Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-17
Ero,n "a, Richmnnd Star

We prejudiced enough deny talents TO the
X. Wing under the auspices of j. H. Pleasants-Bu We
have always said, TINT he Of much impulse,
and OF too little discretion, TO conducta political journal
Enquirer.
What confession-and how true. "Too much impulse.
and too little discretion" We ask the reader look
those words and how much they tell; how they bear
ont what have times charged, that politics and
dupcity and the BY politics We mean what
II called such-for politics noble and manly game;
an intellectual tournament; where the spnteng Of pointed
anccs and the crushing of skulls by keen edged battle
does destroy among the combaans the chivarous cour
tesy, which is the highest boast OF upright RsI
politics pure and truly patriotic. False politics is mt A.
cheating, cunning and selfish; and such is nature the
system now, unfortunately, prevailing in this country.
"Too much impulse" That is too open and frank too
honest and free spoken. That is the fault in poldcs
though in all other dealings with the public such
Is the subject OF applause and appreciation.
TOO little discretion" Ave, cunning and crafty
enough Too fond OF the uhole truth. when part only
should be told, according this code. Not willing enough
TO hold out false lights not sufficiently willing blndfold
and cheat the people That's the troube-that the fatal
of which Mr.. Peasants is guiy-not honora
bic man, but a crafty politician.
Such the substance Of the complaint r. against Mr.
Peasants IL rather ncaunOus sentence; there
"too little discretion in the penning Of that; for puts
NUTSHELL the whole modern system Of political tactics.
There must be no impulse" The better promptings Of
honest spirit the purer and nober of the SOUL
must be chilled and frozen up. All must be cold and
feeling marble; and when reaches that, he is fit
for place in the great wigwsm Of the political sachems
but before He must have "diseTetion. All must be
coldbooded and deliberate The passions be seeed
chained down and imprisoned; craft and cunning
in the places Of frankness and generous hearted fairness
and the plain teachings of honest heart be and
curbed and bound with ron that Of proper "s
cretion' may be pursued by the politician. Thu
y we have fallen upon evil times, when discharge
OF public duty, is anaigned for the fault of much
impulse and too little discretion"
But one, familiar with the OF both parties will
think Of accusing the Enquirer Of "too much impulse
and little discretion" Its impulse" is always careful
y tempered by its dseTefOn and the political doctrine in
is broadcast finds ample illustration in s pages; and
SUCH truly and sincerely believe is the bane the
and rapid social poison that destroying the vitality of
institutions We do not how people, drinking
fountain purportng be all truth and frankness yet
really stream only OF cautious "diseretionr polluted
by the dead carcasseS, of all generous and noble
pHIsss can be nourshed and made healthy and strong
by IT, They cannot. Ii poison them; maxi
them sick and faay diseased. We do that the
Enquirer exception; for all the political papers of the
day. and nearly all the political men, of the class.
IL the universally Of this evil the deep has taken
and the universal influence exercises that has impressed
with detesaon Of its character and led attack the
whole system. We take the Enquirers's text; Il
prehensiye, though unwingy frank 1t tells the
truth; exposes the whole SYSTEM aud puts the people
possession of the pass word Of the entire political camp. IL
is-beware Of impulse and especially fail be "ds
Greet"