The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-09-11
DEATH GIVES Mosg THAN LIFE
GOOD ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN

The Hon. Albert c. Brown. Of MissiS-
sippi, recently wrote a letter to young
friend, wherein he laments that he ever
made political speech or held an office
Ex-Gov. Brown was for thirty three
years. previous to 1866, continually in
high official and political station, and
would therefore seem to have had as eX-
tensive and favorable an experience as
any of his contemporaries and assOci-
ates. We quote as follows:
True, as you say, held many offices
Indeed, | may say that ! never knew
defeat III any Of my aspirations. And
it il just because / had success which
people call wonderful, that | feel com
petent 10 administer word OF caution
to the young men Of this generation.
Nv Young friend. do not be deceived by
the glitter Of Office. | am now past my
three score years. and am fast travel
ing into the tea, have had almost every
Office III the @.ll Of the people, and can
truly say with the preacher, it is all
vanity and vrAatian OF spirit.
Looking hack over a long, and |
hope not unsuccessful life. 1 can say,
with a clear conscience, my greatest re
gret is that | ever made Il political speech
or held an Office.
There is Il fascination iii office which
beguiles men. but be assured, my young
friend. it is the fascination Of Il serpent.
or, to change the figure. it Is the iggiS
.fdtHHS which coaXvs you Oh to inevitable
ruin.
Il speak of that which 10 know. If
my young friend will be governed by
rgaK 4 I oil
my success a. Il public man, now when
my head is blossoming for the grave |
feel that il would have been better for
me II L had followed the occupation of
my father, and been farmer
The mechanic arts are all honorable.
To be blacksmith Il carpenter, or an
artisan OF any sort. iS no discradit To any
man. Better that than be a iack-leg
lawyer, quacS-'loctor. a counter-hop-
per, or. worse stil. a wretched seeker
after Office.
oI all pursuits IN life that of a farmer
Is the most respectable 1t may have
ltS TRIALS and IFS di>apDointments. 50 do
all Others. The mechanic may lose the
wages OF his labor. the professional man
MS lees, the editor may weep over delin.
4Heht subscribers: but the honest. in
dustriouS farmer Is morally certain Of Il
lar Return for his labor
True. Paul may plant and AppolloS
water. but God must give the incrca :e.
But where is the faithful cultivatOr of
the soil, Gods heritage 70 man, who
ever Yet suffered for bread!
Allow me again TO caution my young
friends against the beguiling influence
of Office, and TO advise them most earn
estly to stick 10 mother earth"
HERE j. an Irish eentleman's Ietterto
lis son in college: My dear son: l
write to send you two pair of old breech-
e.. that you may have a new coat made
out Of them. Also some new socks
which your mother has just knit by cut
ting down some of mine. She sends you
ten dollars without my knowledge. and
for fear you may not use it wisely. | have
kept back half. and send you five.
Your mother and | are well, except
that your sister has got the measels.
which We think would spread among the
other girls. if Tom had not had it before,
and he is the only one left. hope you
will do honor to my teaching; if not you
are an ass and your mother and myself
your aiTectiOnate parents"