Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-30
CONGRESSIONAL HuoGnapBurs.
Various vanitics as Developed i'm the
Directory

HEROES, STATESMEN AND LAWYERS As REcoRpKRs or
THKIR OWN AcHIEyENENrs
The biographical sketches or members OF Con-
greSs as prepared by themselves individually ana
published In the Congressional Directory, seem 10
furnish a sort OF index, In many cases, % the
characteristics OF the men. Vanity Is a conspic-
uous feature Of many OF these sketches ana it be-
trays itself in various phases. The statesmen Of
the Josiah Boundcrly order, the boastrul self
made man, who "came from nothing" obtrudes
all the little steps by which he reached Congress
He Is particular To relate that ne began his
glorious career by working upon a farm or clerk
ing In store, aud intimatcs that n0tw ihstaudiny
his diflident and retired nature his brilliant
talents shone with such refulgence 10 attract
Then there Is the vanity OF military achieve
ment, which the subject INDUCES by printing long
list OF the grades he held in the army the whols
so grouped as 10 imply that 10 his soldrriY enius
the country mainly owes Its preservation.
Then there rs The vanity which rise above and
despises military service something be-
meath IT. The member afflicted with
this sort of vanity SAYS, in substance,
10 appreciate my talents and capa -ity ac6eptei
an appointment 10 West Point even served as
an officer In the army FOR period, but aiscov-
cred that the dull routine of soldiers Ire was
beneath me. 1 quit IL and startled the world
with my brllliance as a Lwyer. During
the rebellion 1 consented 60 serve my
country a general officer i'm the army for a tlme
because IL really needed me: but, though /
achieved fame. that WAS mere incident in nay ca
reer. ais as lawyer and stat smGn that I
claim distinction and the gratitude OF a country
blessed 10y my services"
one fact about these sketches, wifi N stares tie
| person somewhat familiar With the career OF
prominent CongrcSSutn IN the face, Is that those
who are known TO have actually raised themselves
from the humolest station, omit all reference to
J JSnss' ,or Of ,oI Florida who. while 3
at the carpenters bench. He merely states that
prior 10 the practice OF law he worked al his trade
Senator Beck, OF Kentucky, and Others, whose
early days or toll parts OF their personal his
tory, make no concealment or IL, II they have not
seen nj 10 load the Congressional directory with
this eX perience
The vanity OF scholarship Is another that infests
the pages OF the Congressional directory. IL shows
Itself In the number OF honors won by the writer
or the sketch In colleges ana OF the degrees ne has
had conferred upon him. Then, there is the ora
/ torical vanity In which the famous addresses ana
that IL was his magnificent and powerful
rhetoric which elevated the subject OF the
| professional vanity which prompts the writer of
his personal history to mention the profession 20
| which he belongs and the fame he supposes he has
attained as lawyer, doctor, theologian or scien-
| list
Many OF the sketches are but brief and modestiy
tell the most prominent features OF the Congress-
mans career. The largest biography In the d.
rectory is that OF Gen. Rosecranz and the shortest
| is that or Wadsworth, OF New York. who devOtes
| but two lines TO himself Gen. keifef, next TO
RosecranZ, occupies the greatest amount OF space,
recording his military ana civil service and grades
| with much particularly. Messrs Mackey and
| Smalls. OF South Carolina, were pleased with
themselves for subject to write upon and they
did their subject ample justice Messrs Blount,
Turner and Dixie required but three lines each TO
tell all they thought important to be known OF
| themselves, while Thompson, OF Kentucky, famil-
iarly known as "Phil, modestly contents himself
with but few words over three lines The sketches
OF Senator's Don Cameron and Hampton are
models OF brevity, but, In fact. the Senator is noe
SO much Inclined 70 run into self-praSe rs the Re-
preventative.