The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-07-24
1851. WHOLE NUMBER 5l4.
PUBLIC LIFE-LEssoN TO YOUNG MEN.

PUBLIC LIFE LESSON TO YOUNG MEN.
The distinguished Virginia statesman,
Hon. John Minor Bolts, is member OF Inc
Constitutional Convention OF his nat've
State; and on the floor Of that body, lately
made the following remarks on the emPti-
ness Of political preferment. The passa
ges are the best we have ever seen from
The speeches Of the eloquent and fearless
Botts:
"public lie has lost its charms tor me,
and there is but one consideration that IN
duced ME to occupy the position which 90
At present before the people Of this district:
Why should man desire public life!
can say with truth, that never have spent
a day in public life that did not pay dear
|ly-dearly for it--not only by my labor
AMI by my anxiety TO serve my constftu-
ents and my country, but from the depri-
vation of the peace and tranquility that
are the attributes Of my nature. know
that am thought by the world at lnrgc
never to be satisfied unless an, in hot wa
ter, but prefer the cold most decidedly.
Laughter.l No sir, that is not my nature.
And then when you como to consider, not
only what public man pays for his station
by cares and anxieties and the Jealousies
aud prejudices, the envy, jealousy, hatreds
malice aud all uncharitableness TO which
he is exposed, no man who has had the ex-
pcriencc 10 public life that have had, can
without a vi,iated taste, in N.Y. opinion,
have any strong desire for il. And what
does he gain BY il? Are the most faithful,
the most wise and the most virtuous ofpub-
lie men, the men who generally receive
the rewards of their virtue and fidelity!
Look over yonder to Boston and there you
will witness an occurrence, which, in point
Of gratitude, has fallen to the lot Of moro
than one distinguished public man.
"What do you see? After long, labo-
rious, faithful and active life, spent 10 the
service Of that people, shedding lustre
and renown upon bis State, that no other
Of his day could bestow upon it, a man who
was but yesterday the idol Of his people, is
actually shut out Of the cradle OF liberty
and not permitted to address his own tei-
low. citizens in Fancuil Hall! And yet
when that dastardly, miserable miscreant,
that foreign inierloper and mischief-msker
who ought 10 be subjected TO that summa-
ry law that am informed is very efficient
now in Caliiornia-Q beg pardon as pub
lie man and representative Of the people,
for being betrayed into the expression Of
single sentiment that would give countc-
nance TO the law called Lynch law, though
in his case | should not regret to sec it ex-
ercised, and cannot help saying so)--that
mischievous and intermeddling ahoiitionist,
George Thompson, had the doors Of that
hall thrown open to him for his reception
and subsequent use. Yet they are closed
to Daniel Webster!
81 have no wish, no desire for public life.
and let me in justice to myself disabuse the
mind of any gentleman here who have sus-
pected that was in the slightest degree
influenced in any position ] have taken,
by any consideration Of personal reward.
/ say again that should be happy, if I
could be instrumental in settling this ques-
tion harmoniously aud satisfactorily, to re-
tire to the shades OF private life for the bal
ancc Of my existence