The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-12
oFFIoE-sEEKINe.


The hunger and thirst for Office, of late
years, has had wondrous effect upon the
minds of great number of persons, and
the dear people are continually harrassed
by those who are anxious to serve their
country in fat Office, where there is little
or nothing to do. Men are not content
as in former years, to pursue the business
occupations of agriculture, trade, mechanic
arts, or the profession, either of which if
attended to with proper diligence and pru-
denee would afford competency for
themselves and families. To hold an
office has really become an infatuation
that absorbs all the thoughts of some
people, even to the neglect of their legiti-
mate business, and whether qualified or
deserving, they without the least modesty,
put themselves forward and most urgently
press their imaginary claims upon the peo-
pie with all the persuasive power they
possess and every coneeited idea of the
mind is brought to bear to win the hearts
of those they angle for. Courteous and
cautious they are all things to all men
and full of promises. Their syren voices
and smiling faces and friendly grasp of
the hand, are, indeed very captivating
and almost irresistible, and before the un-
thinking and guileless voter knows what
he is about, he has pledged himself to
dozen or more candidates. There are va
rious ways and methods by which men are
enlisted in the cause of certain candidates,
and who at once become their most We
hement trumpet blowers, and woe to those
who dare oppose. Each candidate fer
public favor think she has the better claim
upon the party and cannot brook opposi-
tion from any quarter, aud thinks every
body must agree with him in his high
opinion of himself, otherwise be imagines
you are bis personal enemy, and his con-
traeted and selfish mind puts mark upon
you for future occasion.
The possession Of an Office is not, unless
a very lucrative one, any advantage to the
possessOr, particularly where they are of
uncertain tenure as most Offices now are.
The man who once gets taste Of the
sweets of Office, seldom afterward rises
from the slothfulness which il naturally
engenders, and ever after becomes q
chronic ofiee-seeker. He is like fish
out Of water and as anxious to get back to
the stream of ease and plenty which af
fords livelihood without extracting the
sweat from the face or taxing the mind
The man who has not the industry or
capacity to attend properly to his own bu-
siness is not apt to be fit person to man
age the affairs of others in a satisfactory
manner, aud, therefore, ought not to be
chosen for public position of any respon-
sibility. No party is justi6able in select
ing unworthy and incompetent men for
Office when there are so many to be select
ed from who are in every respect worthy
and capable. To effect such desirable
object, il needs but that the masses of the
party have free participation in its eoun-
ellis and their rightful voice in its manage,
ment, and be not controlled By any clique
or the dictation of any bosses, 1t is sell
dom the people err, if left to express their
free win, aud are not Influenced or hum
bugged by wirerulleIs for their own sell
fish ends
It is true, the Offices created by the
laws and constitution must be filed, and
few are proof against the sweet seducing
charms of Office, but they ought to be oe-
cupied by those who are known to be
''capable and honest, two essential quail
feations, and such meritorious men can at
all times be found in any community, if
the people are left to choose for themselves,
and their wishes are not frustrated by we'll
laid schemes of adroit politicians.