Statesmen had had experience—they had lived. They knew values, what served and what was not desirable. They also knew that no one reaches any goal alone. No man can progress much faster than the rest of his kind.
So the statesman was a representative man, but a pioneer in progress. His avocation was to work for his kind. His vocation was his own business, which he minded very carefully.
Appreciative people saw the benefit to others, and gave the statesman the recognition of honors. This was all he desired or needed. He was not a pauper, he was not submerged in financial difficulties. The oppressed can not see beyond their own needs—are incapable of generous thoughts or wise judgment.
Statesmen were and are strong, successful men. People want for a savior one who can first save himself.
There came a time when statesmen, like lawyers, received pay for services rendered.
And lo, politicians and grafters, plums and taxes!
Today, statesmen are few and are classed as politicians.
All political offices have a little twig of laurel tied to the door, but the pay-envelope inside is generally what lures men to enter and abide. “The laborer is worthy of his hire,” they affirm. And he is, provided he labors for the thing for which he was hired.
“The people” are willing to pay politicians for piecework, provided the quality is right.
When we say, “Children are the greatest asset of the nation,” everybody nods assent to the sentiment, and many applaud.