Smyrna times., 1857-07-22
Office Seeking.

cry, have been absorbing topics of the philan
thropist, poet and orator, but there is one grea
source of human suffering-a compound of al
most all other evils-which has received bu
little attention commensurate with its fearful
and direful infatuation. We allude to the
miseries of ofice-seeking,-not that of menta
misery or disappointed ambition, or the loss Of
political influence, but the stern reality of de.
clnng health, sacrifice of fortune, and i'll effects
upon the morals and character of aspirants.-
Where one man is benefited by public office
pecunlarily land that is nearly the only benefit
sOught), twenty are the losers. In fact, the
successful candidate is scarcely benefited even
in this our day, such are the previous outays
for votes and other purposes that the Office, in
the end, proves a dear bargain. Business is
sacrificed, health disregarded, home forsaksn,
and that habit more fearful in its consequences
Than any other-dram-dr m-drinking-contracted to
the detriment of himself and happiness of fami-
ly and friends. But upon the moral or religious
character are the evils of office and eeice-seek.
ing more to be deprecated. Once lei an indi-
vldual be seized with a desire for Office, and he
b'gins to make excuses for this and that party's
attack on right principles, enters into all the
tricks aud drudgery of scheming politicians
(Which he is compelled 10 do or forfeit his claims
upon his party, and may finally, by such means,
succeed 10 obtaining the wish of his heart
What theni Ten chances to one, before his
term Of Official duty expires he ceases to regard
moral obligations, or christian principles; has
lost the ties of domestic affection, and become
totally different man. Nor is this all,--such
are the effects of Office that the occupants are
NEST always untitled for simple business trans
actions. A gentleman not long since. in con-
versing upon this subject. said be had brother |
ruined for life by being elected Inspector an |
early age,-not so much on account of being |
elected, but the evil habits contracted by i'm !
proper association consequent upon such elec- |
ton. The Boston Journal goes farther upon |
this question, and compares the victim of this
mania fer Office to that of gambling, and the
resemblance between this vice and office seek
ing is indeed much more striking than many
suppose. Both professions are resorted to with
finds himself the loser, he grows more reckless
continues doubling his stake until his reason is
clouded by frenzy, from which he awekes only
to find himself bankrupt of everything but re-
morse and despair. No one pities tine wretch
who has squandered his fortune at the gaming
table--no one pities the poor fool who has sacri-
feed everything at the altar of his political god.
1t may be urged that there are comparatively
few Sfhce-seekers who ever experience the per
feet bankruptcy we have described; but our
own observation proves that the number is much |
greater than is generally believed. Many con-
eeal their embarrassments by living upon bor-
rowed capital; others keep up the appearance
of respectability by means of fraud and ras-
cality some by accepting bribes; some by be-
coming scavengers for those whose race is not
yet run; thousands sink into obscuriiy and are
forgotten; few partially succeed, while not
one in thousand ever attains TO anything like |
perfect success. The chances of failure, n the |
wretched enterprise Of ofice.seekDg, are about |
equal to the chances of drawing blank in some
consolidated lottery scheme. Yet, with q full
knowledge of this fact before their eyes, young
men who are supposed to be perfectly sane upon
all other subjects, rush as it were blindfold into
the political arena, wasting all the better part
of life in the fruitless effort to acquire money |
and position through the medium of some gov.
ernment Office.
reason and their owa interests! Simply be-
cause they have not been rightly e1ucated.-I
Among the earliest impressions made upon the
hoy-miHd, is an idea of greatness as connected
sith Office holders. Before he can talk his
nurse tells him that he will some day be gov
ernor; his mother fondly embraces the notion
bis lather makes a speech in favor Of il /; his
teacher. as he advances in years, bribes him to
study with an assurance Of il; the schrol COM
mitlee poiua him 10 Clayton and TO Webster,
ptoykesyieg that he will some day take his seat
n the capsta among the distinguished men OF
the nstisa. Thus instructed, it is not strange
that his thoughts Of future greatness are per.
petoafiy associated with the idea of holding
same important oihce. Left to his own choice,
and HE declamations will be selected from the
speeChts ~ htsbneVisheu OmceshOiuesss Hts
compositions will have poliscal cast of char
ncier. and before be is Of age you will find him
taking an interest in the " dear people," labor
ing i.r the political elevation, and on days Of
elsciisa bnsy ladislrbuting votes. IL is sppli
cable TO very large number who early exhibit
signs Of being endowed with irihe more than
ordinary inteiligence. and that to this cause, IN
agfeat measure. i to be traced the fact that
OITicc-seekers and lawyers are /" six deep" all
oysr tic country.
cssxoS ScnooLs.-our correspondent has
mao,cs some questions IN regard 10 The free
schools. uhich are wellworih the consideration
ol ls..sl,rrs aud school commissioners.