Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-11-06
Putting POLITICIANS.

The following article from the Cleveland Plain
Dealer, tells good deal Of truth and we believe
that Editors would ultimately find it 10 their advan-
tage to correct the evil.
''We have no patience with certain portion of
the Democratic press in this State which spend half
their leading articles in the fulsome eulogy on
''men" leaving measures and principles to shift for
themselves. Although conceived in the best of mo-
tives. the policy is all wrong 81.
ain the first place, it is wholly uncalled for. No
man, however faithful to his party true ohs
try, has ever done more than his duty-and gener-
Gus public will give him due credit. for this. We
deny any mans power much his right, to place
the newspaper press, the organ of public opinion
der such obligations to him single him out zone
from thousand for especial compensation; and
those who serve their country with the purest emo
tons of patriotism, the last ask it. They are
those, generally who dare not trust their merits with
the people, that figure SO largely in the pa pers and
such mems fame, like the light of candle, be
blown out with single breath. How many are there
now holding places of high honor and trust in the af
fairs of our government who owe their situation en-
tirely TO newspaper consequence and men, too,
least deserving among the people. A TO be
elected township constable must, necessary quail
fcation have had his shame in print"
"This newspaper alteration of 'men" has become a
great national evil The question, ''who is James
X. Polk !" is but another form of asking. why has
the American press spent of ink and
OF paper IN doing honor TO his name! The calling
of Cncinnatus from his plough to take charge of the
destinies of Rome, must be looked upon quite
a fable.
"One of the great mschiefs, resulting from this
putting policy, is that men elected by newspaper grace
instead of acting servants of the people, become
their dictatorS and masters. They are men who from
the beginning aspire beyond their claims, and when
placed in power, viii act beyond their delegated
rights. Their political sympathies are for SELF and
they will act accordance with their personal inter
ests regardless of the people,
"Another danger is this: 1t is said that "mer
change, but principles never" and In attaching SC
much consequence to ''men," subject our princi
elcs however good TO all the frailties and often lcsC
a good measure, by identifying it with bad men.
again do object 10 this degrading man-service
on the ground that it is ant-republican. "Al mer
are created free and equal" says Jefferson. Wha
right, then, have we to say that the ''Lon. j. II, il
SO much better than his neghbor
eff God has endowed him with superior gifts, doe.
not the possession of them give him advantage
enough over his poor neigbor, without calling in TIN
artificial aid. to make the breach which nature ha
made, still wider We say with DiogeneS, ''let eve
~ tub stand on its own bottom" There is enough il
this world to discourage the weak and ignorant, a
well the really virtuous and WISE without the all
of servile press, making invidous comparisons ant
creating favored distinctions; and political Jour
nallst, subserve the cause of Democracy S,
well, and our own true dignity better, than when WI
practise what we preach-'Measures, not men,"