The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-03-28
Public Offices.

We do not know of any thing more amusing, for
an illnatured man, than to watch the manGuvres
of the ms and the outs upon change of admins
tration. The alterations of hope and fear, so
visible, on the countenances of the possessors and
expectants, are an unerring indication of the con-
slant turmoil within, which would excite compass
sion were it not at once recognized the offspring
of unmitigated selishness. The number of gentle
men, who are at all times willing to serve their
country for consideration, has long given assur-
ance that the public business would never be I'M
performed for the want of agents, such as they are
but the intense eagerness with which office il
sought, and the undying tenacity with which it is
retained not always sure evidence that the par
ties by whom they evinced, are tho best quail
fed for the posts they have or covet; and one is
not sure that the duties would be any the better
discharged because of the anxiety exhibited to as
sumo their responsibilities. We look upon the
professional cfice-holder, office seeker, as fair
game. We do not rejoice in his appointment, nor
sympathize in his removal. We do not care one
pin whether he is in or out. Politics with him is
a trade by which he makes his living-a result
which he probably could not attain by any other
honest occupation. The excitements of an cleo
tion evidences of patriotism in the mass of the peo-
pie, are to him but many msans of keeping or
gaining place. Party organizations, formed for
giving power TO opinion, to him the instruments
of his profession be used for his sole selfish ends
Destitute of any real principle, he is ever bitter
partisan, and has tolerance for his opponents in
the hour of his party's victory; no frmness, manli
ness or consistency of character in the day of its
defeat. He would trample the life out of pros
trate adversary if necessary to get his place. or he
lolr b.. bon1 he fact of hat T.
versary, if their positions were reversed, and he
in condition to feel the effects of the power which
he is ready wantonly to exercise. Your Office
monger is tyrant and slave. He will crouch to
his foes, or raduce and vlify his friends, either
may suit his purpose. Yet, from his activity, his
zeal, mis- apparent devotion to the public welfare,
the office-moDger exercises great influence upon po
litical organizations, and political contests; to his
active agency may be traced all the dirty tricks,
the receptions and the frauds of an election; from
the black reservoir of his malignity flows nearly
all the bitterness passion, and angry collisions of
contest Yet he has no higher motive than to
keep what he has or to get what he can. With
him country passes for nothing but a very good
source of profit; principle is but the pretence to
lead fools and party useful invention by which
he may command the aid of many dupes. The
office-monger never reasons about men or meas
ures-he always goes it blind )" he never listens
to the other sidefor what in the other side to him.
he has nothing to hope from it he can find no viz
tue in an opponent, but regards them all many
thieves who would steal his property trespassert
who keep him from his own. Yet with all his bit
terness Of feeling, all his violence of prejudice, it is
not an uncommon thing to see hm change sides,
be shall fellow well met with his former foes,
and curse with concentrated hatred his former
friends This change always occurs when circum-
stances have placed him for the time in hopeless
minority, or when his merits have not been appre-
ciated and rewarded by those whom he has en-
deavored TO use. He has, indeed, a salutary re-
spect for majorites, and great apparent love for
those who will return his services with favor.
But we find that we have been led into an essay
on an inexhaustible subject, when we only intended
to recommend to readers who love little spite
full fun to read the party newspapers, and see the
wailings of the office-holders who have begun to
cry before thsy fairly hurt; and the rejoicngs
in general and the chickering's in particular of the
office-seekeu, who are not quite certan yet what
they have gained. 1t is, a. we said before, fair
game, and there b plenty oft,