Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-11-10
PLYMOUTH, FRIDAY, NOV. 10, 1854
Office Hunting.

shO "Niiui ShS oNiui'l Nha WHICH OLnceS
are sought for in this country, and what
multitudes of men strive yearly for place.
An English tourist once said that the
American people were divided into two
classes-officials, and those who would be
but couldn't. He probably had attended
few of our conventions, and from their
workings, got this only triae exaggera-
ted impression. Thousands and thous-
ands OF men, possessing all the requisites
necessary to make good citizens, throw
themselves away upon petty offices, the
profits of which are nothing, and the hon
ors less than the profits. Tens of thous-
ands more waste a lifetime in the pursuit,
with no possibility of ever getting any
thing, when they might have made good
hviRgs, and accumulated fortunes on their
farms or in their workshops, besides the
advantage of having the name of honest.
decent, respectable men, instead of that
of small potato politicians.
What is the cause of it? In no coun-
try in the world, is there such a demand
for labor labor of all kinds from the
'quih down to the grubbing- hoe. Wide
territories are being settled, and more Ia
Dor is needed to develop their wealth. Ev-
cry kind Of mechanical Industry is con.
stantly increasing, and the artisan need
never be out of employment, on the con-
trary is sought for, and the most remun-
erative wages offered for his services. 1t
seems strange under such circumstan-
ees that there should be such countless
number of aspirants for place. A law
yer who makes $1,000 per day in the
practice of his profession, scrambles, ma
neuvres, twists and turns, for the privilege
of laboring for the State, as legislator
for S4,OO, and expends more than his en-
tire salary to secure the election. A me-
chanic who by attending to his legitimate
business can make $1,000 per annum, will
spend years, laboring for party, with the
hope that some day or other, they may re-
ward his devotion with some petty place.
Suppose even, that the salary was large
enough to pay a man that had anything
else to do, for the trouble of getting an
office, we don't know he is to get back the
character he must lose in the operation.
A candidate must be villifed, slandered
and abused by his opponents, his short
comings, however triAing, exaggerated
and repeated, his private character held
up to the public gaze, and all the little
holes in it made large enough to drive a
cart through. snooks was supposed to
be man of good character until in an
unlucky ho3r, he consented to run for
Justice of the Peace. 1t was then discov-
cred that he was in the habit of beating
his wife, daily, and that he kept bottle
Of gin in his house, and several in his
shop and barn. The fact that he is Pres
ident Of a Temperance Society, and has,
for the last five years, circulated Temper
ance Tracts goes for nothing. Gen. Scott
had the reputation of being whole -souled,
minded, honorable man, and the
most brilliant soldier in all Christendom,
until he entered in scrub-race for the
Presidency. 1t was then made known
that he was vain, self-conceited, fussy
old fellow, without talent of any kind
and that the credit he got for the campaign
in Mexico, justly belonged to Worth and
Wool. Pierce, too, was a much respect
cd attorney, who had "done the state some
SERVICE" as B,igadier- General; scarce
fy was he put in nomination, than it was
proved, satisfactorily, to his opponents at
least, that he was an idiot, a dolt, COW,
ard and ninny. How men can consent to
put themselves in positions to be so un-
mercifully belaborod and abused, we CAM
exactly see, when all they get for it, in
case they succeed, is four years of unlim'
tied abuse, and slavish labor, hardened
consciences, open kicks of avowed enc.
mics and secret stabs of disappointed
friends, and the sum of 100000; one.
half of which was expended to get the
scat, and the other half to make it cndur.
able. We should think twice before &C.
ceptipg tas Presidency, as long as dollar
day can be made saving wood.
Tho whole system needs reforming
Men who have so far lost their self-respec
as to become office-seekers, should be re-
buked. The people should choose thei
servants, for such stations, as they d.
for other positions, by their fitness. Sci
dom, If ever is the man,who seeks an of
fee, capable Of discharging its duties
and being in the wrong sphere, cuts very
awkward figure. Let the place seek th'
man, not the man the place. If this rul
had been followed, more shoe-benches
l. &c l.