Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-11
1.-The Young Man in Politics. =
Copyright by New York Pres;

t1OpNTlSnt by New Ork freSS.l
| 1t is well in these days. when it has be-
come somewhat popular with a class OF
men to decry politicians. and to sneer AT
all who participate in the politics of the
day. to really understand a politician and
his career in politics. The idea that !;
politician is mere ward heller or Il
seeker of official position is all wrong
| Politics is the SCIENCE, of government. and
| a true politician is a man who is verscd
in this science. His aims and ambitions
are not to hold office, or TO dictate who
shall hold office. or to carry ward eau
cuses and party conventions. That is tho
work of the intriguer. and of the man
who can never rise to the dignity of !,
politician.
A man. to be IL successful politician
must have IL sincere love of country and
| be thoroughly grounded in the science OF
government. He must be Il man of prin-
ciple. of earnest and thorough convic-
lions, and have the faith of his convic-
tons.
| Parties are an absolute necessity to tbs
| life of the state Factions never serve
| the state. 1t has been truly said that il
| reflects no glory on a statesman to stand
aloof from his party. and it is no com
mendable virtue in the citizen of Il state
to belong to no party. The honorable and
dgnified name of statesman is given only
40 those men who distinguish themselves
as guides and leaders among the politi-
| clans.
| 1t is the duty of every young man en-
tering upon life to take an interest in
| politics. and become. in q degree. poll
| tician. The career of politics. like every
| other career has its hopes and disap-
| pointments. its advantages and disadvan-
| tages, its successes and failures. But
there is no career open to a young man
! in Il free republic so full of advantage
and enjoyments. so beneficial and useful
as the career of politics. politician. to
be successful. must study human nature
! in all it's phases. He must treat every
subject candidly. and deal with all men
honestly. The trckster can never sue
! ceed 1t is only the honest man who j.
| in the high and true sense politician
| Enemies he must hope to make. for me
never had a friend who never made q
foe" And men are better judged by theil
enemies than by their friends.
| BY entering the career of politics | dc
not mean office holding or office-seeking
The professional office-seeker and office
| holder Isl not man to be envled. 1t Il
not a career to be desired. 1t is not q
| career to be followed. The professional
ice-seeker. and Office-hOlder is never
! from the very nature of things. a man OF
Independent mind. His one end and ain
! in life is to hold office This narrows ant
tiwarfs him. stamps out independence OF
thought and action. and makes hin
| ''Crook the pregnant hinges of the knet
where thrift may follow fawning.
| 1t does not follow that the young MAI
| should decline office. Prefermcnt is al
ways to be accepted. But office shout,
not be sought. When it comes as Il trus
from the people it should be accepted an,
| worthily filled. Young men should b,
ambitious to so live. to have such an iii
| terest in politics. that they will be tittet
to occupy the positions on honor ant
trust: and the people will readily discern
and rightly decide who are to be intrust
ed with these positions of honor ant
power.
There is ample opportunity in this grea
country for all young men who have higi
aims and lofty purposes and who proper
ly fit themselves to perform the grea
duties of official trust. Let every young
man strive TO be
Statesman. yet friend to truth, Of sou
sincere.
In action faithful. and in honor clear;
Who broke no promise. served no private
4 end.
Who gain'd no title. and who lost n,
friend:
4 Enobled by himself. by all approved.
And prais'd. unenvied by the muse h
/ lOv'd.
The great and browning glory in the lif
of the immortal Lincoln. whose memor!
we cherish. was his firm and steadfas
faith in the people He believed and de