence at National conventions of all # candidates with their claquers. While the farmer drives his team afield, tbe ward politician and the shoulderhitter will rally to select his candidate for the presidency. Brawn, not bi ain, will settle tho question. As soon as it io determined that one candidate must be present at a National conventioqtomake certain success, tbe precedent will be established. All must follow. The largestcrowd, tbe noisest following, tho most money, the hardest hitters, tbe roughest roughs, will control.

An examination of the newspapers of the early days of the republic proves that since the election of our first President we have been gradually popularizing, so to say, our methods of nominating candidates for the presidency. Old John Adams betrayed his anxiety for the place, and figuered for it, as did his friends. He was chagrined when Jefferson supplanted him, and, it is said, sneaked out of the capital between two days. Jefferson was an inveterate letter-writer. He hadno “magnetism,” but be wielded abusy and effective pen. With shame and confusion it must be confessed that the “Sage of Monticello,” the father ofDemocracy, actually had a bureau —and such a bureau! The like of it has never been seen, even by Tilden, since. In this antique piece of political furniture it is surmised that there were secret drawers, never yet opened to modern eyes. Hildreth discovered one or two, but Bancroft closed them with precipitation and reverence, and it is not probable they will be opened again until we know certainly who wrote Junius's letters, what became of the Dauphin, or who wore the iron mask. It is well enough to seal up certain chambers, or put an inscription over them, as they do at Pompeii. This Paul Pry curiosity of Utter days is death to dignity and hero-worship. The .reservoir of tears that supplied the eyes of the “weeping Madonna” ought never have been discovered. It was unfortunate that certain oracles were found to be telephonic. There were Edisons in that day, In priestly garb. The American is probably now .living who will see a National convention of base-ball clubs called for of nominating candidates for the presidency. There ■will be economy and celerity in it. That physical perfection with the Greeks found so necessary to intellectual power will then have full play. Plug-uglies will nave no show as now. Then will the “best man win.”