Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-07-05
Omce-Seeking.

The lust for office is the bane of our institutions.
very large proportion of our free and independent CT
tzens are infected with crazy longing to hold Office OF
some sort. The enjoyment OF every day life is not to
their tastes and the peaceful pursuits Of industry do not
please them they turn from all such in disgust to mill
gle in the exciting strife of party warfare hoping
thereby to attain the object of their amb
ton, political pIeerment. This mania luns through all
classes in society," Some aspire to the Presidency others
are content to WELD the baton of Ward constable but
Office OF kind, with its privileges, its responsible
ties and its emolumens, they all want. In some parts
of the country, oceeekng has come to be recognized
regular profession and devote their whole lives
to it with much energy and earnesness as they WOULD
should to any honest industrial pursuit. Our large
cities swarm with Just such drones and smaller
are by no means free from them The business is much
like gold digging, and does not excel it in profF. The
toll is greatthe reward slender The many labor while
the few only get good prizes.
There are, doubtless hundreds Of men living who
the hope of some day filling the Presidential chair
and the number who aspire to Gubernatoral seats and
offices of lesser dignity passes calculation Of these
only few will attain to the goal of their ambiton-the
rest will end their days in disappointment and disgrace
The country is full of broken down politicians who
no less burden to themselves than pest to their
friends, and stigma on the age.
This is wrong and ought to be reformed. Thousands
OF men who might have been useful members OF society,
have been ruined 10 this mad scramble for office Par
ents much to blame for such state OF affairs
Ouulen al an early age are taught the worse IMAM OO-
sh lesson that the highest honors in this Republic
open to all who will contend for them and many led
to believe that they OF all others destined to enjoy
them. 1t would be wiser to teach them that industry
has many fields in which just ambition may have wide
scope and lofty aims The knowledge Of free compe
ton for political honors to them early enough
III life without teacher it would be better for many
if it to them at ALL The youth who believes
he was born to he President in acquiring his political
training receives 1t in school not tue best suited
Tor the improvement OF his morals lie will be fortunate
he does not acquire habits which will disgrace him
after life, and if he does learn lock upon honest
Industry with disgust and upon those who content
to pursue It's CaDgs III quiet way, persons wanting
III spirit and energy. Such education while it units
him for the ordinary aTocatOns Of life, unfortunately
does not qualify him in any extraordinary degree either
for the holding Of Office. And yet from this class it
unluckIy happens too many OF office bclders are
chosen,
1t has yet to be learned by many, that success in lite
does not consist alone in elevation to Office, and in the
possession Of political hOnors True success and true
happiness, consist rather in filling worthy appro
pirate and useful sphere, wherein acts while advan
cling ourselves may likewise be of benefit to those about
US All of US not born statesmen, though the
oil US think But all of u.s. If we will may make
ourselves useful in day and generation The men
best qualified to hold office to be found among those
who do not pursue it, and not among professional poll
clans who have cormorant appetite for everything
hat comes In their way Tlrglntu Inder.