The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-17
W00DSFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO AUGUST H. 1853.
A Good Word on Politics,

A Good Word on Politics.
b. H. Brewster, Esq, of Philadelphia,
delivered very able address before the
Literary Societies of Princeton College,
on Tuesday last, from which we take the
following extract with regard to the pur-
suit of politics. tits true and timely coun-
sci. and we hope sunk deep into the minds
Of his young listeners:
"The time was, in the early history Of
this country, when great men we're want
ed in public places to establish our insti-
tutions-good men are needed now in the
walks Of quiet life to strengthen them. All
the world over, the trade Of politician is
the occupation of gamester; it is the
business Of man whose time is spent in
envy and strife. Public stations can con-
fer no rank and bring no distinction to
men who run after them. All great pub
lie occasions command the men best fitted
for the necessities of the times. The en-
ergencies that excite great men to action
having passed by, tranquility having been
restored, order having been established,
new men-inferior men-men of doubtful
parts-succeed to their masters, and man.
age with ease, if not with skill, the vast
machine which wisdom created and indus
try set in motion. All history has afford
ed constant example of this-our history
may yet do so.
''Sir Robert Walpole in these latter
times, with mastery resolution. with a
power migh,ier than the storm, the power
that binds the storm-the calm-plucked
up the crown of England from the hedge
wherein contending factions had flung it,
established the Hanoverian succession,
suppressed conspiracy, quoted religious
discord, and secured that stability and
dignity to public affairs, and that repose
to private life, which nurtured the strength
of England, and gave her the power to
resist a world in arms. With inRexible
purpose he suppressed all attempts to en-
broil his country in a war, and for twenty
long years, as the first Minister Of the
Crown, governed his country with heroic
will. He was succeeded by inferior men,
but when the exigencies OF public life again
required man-the Pelhams gave way
for Pitt-as politicians and placemen in
this country must hereafter give way for
patriots and statesmen.
"The highest public distinctions in this
country can have no attraction for right
minded men, unless they are the unsoughi
rewards Of personal worth. dignity Of char
acter mental ability and blameless lite.
Obtained in any other way. they disgrace
those who hold them. They were intend
ed TO be great honors, not rich sinecures
The compensation attached to the best oI
them, will not equal the income that any
man can earn, who is fit to hold them and
discharge their duties.
"If men crawl to high places by craft
and low contrivance-if they hold them al
the cost OF all love of truth and practice
of heroic virtue-if they accept stations
which they are unequal to. from want oi
proper training-from want Of information
and want of mental capacity, and which
they hold like imposiors and usurpers
puffed up with vanity, and meanly greedy
for the pay Of the place--they are in 9
pillory. Such adventures and serving
men in their masters clothes, will be
laughed at and expelled with scorn by the
misguided people who exalted them to
power to establish an equality Of vulgari
ty, ostentation and wickedness. Let mo-
this be your fate.
"Thus far the great men Of this land
have with reluctance and humility, receiv
ed the dignities their countrymen have be.
slowed upon them.
"Washington and Jefferson, and Jack.
son, never stopped to solicit place, oil
accepted it as the result Of secret con
trivance.
"Let me warn you against the tempta
tions that beset you to embark in this bu
siness Of politics. A life well spent, ir
the steady pursuit of any calling, will yield
you better income, will give you an in
dependence Of position, and a manly dig
nifty of character, that no office can eve
secure for you. The small offices of I
country are always small places-and tn,
high ones must be filled by men of mark
for little men grow less in them, and dwin
die into pigmies. Before you will consen
to step out Of the respectable privacy o
your own calling TO take Office, be SUR
that you are not unworthy of the place, O
impelled by selfish motives-for TO th'
most worthy and upright, these stations
bring with them trials and griefs that tor
ture men to death. Oftentimes persons o
merit are swept to ruin in these high food
Of vulgar excitement, or are stained 70
life and their usefulness hurt by s.oopin,
to waive their rank, and be associated ii
those enterprises with mean, unprinciplet
men. The shores Of political life, in eve
ry country, are sirewn with wrecks lik
these, and many of them were rich ar
gosies.
"If you wish TO know what public fam
is remember that the long line Of Roman
consuls and Grecian magistrates is nov
forgotten, while Esop, a slave, Socrates
a mechanic, and Horace, the son Of
freeman, are immortal"
i @It is pleasant and healthful Gus
tom with the fair ladies of Staunton, Va.
to promenade daily on she plank wal
leading to the Deaf Mute Asylum. On
evening. some young ladies thus recres
ting, espied 'one ofthe boys very hand
some young fellow, sitting near the walk
fondling young hare, and holding it I