Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-01-25

more offensive 10 the ear Of delicacy, than the
character to which it applies is repulsiye to gen
vine manliness. He combines all the assurance
Of the little great man, with the base spirited
ness Of the Toady and is found in those rela-
tions of life that offer pecuniary rewards, Or
have fayors to bestow. He is willing medi-
nm through which great deal OF harm can be
done. and the mischief which he does is in d.
rect proportion to the opportunity that he may
have for the exercise Of his powers. He some
times occupies more important positions than
an acquaintance with his characteristics would
suppose him capable of attaining; and, as there
IS but one step from the purest legal order OF
nation to the severest rule Of despot will, be
is always willing to form that step, and makes
ofimpudence what pure mind makes OF its
solid claim, to the notice and esteem OF the
world. This often exposes him to rldicule, but
as difficult to touch as his effrontery is unbound
ed. His baseness borrows bo!dness from long
practice; land he Silly imagines that every distin
guished person whom he meets is aware OF his
0Vershaoowing claims to distinction! Beings SO
impressed be does not hesitate to obtrllde his
presence upon the notice OF such persons, and
becomes much afronted if they do not perceive
that parsonage of high import desires to IN
troduce them to public consideration.
Nothing brings so soon to view the Elasticity
Of the Flunky as his occupation OF place OF
more or less consequence He is always an as
pirant for positions OF Importance, and always
accepts that which is next the one which he
/ cannot get. He gives to every trivial affair OF
official interest disgusting pompos1ty, and the
/ mode in which he conducts the petty business
Of his position shows the material OF which lie
ismade, and indicates his readiness to be the
tool in the performance OF any aetthat Will bring
q reward without the probability Of accounta-
blity Possessing but little yeracity, he cannot
esteem the respect which others feel for the
sanctity of honorable obligat.ons and being
without true honor, he is the first to coptemn
its existence and underrate it's reward. lie is
not ouly enthusiastic in his adherence to place,
but exceedingly facile in demeanor to those
above him in position and, before hewlll tore
20 the advantages of his situation, he will ever
consent to be the instrument OF those acts that
darken his name with reproach, and surround
it with perpetual obloquy. It his place is one
of patronage, he is ever anxious not to oiend
. the source that bestowed it, and proves his at
tachment for both place and patron, by the agile
manner in which he grasps any excuse whereby
he can put to trouble, those who offer, by word
or act, the slightest pretext for the exercise OF
his love for the cause which he serves, and his
respect for the authority that hesupports.. tie
3 acts like spaniel to those who have him N the
condition Of subatern, and like brute 90
wards those who are unfortunate enough TO De
D in his power. This be tancles the test OF bis
competency, and this concelt coupled with
craven zeal, hurries him to the COMMISSION q
excuses that not only undo his superlors ana
4 himself, but bring both to merlted contempt;
4 for betgeec the yenaity OF his motives and the
B fear Of the loss OF consequence, he becomes the
B verest of s7chophants. and with a bastard bow
will bend to Kiss With servie lips, the feet that
command the low ground which he occupies.
His forte is the aaulation Of his super!ors IN
place. and his praise Of those above him 10 OH
4 cial position is without limit. He utters not
word Of reproach against them, for he deems
their interest hisinteresF, and heapplauds their
slightest acts as glibly, as he ahjectIy apoo-
gizes for their most irregular tlunders; he re-
iterates the declaration that the world has nev-,
er seen their like, and that history never painted
more perfect models Of functional aptitude and
executive efficiency. He grows pathetic IN bis
sycophancy, and with seeming seriousness,
ayers that their removal would be entirely ire
. parable, and one of the greatest calapItles So
8 ciety could possibly experience. lfclrcumstan
3 ces should remove them, and others, who were,
in all likelihood, former objects of his traduc-
tion, take their places, he begins at once to say
4 what nice men they are aud they. like tbose
a who preceded them, receive bis most obsequl-
Gus attention. He portrays then exactly SIM
liar to his original patrons and draws raralleIs
suited 10 his peculiar style, to prove them as
3 good, if not better, than those whose loss he
B proclaimed would cost the world much derange,
ment and mankind great inconvenience, Such
D is the way Of the Flunky, and the restriction