Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-09-14
Are Republics Ungrateful

Sandy Broad, in letter TO the La
Crosse Leader, says:
The history of two men now in this
city is worthy of the serious atten-
ton of those who thirst for political
prominence and the so-called honors
OF political life. First of these is
Leonard J. Farwell, once Governor
Of Wisconsin Relinquishing long
established and lucrative business in
Milwaukee, he entered the arena of
politics and was chosen Chief Magis,
trate OF the State. He occupied the
position with credit, and made num-
erous friends When his services
We're no longer required by the par
ty, he was cast aside. But he had
given up his business and was sorely
in need of some means by which to
earn livelihood. After rebuffs
which would dishearten a man not
compelled to endure them, be procur-
ed the position Of examiner in the
Patent Office at Washington, on a
salary of 81, 500 per annum. 1t was
last resort, and Was thankfully ac>
eepted. This be retained through
many changes until about June last,
when some movement of the politics
al wheel ousted him, and, at an ad-
lanced age, with family to support,
and little :or no influence, he was
once more thrown upon the world
and compelled to seek an occupation
fitted to his condition. He has re-,
Gently removed to Chicago aud
opened small Office as o solicitor OF
patents, not very remunerative oc-
cupation at best, and under present
circumstances not the most profita-
bic. Had Governor Farwell abstain
ed from active participation in poll
tics and given his attention to his
ordinary business he might now have
been one of the wealthiest men in
the Badger State, instead of depend
ing on tho pitiful earnings of his own
hand for his own daily bread. But
once in the maelstrom of politics,
and there seemed to be no rescue for
him.
The second is James r. Doolittle.
For many years the ablest man in
the Republican party OF Wisconsin /;
gifted orator, and an upright Judge,
his position commanded the respect
of men of both parties. Represents
ing the State in the Chamber Of the
Senate Of the United States, his repu>
tation extended through the nation.
Eauv SfnnI hsrrha..
of the people, and the hope that he
might one day occupy the Presiden-
tial chair seemed reasonable. His
voice was often heard in the Senate,
and always with respect. But now
all is changed. Defeated and cast
aside, discarded by his own party
and despised by the opposition-his
political death is a certainty. He |
acknowledges it, and has withdrawn
entirely from political strife. And |
how does the downfall of his hopes |
find him pecuniarily? In May last
he opened law office in this city,
once more commencing OF the bot
tom of the ladder, with the labor to |
be performed over again. He has
begun again in a manner which not |
only illustrates the low turn of for
tunes wheel, but displays the IN
fiinching energy of the man. Enter
ing the field to contend with the |
: West legal talent in the West, he
does so unaided and in the face of
strong opposition, attending closely
to mis- profession, and giving his
whole energies to his cause. He oc-
cupies room in his office ana pro-
cures his meals from a restaurant,
while his family reside at Racine,
their home for so many years. A
young sPrig of a lawyer whose
"shingle" is still fresh with the paint
applied six months ago, in allniing
to Mr.. Doolittle, boasted that has
practice was more extensive than
that Of the Senator's, and, said he,
cover at the Court House, the other
day, Doolittle wanted to address the
Court, but he had to wait till got
through p
Political life frequently brings hon.
or and emolument, but there are
many cases in which honest men have
been reduced to Indulgence and bank
ruptcy by the Vaccinations Of poll
ticians, when by the exercise of their
talents in private life, an equally
honorable position in society, and
much more lasting one, might have
been attained. Even in these times
of "porstorfses" and second cousins,
it is sometimes true that "the post of