The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-18

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for they did use just such means, and
could not otherwise have accomplished
what they undertook. The truth is,
then, that this class of men are unwill-
ing to resort to the use Of such tools as
their work demands. They would
clean q stable with an ostrich buster
and silver pan, rather than risk soiling
their hands with the proper instruments
for such work.
Now while we may not condemn
these men, while they may merit our
highest esteem, and while we may even
deli ht to do them honor, it is perfect
folly for US to set them at tasks for
which their natural and acquired dispo-
sitions render them utterly unsuitable.
Our congress Of the United States is a
numerous gathering of men from all the
States, representing widely scattered
and heterogeneous constituencies, and
each one having in view various inter-
ests and desiring t" accomplish certain
results. Let any district send thither
man of retiring habits, averse to con-
tention and disinclined to seek for the
accomplishment of his objects by effect
ing combinations with fellow-represen-
tatives, and of what avail can he b. {?
The purity of his private life, the noble
ness Of his impulses, and his scholarly at
tainments will amount to just nothing at
all. He will be pushed aside by his more
clamorous and impudent associates and
silenced by their unceasing racket, and
until he is willing to take hold Of the
tools and materials he finds at hand and
apply them to the work, he will find
himself incompetent to do more than
fill seat and vote.
We are not exaggerating in this mat
ter. For several years we filed seat
in the reporters gallery in congress, and
we know that the instances are exceed
ingly rare when a gentleman of the dis
position which Judge Wilder's friends
claim him to be ever accomplished any
thing in the house of representatives.
Here, then, is one sufficient reason why
he should not be sent there. 1t would
place him in that most unpleasant pre-
dicament of realizing his inef6ciency,
and would sorely disappoint the consti-
tuents who meant to do him honor.
And, as Major Strait is different kind
of man altogether,-one of whom i5 is
known that he will use such means as
are at his command to accomplish the
legislation required by his district,-it
follows that he is better man for this
position than his competitor. This,
then, is one reason why Major Strait is IL
better representative than Judge Wilder
can become.
But, says Mr.. Herbert, Judge Wilder
is not an Office seeker, and Major Strait
is. GIANT is. Is that ambition Which
prompts man to seek public position
wrongper Sc? If so, nearly all the great
and GOOD men whose names ad0rn the
pages of political history we've guilty Of
wrong, for they nearly all sought Office.
But, for the arguments sake, we will
admit that this is fault. Judge Wilder
has for years belonged to a minority
party, and as it could have pro6ted him
nothing to have sought Office, is it not
just possible that there is no merit in
his not being an of6ca-seeksr And
will not the fact that Major Strait be-
longs to majority party and had in
dueements held ont to him to become
an ofice-seeker, mitigate his offense
somewhat Remember, the one was
free from temptation, while the other
was tempted with exceeding sore temp
tations. Who shall judge between them
as to their respective measures of virtue?
And, moreover, is it not probable
that Judge Wilder, if he possesses the
superior qualifications which his friends
claim for him, would have proved
himself Il better and more patriotic cit
izen had he overcome his party preju-
dices and sought Office, and used his
eminent abilities to promote the well
fare Of his country? And, for having
done this very thing, is not Major
Strait all the more worthy of commen.