The record-union., 1893-01-14

he had so shrewdly managed that he
brought about the nomination of Zachary
Taylor, and perhaps more than any other
man secured his election, and then the
politicians began to call him "Presi-
dent-maker." He had determined to
make Mr.. Seward President, and, al
though he did not succeed in doing this,
ne was barely defeated, and President
Lincoln, recognizing Mr.. Seward s
strength, made him his Secretary OF
State.
Thurlow Weed, before he was forty
years of age. had become so influential a
politician and SO good an editor that his
friends founded newspaper for him in
Albany, and it became the business OF
his life to edit it. His ambition had been
gratlted, for he was now one of the great
editors. The rival paper in Albany was
edited by no other person than that same
Edwin Crosswell, who used to have pity,
and some condescension Of manner as
well, for poor little Thurlow Weed. But
Mr.. Weed was no longer poor, and he
had become powerful, having overcome
obstacles which Mr.. CrosSwell never
knew.
One of the things which used to puzzle
politicians, and has always been regarded
as strange mystery of Mr.. Weeds life,
was that, although he was the greatest of
politicians and was called the power be-
hind the throne, and had made men Pres
ldents and Governors and Senators, yet
ne never would accept an office himself.
lie served twice in his early life in the
Legislature and then made up his mind
never to take an office; but he was more
powerful than many men who held con-
spicuous offices. He once told General
Thomas Il. James, who was Postmaster
General when Garfield was President,
why he had decided never to accept office.
In 1874 young Weed wanted to take the
result of the Electoral vote in New York
State to Washington. That was an honor
then much coveted. as it has been ever
since. A messenger is appointed by the
Electoral College in each State to carry
its vote to Washington and deliver it to
the Vice-P President, and he receives a
sum OF money for so doing. Mr.. Weed
wanted this appointment very much, in
deed, and he felt that he ought to have it,
since he had done so much TO secure the
vote for John Quincy Adams, but, to his
bitter disappointment, another man was
selected. 1t grieved him greatly. He
brooded over it, and then, realizing what
sorrow defeated ambition is, he made
up his mind never again to covet an
of11ce, and also that he might not be
tempted to aspire to any office, he de-
clded that he would not accept one, even
II It were offered unsolicited. That rule
he kept, although he might, had he been
willing to break it, have been Governor
OF New York, Senator in Congress or a
foreign Minister to one of the greatest
nations of Europe.
Mr.. Weed once told the writer that he
should advise all young men who are
ambitious to gain distinctlon in political
life to do three things: One, always to
keep promises, no matter at what sacri-
fee; another, never to make a bargain to
secure nomination for office; third, to
cultivate the widest acquaintance, and,
having made friends, to stand by them
through thick and thin. by observing
these three rules,' he said, any young
man Of fair abilities and good habits can
look forward to distinguished honors in
public life. ."-E. J. Edwards in Cleveland
Leader.