Litchfield Enquirer

Office Seeking.—The Editor of the Evening Star inveighs strongly against the wide prevailing thirst for office in this country, and among other words of truth and soberness, utters the following :

"There is an evil which is now spreading far and wide over our country, and threatens the most injurious consequences to the real independence of our citizens; we allude to the vast number of applicants for office. Those who have managed to seize the reins of power are unwearied in their exertions to make converts by holding forth inducements for men to join their party, and as soon as they are chained to their cars, all hope of liberty and independence is lost. If a man is unfortunate in business, instead of throwing himself on his own resources, and by renewed industry and energy regaining his lost ground, he is advised to ask for an office, and you see him a supplicant at the door of some influential person. or a hanger-on at ward hotels, an active partizan at the polls or a declaimer at public meetings. Should he be so unfortunate as to succeed, he puts on livery and becomes the vassal of some ambitious leader, or the humble follower of some strong or influential person; he is in constant terror of losing his office by the treachery of his own friends; but should he succeed in holding it for a few years, some change takes place in the administration, and he is turned out, poor. aged, and helpless; the talent, ability and industry necessary for comfort and competence, he has exchanged for public station, which passes from him probably to some unworthy object. It is better to open oysters, and to wheel a wheelbarrow, and earn a half loaf of bread by honest labor, than to be reduced to the miserable uncertainty of holding an office. He must play false to get it, and surrender manly independence to retain it."