, 1873-05-10

In this life experiences at the approval OF his
fellows. This does not constitute any part Of
tho principle involved, which ia essentially un-
selfish It is the legacy which an honest public
man leaves his family and friends, the example
which no impresses upon his contemporaries,
and the fruits Of his good works, which combine
to furnish the most solid and lasting reward OF
Life and labor. Tho memory of>Chief Justice
Ohaso is bright with all these, and will light up
the way for the imitation of those who would
follow in his footsteps. i,
It is impossible not to think Of the death OF
Oakes A1nes in contrast to Judge Chaso's de-
cease. 1t is not certain that the Credit Mobilier
revelations hastened the death Of Oakes Ames,
any more than it did that Of James Brooks.
Brooks failed rapidly after the fearful exposure
and tho public diegrnce with which
he Vas visited. It WAS not rcmorBe
in his case, but his spirit Was broken. It was
his pride that received a death-b1ow.' His last
appearances in Congress were pictures Of dejec-
tion and despair. Tho case Of Cakes
Ames was different from that of james
Brooks. He was essentially money-get-
tar Tho anassing Of wealth was his chief
aim in life, q part Of his curly education, and
fully confirmed by his habits Of life. He sue
ceeded to q profitable business which his father
had left him he grow up under those CONNER
cial influences which concentrate uponthe power
I.
district; he dabbled in nll sorts Of specnlaions,
stocks, railroads, and Government contracts,
which promised to yield profit; ho went to Con-
gress with the single purpose OF advancing
shrewd importurbability, and the manifold ad-
vantage which he maintained throughout the
Credit Mobilier inquialtion, showed him to DO
man Of intellectual expedionts. Yot he never
employed his talents in Congress to originate
any public policy, to sustain any public measure,
or to give himself the, slightcs prominence aB q
Legislator. His mind was entirely engrossed
with the hobby OF :money~making- He -was a
fetish worshiper f.the Almighty Dollar. It Is not
impossible to conceive that Oakes A1nes went
into Credit Mobilior, used his Congressional posi-
ton, and influenced others to use their
Congressional influence, to advance this
scheme to defraud the Government,
as Q pure and natural business transaction, with
out any distinlt consciousness Of wrong doing.
1t would probably have struck him Us neglect
Of his duty as d business man if he had failed
to take advantage Of his Congressional oppor
tunities to advance his interests Is q money
getter.
It this view may be justly taken OF Oakes
Ames' career, it throws large share Of the
blame Of his mistaken life upon the mercantile
practices Of this age and country. Much OF the
Of the times, both private and
public, may be directly traced to morbid
greed for gain. The first lesson in tho
school Of American life ia the value OF
money, md the study is continued through
all the grades of advancement. 1t is taught So
cia11y, where money opens doors that would
bo closed against boorishness or vics.
It is taught in official circles, where money buys
places that ought to bo reserved for merit and
rear magnificent temples, and call those men to
preside over their doctrines whose contributions
arc largest and whose pews are the most costly. /
It is taught So asaiduously in commercial
circles TINT this chief end in lifo |
is permitted to justify means which would be |
condemned in eny abstract consid-
Grafton OF their character. Monoy-making OF |
itself is not noble pursuit, nor does SUCCESS
therein Indicate any distinguished ability or 8
career to be proud Of. Yet it has become pro-
fession per Sc, and Cakes Amcs' career WAS an
example Of how strong hold it has upon tho
people Of our day. In his caae, there ia little /
doubt that the exclusive, absorbing, and perni-
cious passion for wealth, pursued without any
higher purpose than that Of mere acquisition,
talents that might have becn made
usoful to his country, end poisoned perceptions
that may primarily hare been true and worthy.
Death has thus quickly overtaken the two
most prominent Congressional operators in the
Credit Mobilier frauds,-James Brooks and !
Oakes Ames,-and each in his way has Illus
trated how talent, and wealth, and position may
bo perverted. There is no disposition on the
part Of any one to follow them up after death;
but their. deaths rather than their lives show
tho hollowness Of public careers that have no
higher aims than personal advancement, to be
attained at the sacrifice OF everything that pre-
rents itself in the shape Of m obstacle. Bocie-
tY must estimate its own sbnre OF responsibility
for tho practices, influences, and education that
help to model such careers.
FREIGHT RAILWAY TO THE EAST.
The scheme for a double-track steel-rail |
freight railroad from New York to the West is
:eceiving some attention in various quarters.