Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-12-21
From The ". Y Sum-
TIE WANT OF DIGNITY IN OUR
POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES.

The press of this country exhibits ex-
IRENE sensitiveness in reference to the harsh
things said of us by foreign travellers
and publications; but we ask in all sinceri-
ty if there is any thing in the bitter taunts
Of Hall, Trollope q Co., or the outpour-
ings of the London Times and Herald, that
can at all compare with the cutting satire
upon the the American people to be found
in the manner of conducting political dis
cussions by most of our own party Jour-
nails! When we see these journals every
day quitting their proper sphere descending
from their high and dignifed seats around
the throne Of truth TO engage in vulgar
personal abuse, in calling party ncknames
in clap-trap devices, in all captandum ar
guments, in low appeals to the passions Of
the multitude, and in reckless falsehoods to
deceive the public mind, what is the in
ference which we naturally draw? Why,
that these journals consider people whom
they address so unenlightened and SO de-
based that such disgusting ribaldry is more
effective with them than the plain and SIM
pie language of truth and reason. We ask
again what foreign scribbler has ever as
Take as an instance for illustration, the
case Of the President of the United States
In the conscientious discharge of his
high and solemn duties, he found himself
mpeled to refuse his sanction to a certain
party measure which he believed would be
injurious to his country, and in violation of
her written constitution. What did his oppo-
nents? Did they take up the subject with
the candor and decorum BETTING the dis
cussion of great principles before an en-
lighed people? Did they spread out clear,
full and fair statement Of facts and proceed
by arguments drawn therefrom, to show
that the President was wrong, that his prin-
ciples were unsound, his conduct inconsst-
ent with his previous opinions, or his mo-
tives corrupt? No. They began at once
to rail against him. They denounced him
as a corrupt, perjured, imbecile and peril
dous traitor. When asked for facts they
only renewed the torrents of epithets, they
exhausted the vocabulary Of billngsgate,
and said things, and made charges against
the Chief Magistrate of their country,
which, if true. should have consigned him
to the penitentiary or the gallows. Those
WHO ulduc tHSul hucW tllCy WeIC UNI NC,
and uttered th9m only to rouse the passions
Of the multitude. We need not stop now
to say how they failed of their object, or to
thank the people for the righteous judgment
they are now passing upon them. Our ar
gument is, that this mode Of conducting po-
ltical controversies is grossly insulting and
derogatory to the char acter of the Ameri-
can people 1t is sinking them to a miser-
ably low level. 1t should be reformed al
together.
There is no science more noble and Dig
nfied in itself than the science Of politics
in other words, the science of govern
ment. The well-being of man, all the
rights of personal property, institutions and
laws, the freedom, protection, prosperity,
advancement, and elevation of the human
race, are all involved in it. To obtain
perfect understanding of it is an effort wor-
thy of the most exalted intellect and broad
est philanthropy. In past ages, and amongst