The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-15
y EDITOR or rIE NA7YoNAL nIiG.
punLIc sERyANTs.

That the citizen in private life, who BY his domestic
conduct demonstrated his capacity for selfgovern.
ment, exercises the only sovereign power recognised
in republican government, no American, at all Ia
niliar with the obligations incurred by successful
struggle for place, OF the hnmaiions entaile' in the
pursuit q Office, will for moment gainsay,
Nor can IL be objected 10 the soundn s. oil tn ge-
cral truth, that the honor conferred by place compen.
safes for the exae,ions oil power This i almost al
ways attended by the sacrifice OF true Independence,
f not selErespcct
A principle, universally acknowledged by the can,
did, and maxim Of English common law, that 9Th,
tight to govern emanates directly from Inc will Of s
governed ? is conclusive Of the proposition that the
occupants Of Office are the servants Of the people
This truth will always be recognised by those who
are IL TO govern, and should always be an abiding
conseisuaness in the memory ol the civil officer,
Qualifications Of Public Ssrsants.
All industrial pursuits require an apprenticeship,
and liberal profession much study, and an examine.
ton ol candidates prior 10 the assumption of their
vera responsible duties to Themselves and their fellow
men.
The mere politician alone Is exempt from all the
prerequisite, bni mpudence, political influence;
which, Se the caption OF some useless pyramid, is
often supported by corrupt snbsrnctnre, to oyerawe
the Ignorant iascnate the lovers OF the marvellous.
IN popular government, ascsrtained popularity
must remain prominent element ei fitness for Office
Strictly considered, however, popularity should be
bnt one al The ,iisdiis Of obtaining offer,
Private worth, unobtnsiye talent and social intsg-
rity, ~ yaiue 10 his country Than the popu-
latityui the individual, however much he may prize
its possession as 10 himself.
Every public servant should possesa The requisite
qualifications, in an eminent degree, peculiar TO the
nain,e Of his pblc rust superaddcd 10 the other vir-
tics. Ii would he absurd TO select, as secretary
person who could not write for want oil hands, al
though he were " gentleman and schoar.''
Iioir 10 ascertain, beforehand The qualifications ~
public servants.
There II no modern Lycnrgus, who, in Spartan-like
seldenal, Is prepared 10 retire.to the solitude OF con-
temptations in the midst Of successful political life.
But, like Caesar, there many republicans who
would like an enduring g image and snperscription,n
10 denote their perennial power we'll honor, and
who would have themselves passed from hand 10 hand,
proud 10 link they were graced by Roman penny.
But fortunately, there is now at the head OF the Adj
nlinstraiion fit successor q him, who forbid his i'm
age to become sign Of the circulating medium Of
grateful people; who would not, IL he could, for,
get the fountain whence Cows the stream Of power in
which he bathes.
1t is extremely diicnt, however, for any one man,
any set Of men, however honest in purpose, TO act
mpartiay, while the necessity for action is pressing
from without by the force Of combinations, with utter
or views cqucs for present, individual prot or lac
TONS prepared 10 sacrifice right to mght---al, pro-
verbally unreliable.
II Is also utterly impossible that under any auspices
the President, the members Of the Cabinet, can
ktotc every Individual OF the nation, who urges him
self or is urged by his q friends" suitable person
for this or that g oilice.'
commonplace, personal presentation, is accessible
10 all; letters of introduction abundant the
demand Tor them; and those Of Recommendation, too
often nconsderately written the sincere and true
have ceased TO be valuable, account oil the washy
and the spurious,
Committees of private citizens, or worse, II idle
members Of common councils are but so many expert
mental balloons, which either burst because over
charged with, or collapse for want Of gas!
The boasted mission Of the private Citizen" pol
ued in its peaceful course, by the passage oil some