The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-13
The Hon. j. M. Greer

1.-The Office Seeker" was responded
to by Judge Greer as follows: "The
taskma:tsr, when he assigned me this
cheerful subject did 80, am sure,
with the benevolent hope that either
from my own melancholy experience,
or, from nv observation OF good men,
that / would tell you something. That
this is solemn occasion aud mine a
mournful task, this limited audience
does not seem to realize. firmly be
lieve, however, that before take my
seat tears-of vexation and misery
will sparkle on your hardened
cheeks like dewdrops upon bronze
monument which has been ont all
night. Not that / am about to read you
an original poem, or deliver a
moral lecture, but because tits
my mission tonight to i'm
part useful information. Yes, mine
is the sad duty OF telling who and what
the office seeke r is and was, and yours
the still sadder duty of listening to
me. 1t may be said that this is carry.
ing GOALS TO Newcastle, that each indi-
vidual present has at some time or
other in his life been-but l will
not pursue this painful theme further.
In glanciDg backward l find that a
curious belief once prevailed, and that
as late as this century come of our an
cestors credited it, belief that once
the Office sought the man, Bu' as no
mention is made as to who was the
man, where he was born, in what
country he lived, or what dime mu-
scum secured his valuable services, |
think we are authorized in discredit-
ing the fable. Certain it is,
that from the earliest organization
of society the Office seeker has been
sn important persousge. His natural
food, through which he grew to great
res, was always real or imaginary
public pap. All climes, all peoples
and all governments have known him,
but, IS citizens Of this great Republic,
think we are warranted in claiming
him as our own favored son." The
rude and barbsrous civil service re-
former has in the p'st few Yeas
sought to quiet his soft, co3ing solici'a.
tione, but we are proud to note that
the said refermer has only met with
partial success. Like the average cot
ton planter, the office seeker has ever
been ready to mortgage his fnture
to his present, and livts in the
olitsiul hope that the day Of
reckoning will never come. His ca
psci,y 10 get up Detitiors and to know
all OF che boys" is marvellous. His
lamilisritv with "Vox Populi,"
MANY Voters" fnd other distin-
guished newspaper writers il wonder
fu'. The variety of his opinions and
the sincerity with which he enter
tains conflicting views is amazirg. His
belief in Truth is only equaled by s
iDCapacity to be on speaking terms
with her. His desire to serve the
public is the most burning and eager
the world has ever known, and has DO
paiallel except in his capacity to for
get this desire and other promises
when he becomes the office holder.
He is readily Invisible into the
three classes-"The would bes,"
"The will bes" and "rbe have
beens." The first, find
from careful study of the last CEN
BuS, embraces Ine W0Ol6 auulL male,
and part of the female, population Of
the United States, The second cla's
shall meet with no specific mention
before this assemblsge. / always did
abhor the man who resorted to per-
sonslities in order that be might carry
a point. The third Glars is fewer in
number, but sh! how different in
character! Among them exists, what
the ancients tel US, used to occur in
families--a division. A division 20
wide as the gulf between Lazarus and
Dives. This grows cut OF the fact that
of the shave beens" some are Gins"
and some are "outs." The pathos
surrounding the office seeker is
so dense that few have pene-
trated il. II all the signs, which
have been drawn by defeated
candidates could be united in one we
would have such a wind storm IS
would blow out the stars. If all the
proans which have been uttered by
men who have failed could be Joined
in one the solid earth would be shaken
with it's thunder. Across the wsste
of years, down from the Pbaroahs,
past the monuments bui ded by men,
builded but to perish, over the crumb-
ling ruins Of the Aciopo'is, by the
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