American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-29


"YoU HAVE Work TO Do: Go AHEAD. -
Such were the words used by the lamented
and distinguished Major Ringgold, when NOR
tally wounded in the late battle, to an office
who came to his assistance. Indifferent to has
own sufferings, he seemed to be sohcItous alone.
for the success of the American arms-henct
he refused to detan a single officer from the
field of battle, even though his own life might
be sacrificed by declining assistance in las
wounded condition, lie was gallant and pa
trotic son of Maryland; and, in the few bnet
words above quoted, he has left a lesson Of
duty which should be deeply impressed, not
only upon the minds of those who are actively
engaged in the war, but upon all who are en-
poyed in public affairs. His injunction TO the
friendly officer was, "you have work to do: 90
ahead" Happy would it be for the country,
if all persons engaged in its service would ad-
here to this direction and ''go ahead with the
work which they have to do; but, unfortunate
ly, all public officers are not influenced BY the
same pure, dlsinterested and patriotic feelings,
which controlled Major Ringgold If they
were, we should have less Of the petty and
contemplate partizan manouerving which 81
now practised-fewer intriguing and corrupt
office-seekers; and more truly American spirit
than now prevails. Each public man in his
particular sphere has "work 10 do" and If
governed by proper motives, will Ego ahead"
in the discharge Of his duty. But how few fol-
low this course. The member of Congress has
"work to do for the public benefit but toO
frequently, instead of going ahead in the plain
path Of duty, he consults nothing but his party .
Prejudices, or his own individual interests, and .
leaves the public welfare TO suffer, although .
elected and paid to attend to that alone. In
stead of doing the work which he was selected
to discharge, and which he Is sworn faithfully
to perform, he busies himself with devising
plans for the next presidential election, and in
measures for the aggrandzement
of himself and party. How different was the
of Major Ringgold-how striking
the example which he set to those who under
take to serve their country. His parting words
to the friendly officer who rendered him assis- I
lance, should be engraved on his tombstone, as
containing the most emphatic evidence which .
could be given ofhis patriotism. The wound /
ed and dying soldier, almost with his dying
breath, rejects the proffered assistance of
comrade, because it might deprive his country
Of the aid Of one individual in the battle which !
was then raging. How punny and contempt .
BILE do political trcksters appear, when con-
trasted with such men as Major Rnggold how
heartless the demagogue who would unneces-
sarly involve his country in war, in which
brave hearts must bleed, and the truly patriotic
men become victims. Where are the reckless
politicians of Congress who would war for ''the
whole of Oregon OF none;n and who prate
about handling England as "a helpless iniant?'
Are they now seen, sword in hand, assisting TO
repel an inferior foe from our SOIL and counting
honor at the lannon's mouth; No they brag
but do not perform; they kIndle the flame, and
thrust others forward to extinguish it: they talk
bravely of deeds of arms, but are careful to
keep out of the way of harm to themselves:
they raise the whirlwind, bat avoid the storm.
We would direct such men to the tomb Of
Major Ringgold, to learn lesson of patriot
SIN and ofdu.y.