Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-20
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
From the ST. Louis Union1
The new Governors of Pennsylvania and CAL
A SHORT SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY.

2 OONCAhOAo VI inns
ifornia.
a SHORT SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY.
The Pennsylvania election returns give to William
Bigler between eight and nine thousand majority over
his competitor, Johnston, tie present Wing Governor
and the arrival Of the Cherokee, at New York, on No
vember Is, with San Francisco dates TO October LIST,
places the election of John Bigler beyond any doubt.
His majority is stated to be about 200. Our readers,
we suppose, are all aware that John Bigler is the broth
er 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 Dem.
ocracy-both on account of party success and the intrins-
ic merit OF the two gentlemanly brothers, who have sue
ceeded, by democratic votes, to the honor Of Chief Mag
istrate Of their respective States. Perhaps, had the
Democratic party looked 10 mere talent alone, other
men might have been selected to grace these distinguish
ed offices to some greater extent, bt nowhere could be
found two men better qualified for their post by their IN
bending integrity Of character, united with their natural
talent and great practical experience in life. In all the
relations of life these brothers have proved themselves
meritOri0us. and not the least Of their good qualities is
that Of their steadfast and devoted love for Democratic
principles.
But connected with the history Of these brothers, both
rs yet young men, our naind Involuntary recurs to some
"reminiscences Of scenes associated with our early days,
with which these brothers were intermlngled. We be-
leve II was in the year 1923, in the city of Pittsburgh.
when we were an apprentice TO the printing business in
the Office Of John Mcfarland, Gan enthusiastic Demo
GRAFT, who first started Gen. Jackson for the Presidency }
that a poor, ragged, lorlorn looking hoy, OF about lonr-
teen years Of are, was taken IN more from PITY tiah
ANYTHING else. 10 learn the printing trade. Ills brother,
if we recOIlect right. soon after arrived in Pittsburgh,
equally destitute. and, we believe, also got employment,
IN some humble capacity, about the same printing oilce.
Two more destitute boys could hardly be picked up any
where. But although poor and fricndless, they were
upright and Industrious. They leaned the art ant mys-
terry Of the printing trade. Jnhl Bigler. when Of age,
remained in Pittsburgh. mostly engaged in following his
trade. For a time he edited and published the Pitts
burgh Morning Post. and the Weekly Manufacturer, a
paper started by ourselfin 1923, making. however, but
little money out Of the e ~terprise.
He afterwards was engaged in n small country paper
in the State Of Illinois, with even less success; and final
ly. quite penniless, he. as a fnrlorn hope, emiGrated to
California in 1913. His brother William. when arrived
at manhood, took another course. wholly different, 20 get
along ia the world. HARDY and industrious, he turned
his attention TO the lumber business, and from the small
est imaginable beginning in the world, he soon rose in
his rough profession 10 be one Of the leading lnmher aud
raftsmen Of the Sus1uehanna river. Perhaps in the same
employment he also learned a useful less1n in politics
(n which matter he is now considered an adept, by some
people, as any man. good at constructing a ra t. guid-
ing or foaring IL always. of course, with the current.
will %intutivelv catch a lesson that this is the secret also Of
controlling mankind. The polifician-he will begin to
Teason-from his vocation must always float bis boat with
ply guiding It in the smooth and deep channel Of %populari-
"; always careful TO avoid those dangerous political
questions that form the snags. sandhars and rocks upon
which his vessel may perish, If unSkillfully driven against
them. At all events. without regard to orr rongh met
aphOr, William Bigler is now Governor Of Pennsylvania
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 in the
circumstances Of their rapid rise to enviable distinction
so much as to the still more meritoriOus fact, that they
owe their elevation to their unaided exertions. No
wealthy or it'll d relations-no official influences or pow
erlnl friends, carried them forward despite Of themselves
into public distinction. To their own strong and undaun-
ted hearts that quailed before no obstacle-to their own
clear minds and good judgment, and 10 their willing
hands that never shraak from honorable labor-do they
owe all their present elevation in the world. a useful
lesson truly, TO those who would desire to rely through
life upon their own efforts
Our short episode in regard to the history Of these
brothers, now the Governors, by the votes of the people
OF two SUCH mighty States as PENNSYLVANIA and CalilOr-
MA, would not have occurred or impressed itself upon
our mind, If we had not an idea that in the history of the
two Biglers, volumes of Encouragement TO the young
men Of the present day could be found. After knowing
their history, a young man Of the present day, in any
part of these United States, however poor or friendless
be NAV be, should not despair in attempting to reach
anything on which he places his ambition and his hopes.
Upright and laudable exertion, untiring energy and per-
severance, may reasonably expect in this free country,
where the rights Of all men are on an equality, to accom-
Plsh anything within the range Of human possibility.
Nor need miSiortunes for a time deter or repreSs the man
Of genius and ambition, in his attempts at progress; hut
rather stimulate him TO renewed exer;ions, for these very
mIsoTtunes once surmOunted act as real benefits in
guarding the man Of wisdom and watchlulness against
like occurrences as far as in him lies for the future.
We will be more than repaid for this short sketch OF
the Messrs. BIglers, If the outlines Of their history, thus
given. shoald stimulate a single enterprising youth among
our readers, 20 emulate their rise and progress in life.
All young men, IL is true, cannot meet the same distin-
guished success, but We venture to say. that not single
one will ever make the effort to deserve il, without a full
for his exertions in one way or another.