Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-31
Office Hunting and Pursuits of
Industry.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin once said "Give
your son trade, and you do more for him
than by leaving him "A fortune" The Phil
adelphla Ledger, quoting this remark, and
recurring to the office seeking mama in This
country, says: Its one thing to give your
SON ID trade aud another thing to induce him
tn follow It, amidst the entlcenIents of par
tisan warfare, Dr. Franklins advice is no
doubt generally followed, for ii is stamped
on its face with good sense, aud carries to
every mind conviction OF its sound pracli
cal wisdom. But a pernicluus partisan sys-
TEN has grown up among us that seduces
men from the work bench or the counting
desk to the club room and the political head
quarters of conlendlng demagogues Men
are now enlisted for the baI!ol-box battle as
they are for the navy or army. Pay, re-
wards. and ratlons obtain as much in The
one as in the other"
We doubt whether DR.. Franklin's advice
is generally followed" If it were. there
would he fewer "flice-seekers We do not
believe thai many mechanics are to be found
among applicants Tor office. The business
at an lndu truus mechanic is worth too much
to be surrendered for beggarIy station un
der the government. His trade, too, never
forsakes him; It does not collapse every
four years it does not depend upon this or
that mans whlm or caprice. Consequent.
ly, mechanic who would give up the frul s
OF d long training for transient chance at
one OF the miserable offices Of the govern.
nent, must be a very short-sghied or Igno.
rant man. We do not believe there are
many applicants for uflica favor from the
working classes
There are no men in the world more in.
dependent than men with trades or farmers.
The world Cannot get on without their art
aud labor. I hey know that, with the bles-
sIngs ct Heaven, their strong right hands
Will command comfortable food, cIothug,
and shelter for themselves and those they
love. They know that. by patience, perse-
verance, aud prudence, they can amass
something for sickness, FIR old age, aud for
their children; though their own success
IN lle will teach them that the best inheri-
lance a child can receive from his father is a
good trade, aud the same laborlous and eco.
nomlcal habits which have provided for the
fathers wants. Now, the idea of a man
thus situated seeking Office is rich! Do
you think that hardy sou of toni could part
with his independence, even if he were dl.
OF enough to part with the steady rewards
OF his industry He who, while it is his
duty to be courteous aud kind to all, is un.
der no obligation to bend his knee TO any
man; who has neither The disposition nor
the motive to be sycophantic; who has but
to 60 Iorth to his daily work and receive his
daily recompense --he is freeman and a
souertign! What asrant folly, for such a
man t. cast away his liberty and make him.
self a slave; to 60 bowing, and begging,
and petltiouing Secretaries for the crumbs
that fall from their tables; or to hold any
office in which. whatever might be the re.
ward, his soul cnud not breathe freely, and
the support of himself and family depend
upnn the smiles or frowns of some upstar,
official. who might require from him an ori.
entail servlluy of heart and manner. in ad.
dnl,n to the faithful discharge of his official
duties