American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-11-13
Amcrtton Republican,
AND
BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
FRIDAY MORNING, Nov. IS, ls4s.

Attorney General ofthc United States, the dis
tinrushcd Hugh ) Legare, being applied to
Ly young gentleman to direct him in the
study necessary to qualify him for public life,
returned him a most admirable answer, which
appeared in yesterdays National lntolligencer
We confne ourselves to a short extract from
this reply, not having room for the whole, He
says;-'ln most cases, whea | am applied to
for suggestions about course Of stndy, say
throw away books, and turn out among the
people. The truth is, in this country above all
others, bookish men are rather summed by
practical ones, and, ifa man be a student, he is
required to give very strong proofs OF his ell
Cheney or it will be taken for granted that he
is good for nothing in affairs. This is the rock
you are to avoid"
1.-THE simple object be to get into public life,
it is certainly better, as Mr.. Lcgare says, to
estura out among the people," than to employ
ones tine with books, This is the plainest,
shortest and most secure road to public life, and
il is the one which is usually travelled by poll
teal aspirants Talents, industry and perse-
vcrance are required to obtain distinctions
though not to acquire fortune, in the profession
of the aw-whilst with the mere politician,
boldncss, impudence, and a pretended zeal for
the public interests, are usually found to be
sufficient. In the selection of his course of
study, young man should, therefore, first de-
eide upon the object which he designs to aim
at. If it be simply political power, ne may
throw books, (and we had almost said, homes
ty,) asde-get by heart the cant phrases of
party-rcad parti2an ewspapers-hattcr the
people--and boldly put in his claims to politi-
cal preferment. We have known Legislators
members of congress-who could hardly spell
common words in the English language, and
yet could out-poll the most thorough bred
scholars in their district. For political ad-
vancement, then, learning is not necessary
But if the youth desire not only to get into
public life, but to be distinguished in his sta
ton, he must not only be a close student of
books, but he must have an accurate knowledge
of man-commo sense, and a just discretion
Mere book knowledge will never enable man
to become an effective publicsPeaker- there
is such a thing as q learned fool. II has been
said that ':the noJlest study Of mankind is
mainland there can be no doubt that the
knowledge acquired by this study, constitutes
the grand secret of the success Of most of our
distinguished statesmen and orators. Without
% a. -. -,
pose. It is only boarding. up a store OF know
ledge which can never be uscCully employed.
MISTAKES CORRECTED. When the news of
the armistica granted, by General Taylor, was
received At Washington, in the first exultation
at the splendid victory which had been achev-
ed, the executive resolved that the armistice
should be at once annulled, and our army or.
dered to proceed on its route forthwith. The
consequences of such movement were not
duly weighed or not considered of great impor-
tance--a messenger was, therefore, hastily DIES
patched to General Taylor, directing him to
terminate the atmistiCe and to continue his
march. Against this ill,judged proceeding
there was a general outcry-Gnd it seems, that
mature reflection has convinced the executive
that he was in error in the hasty decision
which he gave, as he has since counterrnanded
his peremptory order, and given 4 greater lati
tude of discretion TO General Taylor, 1t APP
pears from the Union, that he is to be "pcr-
mtted, in some degree, to consult his own DIS
Cretom." 1t is the part Of wisdom to correct
an error when discovered, and we therefore
give the executive credit for the prompt recall
or modification of the first order to General
Taylor-for it will doubtless save our army
from unnecessary hazard, and perhaps, con-
tribute to the promotion Of peace. 1t is now
probable, that General Taylor will remain at
Monterey, at least until force can be sent
against Tampico; and that his army will be re-
iniorced from all available sources. But we
consider it doubtful whether it will become ne
cessary TO push our conquests in Mexico. The
Mexican Congress will be in session in a few
weeks, (the 9th of December and it may be
decided to accept the proposition heretofore Of
fered by our government, to open negotiations
for peace.
This would be a satisfactory result to both
parties, for the war is exhaustng both nations,
withou. an adequate object on either side. We
are contending for few millions Of dollars due
to US by Mexico, and she is spending more in
the fight than would pay our demand. We
have the authority of the President for saying,
that it is not war of conquest on our part,
and consequently, that we do not want any of
her land, excepting it be fairly purchased
Under these circumstances it could not, we
presume, be difficult matter TO adjust differ
nucns aud seiiln the cnnditinns Of a neace Il