48 HOW TO ATTAIN TRUE GREATNESS.

 

of maintaining even his present elevation,
much less of rising higher, unless he be-
came pliant in the hands of those who had
elected him, he suffered all ideas-of the ge-
neral good to recede from his mind, and
gave himself up wholly to furthering the
schemes and interested views of his own
party. By this means, he was enabled to
maintain his position. But what a sacri-
fice for an honourable, high-minded man!
A few years in the State legislature, where
he was an active member, prepared him
for going up higher. He was, accordingly,
nominated for Congress, and elected, but
by the same means that had accomplish-
ed all of his previous elections. And
he went there under the mistaken idea
that he was becoming a great man, when
it was not with any particular reference to
his fitness for becoming a representative of
one section of the country for the good of
the whole that he was sent there, but as a
fit tool for the performance of selfish party
ends. Thus he became the exponent in