Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-10-08
Wanted = Worthy Men for Public
0ffcee


1t Is z noticeable fact that our best
men are not in political life. They 40
not EEL, and cannot understand, the
Digoted zeal OF party spirit. They will
nos oescend 70 the miserable trickey
and sn5teTfuges Of the modern pOliti-
clan 1t Is plainly e that whoever
mas q iandaDie and proper ambition to
serve the public in political Office
must attach himself to one OF the
other Of the great political parties,
and, without asking ''Wby or where
tore," must blindly follow the behests
% corrupt managers and serupla
az no chicanefy or deception to attain
his goal. II urged only by a epseo OF
duty, the patriot viii stand a small
chance ior success; and II successful,
ne viii enter upon a field Of seton
where he viii find few to help him in
any honorable purpose Of reforming
abuses.
The men who rise most rapidly in
the different grades Of politics, who
Weld the most power, who carry
away the largest share Of the spOils,
are not those who have the bFcadesk
minds and most magnanimOus Ia
lures, but they are those who are
skilled in arts and intrigues, and who.
know best when and how to play
upon the eupidity and ambitions Of
Others. Our legislative halls are not
an arena where men Of ability nav
meet In fair and honorable debate.
aud where the glow of patriotism
warns and animstes noble eOntes-
tants; they are rather the resort Of the
II mara Nr1nHuEa, - -z-rN--~ - -
ing corporations, wholly Without
serupies, eager only for money, and
looking upon politics only As the road
to power and wealth. These are the
men who delight in dark and crooked
inaiguss, and in getting to these ends
0y means which honorable men
loathe.
Superior men shun politics, and VIII
DO so as long as the present debasing
and corrupt system prevails. One
leading organ Of public opinion says
the whole country Is blasted by the
reign OF small men, and our republf
can system IS whitening away under
their rule" There IS a. much average
ability in the country nov As at any
period Of Its history, but Il il not en-
gagged in Of1ce-seekiLg. The best tai
ent Of the commonwealth Il not mo-
nOp0lized in politics. Minds OF the
highest order are employed in science,
who could not be turned from their
noble pursuits by the Establishments
Of public applause, or the emOluments
Of official station. Many men OF the
first order Of administrative ability
are exclusively engaged in large In
dustrial or commercial enterprises, or
public Improvements, requiring enOr-
nous capital, and productive Of actual
OF prospective results Of the first in
pOrtance. Many lawyers Of high Gull
ture and profound professional at
tainments I eDgrOssed in an hOnoEa-
bic and lucrative practice, who ars
yet capable and worthy Of high ex c.
uhye or legislative position, but who
cannot be drawn from their sphere by
any Of the allurements or hOnors Of
modern politics. It is not the race Of
Americans that is degeneratin2.
There Is nothing calculated to dwarf
and cripple in the spirit Of cur institu-
tons, and there is just as many men
of parts now SIS at any lormer period :
but they decline to engage in the vile
scramht6 for nlGcn and mower