THE CALL OF THE LAND 



not, however and here we come upon an- 

 other anarchic habit of our time render 

 it right for good citizens to decline office. 

 No more useful career is possible for good 

 men in this age. The common thought 

 upon this point is wholly perverse. We 

 need that hosts of thoroughly able and 

 moral young men, well trained in political 

 and social science, including ethics, should 

 set politics before themselves as their life- 

 work. Do not sneer at professional politics 

 if only it be of the right kind. Rightly fol- 

 lowed, it would be a noble calling. Why 

 should not any of us enter upon a public 

 position with a truly philanthropic thought 

 in his heart, taking the place to advance his 

 community, his country, and the race in 

 virtue and happiness? To be a public 

 servant after that fashion requires extraor- 

 dinary grace. To succeed, one must culti- 

 vate the hard side of his nature, nerve to 

 face opposition, to endure lies, libels, and 

 the whole contradiction of the wicked 

 against him, to give blows as well as to take 

 them. 



338 



