Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-07-10
NUMBER 81.
Once Seeking.

In this country all government offices are open,
and may be sought by those whom the laws de-
clare eligible to hold them. There was formerly
great diversity of opinions in some parts of our
country, concerning the morality of direct seek
ing and working to get Office. But at last there
is very general belief that it is not disgraceful to
ask the people, or the Executive, to confer the
honors and emoluments of Office. As men are
given to overestimating their abilities, we find
many aspirants, with full confidence in their
qualifications, thrusting their claims before
those whr have the power to bestow the various
places of trust and profit. General Grant is re-
ported as saying "that Office seeking has become
one of the great industries of the country"
Whether he said it or not, there is truth in the
assertion. There are many reasons why men
desire Office. 1t gives them certain amount of
consideration; they love the Difference which
is paid them, the t1attery of hunkies and para
sites, their self esteem is fed and grows, often
to huge proportions. They love the power
which Office bestows though it be but little and
brief authority, they fully appreciate it, and
their vanity is inflated. People generally are
lazy, they like to get the largest amount of pay
for the least amount of work. And when man
once gets an Office these things become a part
OF his life, second nature, he must have them,
he is uneasy and miserable without them. And
when his term expires he wants to continue or
to 90 up higher. If he gets fully moulded in
the ofice-hoder's shape and form, it is hard to
get out of it and go back to the common busi-
ness of life it often happens that this process
wholly units a man for other employments.
Therefore men plot and scheme, turn and twist,
make combinations, bargains and trades, and do
all manner of right and wrong things to get
Office or keep it. There is great danger here;
and you may be sure you are doing young
man a great kindness when you advise him not
to take any government Office, particularly fed
eral appointment. The same measure of ability
and integrity requisite to fill even subordinate
office, will, nine cases out of ten, reap greater
honor and profit in any ordinary business of life.
it is exceedingly bad policy to spoil good me-
chanic or business man in making government
| clerk or officer. In these days, when the civil
service bill has failed and rotation in Office is
the fashion, it is not safe to calculate on holding
a place longer than just time enough to spoil one
for all other purposes and pursuits. We urge
young men therefore to attend to their callngs,
trades and professions, and let Office seeking
alone. 1t is only where man is confident that
he is fitted for place, and better qualified to fill
it than other aspirants, and certain, also, that
his country calls him to her need to do noble
work for her, by illustrating the fact that man
may hold Office and be full, true, round man
all the time, that any man should consent to
turn aside from his business and seek and take
Office. Filled with this conviction it is fire.
quently not difficult to convince the voters of q
district of its truth. The man who really de-
! serves Office generally has the genius to grasp
and hold it. He can prove that it was fated
that he should have it, He can bring men into
sympathy with his aims and purposes. Let the
people look up such men, and fall into the ranks
OF their supporters. To do this they must keep
their eyes open, use their common sense and rea-
son, avoid imposition, shams and humbugs, and
find and cling to the brave and true men, who
were born to serve and rule.-Oakland Transcript.