The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-03-19
one .sd oaice sceki"o.

La, Al mi, time, = great deal Is said about
Office seeking and Office seekers. a deal OF e'O-
ouenee and wit is wastel by Nirtuous s','o,
indemonstrating to the common mind 'na' OF
fee seeking as praetised in this country Is an
,.,,;,;,.,el evil. and that Office seekers are
necessarily corrupt and vicious. Within certain
Limitations this may be true, but We dissent en-
,irely from the sweeping statements which In
cple GOOD. bal, and Indifferent In one COM
mon mass, and leave no room for the suppose
ton that motives and purposes the most
pure and patriotic, may sometimes govern men
in their desire for Office. ....-
The fact is simply this; ifofhce seeking is to
a certain extent vice, aud office seekers some
times vicious, the vice is necessary evil grow
ing out Of our system Of government, while the
yiciousness Of individuals must be charged to
the inhrmaties Of human nature. change in
the system might do away with the business Of
Office seeking, but nothing save the exercise OF
Almighty power can 80 change the frame OF
humanity, as to render II certain that those who
attain to Oibce under any system, will in'aria-
bly, be yirtuous and upright
The trainers Of our wise constitutions OF gov
crnment, did not think best to relieve themsel-
YES. or their posterity, Of the trouble Of filling
all Offices necessary for the government OF the
country, by making Office hereditary in certain
families. or otherwise designating certain clas-
SEES or persons from whom either our rulers or
other ONCE holders should be chosen. And we
continue to this day, a free and independent
pcople, making our laws, elcctng our rulers,
and directly or indirectly designating every
person who shall wear the livery Of "unele
SAM"
With such field for generous rivalry and
noble ambition, is it anything strange that the
track should Oftentimes be erOwied-that seek
ers should outnumber the objects sought-that
many should think they were called, and find
TO their dismay, that but few are chosen, and
they not of the numberl Win itbe matter OF
surprise il, in the years to come, the knowledge
that the humble rail-splitter Of Illinois, and I'M
ambitious tanner Of Galcna, were rais,d by the
pcoplc TO the highest office in our country, in
spir,s a host conscious Of the possession OF great
mowers, to seek to adj their name to the list OF
Presidents Of these United States!
Isit matter Of surprise, that men sack for
theatres upon which to display the powers which
they think they pCsscss' Is it matter for regret
or ungcncrOus criticism, that men would like to
rcprrscnt their town in the House OF Reps or
their county in the Senate, or their district IN
Congress! And when il comes to the matter OF
election of Unitel States Senator, spositon at
once the most Independent, honorable and dig
nifel of any upon earth, is it singular that men
strain every nerve to secure the shtterins
prize!
But 1t is not against this class of office seek
era, that the batteries Of the press are trained
Mt this present time. but rather against those
unlucky individuals who think they have just
rs much right to try for Custom houses, Consul
latcs, Light houses, etc. as anybody else.
Now il man is capable and honest, why
may he not try for custom house or a Light
house. or seek the Office Of district attorney or
Marshal, or desire to 20 acruss the sea in some
official capacity, with as cool grace as men try
for any other rishtfal object in life ! Is it dis
graceful to seek employment from the govern
meut, AMI does trying to get ii involve any
greater rivalry. any more Of a scramble, than
is incident TO securing the position Of cashier In
"A bank, or the agency Of u corporatiouf