Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1909-10-28
Works From Age and Experi-
enCe.

Works From Age and Experi-
There are many things in this
world that is not understood,
especially so, by the young. In
this, a republican form of gov
eminent, it is thought by the
young and inexperienced that
the only desirable condition of
life is public Office, no position
so honorable as that of a politi-
ton. The young man is influ-
enced by surrounding circum.
stances, in adopting a life that
leads him into party politics,
and he naturally lends every eff
ort to insure his elevation to Off
ce,great or small, but if he could
only stop to consider that of the
million of American people but
few, very few make politics a
success; it is poetical to hear it
said tina Presidency of the
| United Soa.e is in the reach of
the most humble boy, yet we
must not forget the fact that of
the ninety millions of our people
less than forty men have been
elected to that high position.
If we could impress it upon
the mind Of the young that it is
more honor to be a successful
doctor, lawyer, preacher, me-
ichanic or farmer, than to hold
a seat in the Congress of the
United States, we would be do
ing good work. There is al
ways room at the top for such
men,"
Another fact should be Ii armed
by the young men of the land,
and that is. that no office in the
gift of the people chat ever pay
ed the office seeker for his eff
fort to secure it, not that he
buys it, or in any way commits
a fraud to secure it, but try as
you may to keep down expense,
it costs money to succeed in pol
|itics. We have, as many other
men, been infatuated by the
vain glory of office have mix
ed and mingled in politics, more
or less for over sixty years
have met both success and de-
feat, and now, in my age and
experience can say, like one of
old. when speaking on this sub
|ject cit is all vanity and vexa-
|tion of spirit" If we had but
one message to leave to the
young men, we would say: keep
out of politics, let no infatua-
ton or hope of glory induce
you to dwarf your manhood by
entering in to party politics, or
joining that army of office see-
kers. Choose some noble pro-
fession, and be independent.
We remember once in the
county we had a young man of
marked ability as a teacher, and
his party friends, thought to
use him for party advantage,
nominated him as a candidate
for the legislature and we then
remarked that in his election,
we would loose a very fine tea
cher to secure very poor rep
. resentative. He was defeated,
J and turned his attention to the
profession of teaching, and now
he has climbed to the very top
most round of success in the
educational institutions at the
Capitol of the STATE, and re-
ceives a larger salary than any
officer, County or State, in Iowa.
He has reached a position with
the educational institutions of
the world, and by his position
he can assist others to climb to
the the highest pinicle in the
temple of fame.
Shun politics as you would a
dangerous plague. Grow in
knowledge, and by your exam
pie inspire other young men to
look higher than office for honor
and glory. Wewere once young
but are now old and can speak
from experience, when we say:
Of all the cheats and receptions
none so worthless as politics.
Better keep the official bee out
of your hat, sooner or later it
may lead you into disappoint-
ment and per chance dishonor.
: Seek profession or trade, or
! best Of all, seek a farm, that is
a certain road to happiness"ond
/ prosperity. You may conclude
this advice as worthless, COM
ing as it does from one who has
reached the age when political
h0nnrc haUA Lost IFS facinatinn