The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-07-07
HONESTY THE BEST PoLICY.D


"HoNESTY THE BEST POLICY"
Those who are acquainted with the character
of the political presses Of this country will be
amazed TO learn that the above motto is actual
ly placed at the head OF a column of editorial
matter in the Globe of Wednesday last The
most VIGOROUSLY profgate sheet in America,
which never scripled at iasehood respecting a
political adversary, which never corrected mis-
statement, however conclusive the proof of err
ror, aud which never had any principles but
those Of the "three loives and the five fshesn-
this sheet has The bfazen elIrontery to talk OF
honesty, as if its editors were capable of appre-
ciatDg the existence of such virtue in the hui
man breasl Why il was but the other day
that II openly avowed, that, il being more prof
table TO be with a majority than minority it
was determined to consult its profit. The late
John Forsyth, whose democracy had an earlier
date than the coalition between Clay and Ad-
ans, pronounced this same Globe filthy sheet,
with which no decent man would contaninate
himself. Its vugarlty and indecency in the sup
port Of Mr.. Van Buren, did more to estrange
from him the respect Of honorable men than any
other cause. Despised by the whole body of the
American people, and scorned by its own polit-
ical associates, the rbaldry alrocious falsehood,
and total restitution of all respect for the de-
cencies of social intercourse and the relations
of private life, rendered il one Of the most po-
tent weapons against Mr.. Van Buren's election
II was circulated far more freely by his oppo-
nents than by his friends Aud had Mr.. Van
Buren, succeeded Francis p. Blair would have
been obliged to return to Ashland, or some other
part of Kentucky, TO muse upon the ingraIilude
Of politicians.
But the overthrow Of his party was to him
good fortune. Enriched by the spoils of the
public printing, to the amount of hundreds OF
thousands of dollars, and having The command
OF press at the SCAT of Government, he soon
perceived tlat discounted party would not b.
likely TO incur The very heavy expense of estat-
fishing another. He avaled himself of bis posi-
lion and assumed to be the organ and the oracle
of his party In this he vas favored by the
absence from the city of the able leaders whose
counseis and whose opinions had, TO some ex-
tent, counteraoed his violence. Col Benton
became his ally and coadjutor. Purse-proud
and insoent as Blair was, his arrogance received
new vigor and strength by such an association.
Henceforth The IL o became the Diclators and
The Tyrants Of the party, and consu liing their
own ambition and cupdty, they sought 10 drive
the minority IN Congress into Fictitious oppo-
sition to every measure Of the Administration.
Witness then attempts to prevent the confrma-
Of tho TT ,ba IL
were determined to quarrel with President Ty-
Ter aud his recommendations, and to oppose his
measures, wnalever tney might be. The OBJ
ject of Col Benton ha, been made NANTES, by
the disclosures of his own friends Ii was and
is, to make Mr., Van Buren, President at all
hazards TO the Dem jcrltc party, in order to in
sure succession to himself A Southern Presi-
dent, whether Tyler or Cahoun, would defeat
his schemes. Hence they were both the objects
OF his viruence, and of the hostility OF the
Globe. As to Blair, the "prof," of the public
printing was the sole object of all his Efforts
BY union with Mr. Van Buren, and Mr.. Ben
ton, aud by rendering his paper necessary to the
party, he anticipated success, and in magma
lion gloated over the countless thousand, that
would follow his election as Printer to the two
Houses.
And now, for the accomplishment of his
schemes of sordidness, and to push the political
fortunes Of Col. Benton, an indiscriminate war
OF determination has been commenced upon
President Tyler and his friends, and upon all
who accept Office under him.
Every measure of the Administration is to be
misrepresented and traduced; every effort to
involve the country in new dispute with Eng
land is 10 be made; every obstacle that reck-
less ingenuity can devise, is to be thrown in the
way, and stupid cries of coalition ~ are to be
uttered by men whose whole lives have been a
series Of bargains. And all this is to be done
under the hypocrtical motto, Honesty is the
best policy! The reader is prepared 10 give
Blar's definition Of honesfy.