Memoir of Abbott Lawrence. with an Appendix (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1883 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. SERVICE IN CONGRESS.--THE ASHBURTON TREATY. Men of business in the United States, in our day especially, are inclined to think that they have no time or thought to spare for public affairs. Some of them say plainly that in attending exclusively to their own concerns they can make more money than in devoting themselves in any degree to politics, and many more seem to act upon some such idea as this, although they do not put it into words. It is true, the spirit of partisanship has so degraded our politics, the issues between the opposing parties have to so large an extent become mere struggles for place and pelf, and so many of those who are influential in the caucus and successful in gaining office are thoroughly selfish and utterly indifferent to, if not ignorant of, all considerations of political morality and of the permanent welfare and safety of the body politic, --that men of honor, integrity, and independence, men of the first rank, whether in mercantile or professional life, are too often repelled from scenes, associations, and aims so unworthy and so unpromising; but to despair of politics in this country is to despair of the country itself, and to refuse to participate in political controversy and struggle in the ordinary times of peace is as unpatriotic and may prove as mischievous as to withhold personal service and sympathy in the exigency of war. Mr. Lawrence recognized the claims of his country upon him at all times, in peace no less than in war. He was too sagacious not to understand that the only true and lasting prosperity for the individual citizen is dependent upon the general well-being of the nation, and he was too liberal-minded and public-spirited to desire to leave to others the unshared burden of political responsibilit..