North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13
From the st. Louis Union.l
WILLIAM BIGLER AND JOHN BIGLER.
A SHORT sKETCH or THEIR HISTORY.


i A SHORT SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY.
The Pennsylvania election returns give to Will
liam Bigler between eight and nine thousand ma
liority over his competitor, johnson, the present
Wing Governor; and the arrival of the Cherokee
at New York, on November lst, with San Fran
cisco dates to October 1st, places the election Of
John Bigler beyond any doubt His majority is
stated to be about 1900. Our readers, we sup
pose, are all aware that John Biger is the brother
of William Bigler just elected as the Governor OF
Pennsylvania. All things considered, something Of
a coincidence.
This result must be cheering to every friend to
Democracy-both account of party success and
the intrinsic merit of the two gentlemanly brothers,
who have succeeded, by democratic votes, to the
honor of Chief Magistrate of their respective States.
Perhaps, had the Democratic party looked to mere
talent alone, other might have been selected to
grace these distinguished offices to some great ex-
! tent, but nowhere could be found two men better
qualified for their posts by their unbending integr-
ty of character, united with their natural talent
and great practical experience in life. In all the
relations of life these brothers have proved them
selves mertorious, and not the least of their good
qualities is that of their steadast and devoted love
for Democratic principles.
But connected with the history of these broth
ers, both yet young men, our mind invountarily
recurs to some "reminiscences of scenes associated
with our early days, with which these brothers
were intermingled. We believe it was in the year
1928, in the city of Pittsburgh, when we were an
apprentice to the printing business in the Office Of
John Mcfarland, ian enthusiastic Democrat, who
first started Gen. Jackson for the Presidency that
poor ragged, forlorn looking boy, of about four
teen years of age, was taken in, more from pity
than anything else, to learn the printing trade His
brother, if we recollect Alright after arrived in
Pittsburgh, equally destitute and, we believe, also
got employment, in some humble capacity, about
the same printing office. Two more destitute boys
could hardly be picked up anywhere. But al
though poor and friendless, they uprig ht and
industrious. They learned the art and mystery of
the printing trade. John Bigler, when of age, re-
manned in Pittsburgh. mostly engaged in following
his trade. For time he edited and published the
Pittsburgh Morning Post, and the Weekly Manu-
facturer paper started by ourself in 1928. making
however, but little money out of the enterprise
He was afterwards engaged in a small country
paper in the State of Illinois, with less success
and finally, quite penniless he, as forlorn hope,
emigrated to California in 1S48. His brother
William when arrived at manhood, took another
course, wholly different to get along in the world
Hardy and industrious, he turned his attention to
the lumber business, and from the smallest ima9in
nable beginning in the world, he soon rose in his
rough profession to be one of the leading lumber
and raftsmen of the Susquehanna river. Perhaps
in the same employment he also learned a useful
lesson in politics Tin which matter he is now con-
sidered an adept, by some people) as any man,
good at constructing raft, guiding or floating it
always of course, with the current will intuitivey
catch lesson that this is the secret also of control
ling mankind. The politician-he will begin to
his vocation must always float his
boat with the current, daring to oppose or
buffet it, but simply guiding it in the smooth and
deep channel of popularity always careful to avoid
those dangerous political questions that form the
snags, sandbars and rocks upon which his vessel
may perish, if unskilfully driven against them. AT
all events, without regard to our rough metaphor,
William Bigler is now Governor of Pennsy lvania,
The second greatest State in the Union and his
BROTHER John Bigler, at the same time is the first
Governor of California elected by the people. The
guardian of all our mighty interests on the distant
shores of the Pacific ocean.
The chief merit of these brothers lies not alone
n the circumstance of their rapid rise to enyiable
distinction so much as to the still more ritorious
act that they owe their elevation to their unaided
sxertions. No wealthy or titled relationship Off
,ial influences powerful friends, carried them for
ward in despite of themselves into public distinc
ion. To their own strong and undauuted hearts
hat quailed before obstacle-to their own clear
minds and good judgment, and to their willing {
hands that never shrank from honorable labor-do 2
hey all their present elevation in the world.
useful lesson truly to those who would desire to
ely through life upon their own efforts.
Our short episode in regard to the history of
hese brothers now the Governors by the votes of
he people of two such mighty States as Pennsyl-
,ania and California would not have occurred or a
impressed itself upon our mind, if we had not an }
1ea that in the history ofthe two Bglers, volumes
f encourag Iment to tie young men the present
lay could be found. Afntes knowing their history,
young man ofthe present day. in any part OF these
United States, however poor or frendless he may 4
e, should not despair in attempting to reach any
hing, on which he places his ambition and his r
opes. Upright and laudable exertion, untring
nergy and perseverance, may reasonably expect in
his free country, where the rights of all men are
an equality, to accomplish anything within the 81
ange of human possibility. Nor need misfortunes IL
,r time deter or repress the of genius and e.
mbtion, in his attempts at progress; but rather
Emulate him to renewed exertions, for these very h
lisfortunes once surmounted act real benefits in
harding the man of wisdom and watchfulness
gainst like occurrences as far as in him lies for the
lture. IT
We will be more than repaid for this short sketch
the Messrs Bigler+ if the outlines of their his <
'ry, thus given should stimulate single enterpr
ng youth among our readers, to emulate their m
Sc and progress in life All young men, it is Ct
lie, cannot meet the same distinguished success,
ut we venture to say, that not single one will !
yer make the effort to deserve it, without full
compense for his exertions in one way or another.
He who betrays another's secrets because he has II
uarreled with him, was never worthy the sacred LII
anne of friend breach of kindness on ono side
g. IS h.