The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-04-18
Abemt Political Trnicr-, Aposintcs, SC.

Abem, Political Trndcr-, Aposintcs, SC.
The history of noted politicians alway sabonnd;
in useful and instructive lessons. From their rise
progress, and, what is so frequent their downfall
the young and inexperienced aspirant may ga
Their fund Of knowledge that will enable him to
run clear of many Of the rocks and shoals upon
which slouier vessels are often wrecked.
Who, for example, may not learn wisdom from
the history Of John Tyler! Taken, by the whls
party, from comparative obscurity. without any
shining qualities to recommend him. not even
sympalhising with them in principle, mere
catch-vote, he was raised TO tho second office in
the gift ofthe nation, and, Providence incrposing
rs If to confound The wings by their own devices
he was exalted TO the first. A rise so high and
so sudden and unexpected, would have been full
Of imminence to the stoulcst intellect-,o Tyler
it was ruin. Forgetting tina, at best he wasbui
Gith.ra,c nan, barely respectable county attor.
ncy, without single attribute Of true greatness
in his giddy height melted hy a newly stimulat.
cd ambition, he dared flights from which Napc-
lean might have shrunk 10 bronx up the par
ty organizations of the day, to make b mself the
head of new md victorious party, 10 have him
self elected president, and to attain for himself
name among the mighty men Of the earh--thCse
were among his wild drcamings--and to attain
such ends, all the means and appliances within
his power were directed with a steady aim. Pow.
or, patronage, inhucnce-all were alike bu, the
merchandise TO barter for political sycophapcy
and PROSTITUTION. Vain man to think hy poll
teal trading and corruption to rise in nation Of
vihuous frccmen. In his sclfassumed greatness
the people bu, saw how little hn was and he who
by his "nuht sublime" thought to astonsh n
world astnnishcd it but by the pricipi,ancy Of his
fall, and never "nor man nor fcnd hath fallen
so far"
In Gov. Porter Of Pennsylvania we have nno-
tho striking instance Of scf.o 'crlcaping ambition.
With fair abilities. unassuming, little known, I'M
contaminated by tho corruptions Of mere party
ism, democrat from love Of his country, he was
taken "fresh from the ranks Of the people md
placed in the executive chair of his native state
Distrustful Of his own abilities, and seeking hut
the public good, he called around him the wisesi
heads in the state, and tho frs, term Of his admi
nistraiion was distinguished for its moderation
and wisdom, and stood 10 bold contrast with the
pro1iga,c aud corrupt dynasty tina, had immediate.
ly preceded it. Tho name Of Porter and homes,
craftsmanship were esteemed terms that might be
used Interchangeable. Tho time came for new
election; the democrats held their convention
Porter was rc-nominatcd by reclamation the
wings put agains, him their strongest man; and
the democrats succeeded by tho overwhelming
majority Of 10000. The brinncv Of this ri.
ticipnicd success, deemiur his popularity hound |
less, and become "cxcccding wise in his own con-
ceis,' no power 10 grcnt. no station 50 exalted,
bu, he hncicd within his grasp. But he would
rise by steps. A seat in tho United States senate
he deigned to choose for himself a, the end of his
gubcrna,orial term. And now all things must
snbservo 10 the attainment Of this object. His
old and tried friends the hoary veterans Of de.
mocrncy that crst had guided his trembling fee,
In safety, but who scornel to play the sycophact
or minister to his inordnatc ambition, ono by one
were dismissed from his prcseucc-,hcir places
filled bya motley train Of political weathercocks
and huckstcrs, bought for their scrvi,y, and no,
content with even these the BabyIonish harlot
Tylcrism was called in TO minglo her pollu,ions
with the rest. The result is easily surmiscd.
The democracy cast him of as they would an al. !
Jer--thc wings Stunned his touch like deadly |
contagion--the few miserable tools he had bough, |
up chung to him only ill his official term expired |
and then all forsook him--and hated, loalhed,
friendless, "soliiary and alone" he sinks bnck in
topoliiical noshingucss, 80 marches aud forgot
ten thing"
'Let him tina, thinkcth he sandeth, take heed
lest he fall" In the fale Of Porter and Tyler
the man Of power and place may read as certain
" as foret nowicjge could tell him, the inevitable
end that awaits him IL no prostitutes his Office 10
subserve his own ambitious purposes. A strong
man, with great apparent influence may be bought
by place, but you hold him but by the place
friendship. true, fast, goes not by such barter
and then, in making the trade, have You reckon
ed how many friends you are about to sell--truc
friends. one Of whom is worth hundred bought.
en- sycophants Dc carefully True friendship,
honorable preferment, and true greatness can ne.
yer be bought. They are the rewards Of a long
and unremitied round Of honest toll and woe
10 him Ina, would make them a merchandise
commodity!
"He that hath ears TO hear Let him heart
M0rshat of Niuois-S. n Axprusos farmer. |