The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-01-30
EBENSRURG:
THURSDAY: Y:::::::::::::::::::J ANUARY 30.
UnhOIy Ambition.

ly denied, that there has been and is
very serious defect in the working OF our
social system. This must be manifest to
every intelligent person, who has given
the subject the least consideration. 1t
fails 10 extend the proper encouragement
to men who are really competent and wor-
thy of official positions and honor, and in
stead, it too frequently gives renown and
glory, as we'll as emolument and gain, to
those who are crafty, unprinclpled and
depraved. Every man possesses more or
less Of ambition with many it is Of an hon
orable cast, while with others it is quite
the reverse. When, therefore, the defect
mentioned shuts the door of Ambition
temple to the former classic those who
would be good, and true, and useful-and
opens it wide to the latter, it is not, after
all, so surprising, that reckless and un-
scrupulous men will take advantage of the
occasion, and in order that they may graf
ify an unholy ambition and acquire dis
tinction, will misuse their intelligence
and energies in stirring up strifes, In
shedding blood, in desolating fertile fields,
and in bringing discomfort and ruin upon
people who would otherwise be happy
and prosperous.
If, O few months since, the question
had been propounded-Who is JEFFER-
SON DAVIS? a great many would have
been able to answer that he was United
States Senator from Mississippi, and had
been engaged in the war with Mexico, as
an officer of the American Army. But
great many could not have answered the
question at all. Now, however, he is
known to almost every man, woman and
child in the country and not only so,
but his name is familiar also to the peo-
pie of the old world And why is this
Is it because he has been a great, and
good, and virtuous man Is it because
lie has performed any deeds of yalor, of
bravery, or of heroism? Is it because he
has been peaceful, loyal and patriotic p
No; none of these. 1t is as the head
and front of the Southern Rebellion, that
he has made himself famous, and at the
same time infamous.
It is through Perjury, Piracy, Arson,
Robbery, Rapine and Murder, and not by
fair and honorable means, that he would
satisfy his ambitious spirit. 1t is as the
emolument of treason, with which that
of BENEDICT ARNOLD sinks into insignif-
icance, that he has gained for himself a
bad name which will be handed down to
the latest ,posterity.
And, so, too, of BEAUREGARD. Though
he had for years occupied prominent
position in the army of the United States.
yet as we had long been at peace, and his
military services had not been called into
play, he was comparatively but little
known But no sooner had he assumed
command of the Secession forces at
Charleston, than his name was in every
newspaper and in every ones mouth. In
the sacrifice OF the lives of loyal citizens,
in the destruction of public and private
property, and by the exhibition of cour-
age and other high military qualities, he
seeks to crafty his ambition. He doubt
less hopes and expects that, by these
means he will greatly increase his fame,
and that the youth of the country viii
read of his exploits with as great an avid
ity as they study the deeds of the most
renowned conquerors the world has ever
seen. But we would fain hope that, how
ever much they may read of him, none
will be found desirous of emulating his
career. Like DAVIS, his Rebel Chief, he
has gained bad eminence in bad cause,
and deserves only bad end.
But in order that we may furthar illus
trate our idea, let us suppose that these
two bad men. respectively possessing the
same physical and intellectual powers, had
been conscientious, having hearts filled
with patriotism and humane feelings, and
cherishing desire to work, not for their
own selfish purposes, but for the good Of
their country and the benefit of their fell
low men, they would then nave regarded
var Is dreadful necessity, and they wo'd