Evening Times Republican

One of the late President Harrison's favorite private savings was this quotation:

"Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this multitude?"

It was General Harrison's way of speaking of what politicians seem to fear more than anything, the fickleness of public opinion. This topic came up for discussion the other night at the Arlington in Washington, and one in a group of public men said:

"Most of my friends believe that politicians dig their own political graves. Rivals and factional adversaries and the newspapers help somewhat, but it is almost a standard saying that the downfall of politicians is due almost entirely to their own conduct and their own mentality.

"Others, fine, sturdy and capable fellows, are frequently hurt by stupid and selfish associates and friends whose opinions on policies and public sentiment aren't worth a stiver. Others become heady over sudden and great prominence and run down steep places like the pigs in the Bible.

"Nothing is so dreaded by them as the fickleness of public opinion. It is with them strong and buoyant over night and gone in the morning."

But "the fickle public" generally has good reasons for the sudden changes of which it stands accused. Public men are far from infallible and make serious mistakes. The critical public notices every one of them. Again the public man that sooner or later does not become conceited and officiously egotistical, in the slang of the day does not get "the big head," is the exception rather than the rule. He thinks the public has changed; rather is the greater change in the public man.

Iowa has had some lamentable cases of this kind.

Here's still another clipping: