The hydraulic press., 1861-03-09
suoRT-LIvED FAME.


Since the organization of the State Govern
'ment, we have had brilliant array of youthful
talent in our Legislature-men of bright promise,
in whom the hopes and expectations of admiring
friends were centered. But where are'fhey now !?
Not representative man of thernumber remains.
According to the progressive tendency of events,
the popularity which secured their election to
that body, and the talents which distinguished
them while there, should have expanded and
ripened-increased and eliminated to the zenith
of full-blown glory. Such has not been their
history. No record is left to commemorate
any lasting achievement of theirs for the good Of
posterity. The actors are forgotten, or if remem-
bcred, in most instances it is to have their names
associated with schemes of plunder, concocted
and enforced against the public treasury to graft
fly private avarice, or in obedience to infamous
party drill
The dictates of the heart more than the head,
were consulted. Social affipities proved stronger
than sense of public duty; local attachments
supervened to stife the demands of Statewide
policy; and thus, linking their destiny with the
ephemeral specialities of day, they ceased to
ence. Forgetful of all else but individual cases
rof friendship and blind devotion to party, the
one proved Scylla and the other the Charybds
in which their fortunes were wrecked. One
staked his popularity upon some chosen candi-
date for the United States Senate; another
advocated exclusively water-lot project third
exerted his energies for the procurement of an
inar Of
fourth traded off his influence to secure the pas
sage of some swindling relief bill fifth had
the interests of a page, porter or clerk IN tow,
and made his battle on that issue sixth tam
pered with the criminal laws, in order to throw
the shield of legislation around some public
offender; and so, all along down the galaxy of
shining lights, name after name has disappeared,
TILL not one is found who inspires sufficient con-
hdence to be chosen for popular leader
Not man has had the moral stamina to sus-
tain himself amid exciting events. Where the
talents were possessed, the courage and Judgment
were wanting. Each aspired to rise, but mistook
the means to accomplish the purposes of their
restless ambition. They saw only the sublimity
of the superstructure without considering the
process of attaining to its honors Dreams of
Congressional distinctions dwelt in the mind
OF the most illiterate pumpkin, and were equally
shared by the more gifted. But neither possess
sed that good sense which could plod and bide
ats time; that infexible integrity which could
resist temptation; that analytic power of mind,
guided and sustained by an enduring power,
xvh oh IL.
and discover the effect to be produced in their
application; that philosophy of character which
GOULD say no to friend, or yes to a foe. if the
public good required it; that foresight which
looks to the future rather than the present for
appreciation; and that incorruptable steadiness
of purpose which is essential not only to those
who would be esteemed and honored in the pres-
'ent, but who are striving to occupy a prominent
place in the annals of American statesmansb;n
Not man, we say, of this sterling kind, has sur
vlyed the universal oblivion which engulfs orr
California politicians.
fruitful cause of this effect has been the
Willingness of our young men to trade. In order
to secure the success of some favor;te me,s,,ro
OF their own, they pledge themselves in advance
10 support that of fellow-member. This en-
oarrasses their action and narrows the circle of
their influence. 1t not unfreauently BRINGS them
before the public as the champion of a great
wrong-which their judgment pronounces sucb
and their souls abhor-but which receives their
support to prevent their honor from being COM
promised, although it damns them in the vener,l
estimation forever afterwards.
These facts are instructive and admon;torv
Those who have just entered upon a legislative
career, would do well to ponder them. Party
1eaity Is milestone around the neck, when If
leads into the devious paths of sin-surrounded
by plots, corruption and treason. The chamn;on.
ship OF some speciality may lift man into prom
neice Iof the moment, but in proportion as its
features are Objectionable and oppressive. so will
De the obiIquy and execration that must attach
to Its defenders name. In other words he ,vba
outrages the sense of great majority of his con-
s'ituency to benefit the few, must fall. with the
weight of his public misdeeds ON top of him.
hon. N. e. MILLER.-A communication ap-
pears in to-day's paper signed "UNIoN," in
which the writer animadverts severely upon the
whose name heads this article. We dislike much
TO publish anything harsh against fellow-towns-
man whom personally we have always esteemed,
but on strict examination of his conduct If
seems to be entirely indefensible. He has aban-
doned his party and arrayed himself with traitors
to the Government. If their society is more
congenial to his tastes than that of his former
political associates, there let him remain.
Mr.. Miller, in the course he has adopted, NAV
not be aware that he has lost the confidence Of
every Union man in this community-and they
number nine-tenths of the entire population
but the street conversations proves such to be
the fact. 1t would not be very fattering to his
vanity to hear the hnndredth part of the spiteful
things which are said of him. He was elected
by plurality of less than twelve votes over his
Republican opponent, and received the support
of every Douglas man in the county, as well as
of large number of Republicans, who believed
l. II