The Empire County argus., 1856-09-06
Good Men for Office.


The above has for year past been standing
head in the papers of the State. 1t has been so
hackneyed that we are almost ashamed to make use
Of it-but that's the subject we have in mind, and
GOOD men for Office" it is. Now, il" In the first
place sixteenthly," as Eph Horn says, we must de-
eide what is the meaning of our text. A plenty of
good men may be found in every county of the State,
to fill every official station. Parties have heretofore
intuitvey conormed to the requirements of text,
and it's rather strange that there should be such
cIanfof just at this time The Democracy have al
ways supported good men for Office. The Broderck-
ties are proverbally in favor of good men for Of
ice-men who hit from the shoulder, and who if you
question their being "good men" will tell yez to
stand forninst them. The Chivalry democrats are
mighty particular too, to support for office good
men'-sharp shots-who can silence an Irish waiter
or a missionary, or an Abolition Congressman, at the
drop of a hat. Good men, all-and they've run for
Office and been elected.
Last year the Knownothings raised cry of Good
men for office!" The State was ransacked and
sufficient number of innocent chaps corraled to fill
out the State and the several county and district
tickets of men whose private characters were without
stan-good men. One legislative candidate was ac-
cused of stealing cattle but he proved himself inno-
cent, and there was no harm done-sive that IN a
skrimmage growing out of the matter Chvalry
Sheriff shot candidates brother but that's neither
here nor there-the "good men were triumphntly
elected and entered on their duties under the most
propitious circumstances imaginable They proved
a funny set. They have since been fighting each
other on all manner of small issues. Of those who
went to the Legislature, many turned ont badly.
Some were bought, and some didn't know what they
ought to do, nor how to do it if they had. They
went honestly through slightly prolonged session,
only one Honorable Member shot. and he, we are
happy to say, recovered. They did some good work,
and adjourned. They didn't give the party more than
about halEa-dozen licks ahead, during the winter.
And then were good men - some of them were
Just the men for the time and place: and these saved
the reputation of the body.
The American party is again in the field. 1t has
done something considerable for the State, in dis
placing the old regime which had 81 long rioted on
the peoples money. And now that we have the lamp
of one years experience by which to be guided in
the selection of candidates for the Legislature, it
should be borne in mind that Good men for Office "
does not mean simply men of good character as cit-
zens II means mn of sterling worth and who have
mind, and nerve: men who know their duty-and
how to do it: men who understand their oath Of
Office and how to keep it sacred. With such men for
our candidates. we will sweep the State more tri
umphantly than we did last year. With any Others
we will be on an equality, in respect of merit, with
the Unterrifed,' and must take pot luck with them
in the contest 1t is desirable that we give wide
berth to professional politicians but if there be two
things to be pitied and to be despised, they arc-a
man who doesn't know how to do right when he
wants to, AMI party which supports him for
Office.