Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-30
FROM THE RICHMOND REPUBLICAN,.
THE True OBJECT OF AMBITION.

! THE facility with which men pass from the
stage Of public affairs in this country and are
forgotten affords an instructive commentary
upon the folly of that eager pursuit OF office
which prevails so generally throughout the
land. Think of the comparative obscunty OF
some of those who have filled the highest Of
fee in the peoples gift! What a Notifying
contrast between their past and present posi-
ton AT one time living in regal splendor,
tie head Of giant republic, the eyes Of the
world upon them. surrounded by crowds of
busy 6aiieiers their names upon every tongue,
their plans and intentions the subject of uni
yersal curiosity and now what change
converted from powerful Presidents into OBJ
i cure country gentlemen rolled in moment
from the top TO the bottom of the hill which
they had spent their whole life in ascending I!
laid out in state, in splendid mausoleom OF
dignihed retirement, while the world forget
ting that they have ever existed, thinks only
OF their successors upon the busy scene of ac-
ton
! How little is thought or said now of MARTIN
| VAN buren,, name once as familiar as a
household word Who ever hears of Mr..
TYLER. although he but as yesterday descen-
ded from the throne2 What mortal man will
care the value of a straw for ]. X. Polk, when
sic shades of Duck River.
These facts shew that the mere possession
ofofiice, even if ii be the highest in the land,
can never lay the foundation Of a solid and en-
during fame. Ii must be the man himself
who makes his name immortal; there must be
about his talents or his character extraordinary
merit or power, and then, and then only will
he leave an impress upon the public mind
which the current of time can never efface-
Thus, we have Chief Magistrates, whose ele-
walton TO the Executive Chair added not one
cublt 10 their statures, and, with whom oflici
al station was but robe upon the shoulders Of
giant WASHINGTON. JEFFERSON and MAD
IsoN viii be remembered as long as the Repub-
lie lasts. not as Presidents alone, but as Illus
trous statesmen and patriots, who reflected
glory upon the sphere of action which they
consented for the sake Of their country TO oc-
| cupy. The shooting meteors of party, which
for moment occupy high places in the poit-
ical armament may fall and be seen no more ;
but these fixed stars will remain, burning on
in all their original brightness till the end of
time.
| five leave the list of those who have occu-
pied the chief posts Of power, we shall find
still farther proof that the possession of office
IS not necessary 10 permanent and exalted
reputation. Look at such men as HENRY
CLAY, and we are willing 10 leave it to the
decision of every candid democrat in the land,
whether four years at the White House could
add one inch to that colossal fame which has
cast its gigantic shadows over the world -
Look at DANIEL. WEBSTER or at JOHN
c. CALHOUN, and what human being of
ordinary sense can doubt that they will live in
the memory Of admiring millions, when it is
forgotten that such a person as President Polk
ever breathed the breath of lfe2 Posterty
will gaze upon them, as we do upon the great
statesmen and orators of antiquity, drinking
with profound delight the deep and sparkling
fountain OF their eloquence and power, and
never feeling for moment the slightest inter
est whether they held or were deprived of Off
cia) station.
Surely these truths ought TO check the mad
Ress of that ambition which wastes its life and
energy in the pursuit of Office, and makes the
Presidency with our political aspirants anoth-
er name for immortality. No class of our
people seem exempt from this destructive ma
MIA. The infection is caught in childhood,
and nursed in school. as well ii may, when
parents or teachers, delighted at some proof of
ceverneSs in a precocious banuing, are often
heard 10 predict the elevation of the prodigy,
opfliI ItiiOA- " hic leSiONNSE vi TUG
United States Just as if that was the crown
ing point Of all human greatness aud felicity
Would it not be better to inspire the minds Of
our youthful countrymen with desire to de-
serve as well as obtain, the honors which are
supposed to accompany exalted rank to teach
them that the only true foundation of lasting
fame is great excellence both in the intellec-
tual and moral character, and that mere office,
no matter how elevated, is badge of degrade
ton, dishonesty and eternal shame, when OBJ
tanned by the low intrigues of partisans, or,
upon any other ground than the peculiar fit
ness Of the recipient for the sacred trust which
has been placed in his hands2 Could such
sentiments pervade the public mind, the puri-
ty of our institutions would be preserved, and
a race of statesmen restored to our councils
equal TO those who adorned and dignifed the
early history of the Republic.
ROMANCE IN REAL LIrE.-A strange cir
fcrprrad the ,fNoroi,,rr to awe.