The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-07-25

approved in principle by Washington, by
Jefferson, by Madison, by Monroe, and ev-
en- by jackson, is more truly Democratic
than its opponents are willing 10 admit
The supporters of James K. Polk claim to !
be the Democratic party, and assert that
their measures, whatever they may be, and
however they NAV change them, are, beyond
all doubt, and without any mistake, exclu-
sively Democratic. The political abolition
lists, who support Mr.. Birney for the Presi-
dency, base their claims on the great decla-
ration, that 'Fallmen are born free and equal"
and assert that there can be no true Demo
cracy without abolition. And the great Ty-
Ter party claim that the whole responsible
ties of Democracy rests with them, or as
their great nominating convention lately ex-
pressed it in the preamble to a resolution
"Whereas the Tyler Democratic National
Conventions having nearest their heart the
success of the great principles of Democra-
cy in the coming Presidential contest
therefore, TO this end, be it resolved" &c.
Amid all these conflicting claims where
does the truth lay, and how is a plain and
honest enquirer TO find ii? Not 10 discuss
this question, | may say, that however much
OiiNO iioy punt ny pOAtiNoi III
umphs, or whatever advantages demagognes
may gain through political excitement, the
great mass of the people of all parties, who
the true Democracy of the country, have no
interest in politics except 10 secure the bless
ings of good government;-and that in all
excitements, where people suffer their pas
sions to get the better of their judgements,
fthey are more likely to be misled to their
own injury, than to learn the truth to their
advantage.
am aware of the great difficulty Of arriv-
ing at the truth on any disputed matter. :
Strong partizans almost always find their in
terest in disappearing the opinions or The
5 measures of the opposite party. Many will
f neither read nor listen to any thing coming
from a political opponent. Many others will
receive the strongest assertions and ~clearest
proof against their proconceived opinion, as
the ictions and forgeries of the enemy
And there is always existing in party times,
an honest and dishonest difference of opin-
ion. There can be no honest difference
J about facts excerpts through ignorance
We have a striking example of the extent to
which this ignorance exists, and is fostered
4 by a wilful misrepresentation, to the disputes
] now existing between parties as to the ex-
' penses ofGovernment. The expenses, af-
f ter the ccounts are settled for each year,
: are a positive sum;-yet almost every man
b we meet has his own idea of what that sum
\ is. Here an honest difference of opinion ex.
tsSs< among the people. throuahthe msre.
|. presentations of public men; and many are
Ignorant of the facts from inability to distin-
guish the true from the false reports. On
e such matters as the tariff, and the public
: lands, there may always exist honest differ
] Eences among the most intelligent men, as tc
the effect which any propose arrangement
may have OH public affairs; but though hon
V est differences ofopinion will exist as to the
e prospective effect of any measure, such diff
n erence cannot be honest as to positive effect:
produced, except through ignorance. Not
If withstanding all this, and the fippancy with
d which reckless charges of falsehood are
S made against editors Of both political par
. ties, the number ofactual political falsehoodl
in circulation is much smaller than the pre-
JUDGED of either party will believe. Man,
r of the apparent contradictions OF argumen
J. rather than of fact.-the insinuation of false
hood rather than its open preparation. Blu
IF the public more and more require some
re means of ascertaining the correctness of pc
litical truth;-the adoption ofsome measur
a which shall check that flood of federation wit
which unprincipled politicians attempt t
Id overwhelm their opponets. And this is nc
required for the sake of candidates,-but 70
Of the sake truth,-for the sake of public virtue
sc -for the sake OF correct political a%ction,-
ID in volving as these do, the honest administra
ton ofthe Government and the perpetuity c
" our republican institutions. As the Pres
at dental contests in future years will be Cal
50 RED on among comparatively newer men
d the necessity Of shielding the public min'
from such corruptions or purifying tn
sources of political information,-of Ell
IT. couraging the freest discussion while false
hood shall be discou ntenanced, will ever
d. year become more and more apparent, unit
the honest among political editors of all pa
ties will be forced in their own defence
unite in an endeavor to effect so importar
an object.
~ There is another matter involved in tn
ia action of parties, of much importance, an
that is, whether the Constitulionality of an
matter is forever 10 remain an open que
no ton. In law, the decision of the superiC
Mt courts are taken as the true exposition of IL
ro- meaning ofany disputed provision, and it S
,y remains until altered by future enactment
on Should it not be so indifferences of opinio
lie as to the meaning of the Constitution? Bl
ad now, each succeeding President and par
Die CONSTITUTES the Constitution to suit their ow
err. views, and administers it as they chose TO u
es. derstand it.
les The contests of parties during the la