The Whig creed. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1845-1846, 1845-11-29
THE IMPoLICY. OF DISHONESTY ILLUS
TRATED IN THE CASE OF las. POLK


icy"-is true. Ii is as true in politics AZ in
anything else; and. yet, a large number Of
persons who get their daily bread bv pol.
itics disregardit. Each one of those pro.
fessional politicians would undoubtedly saw
that the adage is true in the abstract and
true in its general application to mankind.
although they seem 10 think themselves sim
gled out, in the mysterious dspensations OF
fate, as exceptions from the general rule, and
believe that they practice dishonesty with
out periling their characters, or their chan
ces of publicstation. We doubt very much
Ehowever if any one of those, who have ha-
bitually discarded honesty and practiced
deceitfulness, can be found who has not at
tinnes regretted his course, not SO much per-
lhapssbecause of. an uneasy conscience, as
because OF the popular distrust he has
brought on himself Ii is true in. all the de-
partments Of business, politics included, that
temporary advantages are some times Sc
cured by dishonesty; but il is no less true
that honesty in the long run is the best
policy.
Among those trading politicians, who
seem to have proved that dishonesty is the
wisest worldly policy. Mr.. James K. Polk
stand conspicuous not because Of the supe-
riority of his station. 1t is difficult for the
disciples of decet TO point to an instance in
which dishonesty procured person more
worldly advantages than il did for the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate Of this nation. To
his wilful, bold, premeditated deception. he
lis indebted for his present position. Had
The been honest he would now be an incon-
siderable man on the banks of Duck river
Does any one fancy that Folks condition
lis worthy Of human envyl Would q wise
man, "a genuine philosopher accept it at the
tremendous and incaculable cost that its
present possessor paid for il, They who
think that brilliant position is a sufficient re-
/ enumeration for the pangs OF an outraged
conscience, for the Reproduction of all good
men, for self-coniempt and the frowns of
high Heaven, may wish to be in the place
: of James X. Polk. But all good and wise
. men concur in believing that an approving
v conscience is the .'pearl of great price," a
treasure of infinitely more worth than mere
worldly station. He is fool who would bar
ter away the smiles Of Heaven for any adj
5 vantage that wealth or worldly honor can
bestow, and to this class of fools belongs
] James X. Polk"
;. "In 1914, this same gentlemen. who had
l. been ssbreathing threatcnings and slaughter
against protection, became, by the most as
N tonshing and miraculous revolution of the
wheel of fortune, the loco<oco candidate foi
the Presidency. A letter was written bS
ri a Pennsylvania to ascertain from Mr.. Poll
wether his opinions on the subject of th'
tariff were such as find favor in pennsyl
vana."
- "In this celebrated Juggling letter. the
writer turned his back completely on wha
:. he had said the year before whena can
- didate for Governor in Tennessee.
In 1913, he declared emphatically iha
he had steadily and at all times opposed IN,
protective system; and, in June lS44, h,
declared that he was in favor Of reasonabl
incidental protection to our home indusir'
and always sanctioned it. The statement
conflict, and Polk was guilty as they prov
of dishonesty Of the most sneaking aud con
n, temptible kind. On the strength of his in
sincere hypocriical uumeaning twattle a
bout protecting home indusiryhe was ever,
ly where in those sections where protection
was popular, represented as better ans
truer friend of the protective policy tina,
thateminent statesmen whose name will b
forever associated with the glory of tn
:. American System.
This was the result Polk desired. III
wished 10 practice a fraud on those VIII
were SO ignorant Of his deserts as to repos
confidence in his statements, and he sue
ceeded. They believed him honest whe
he committed high treason against the ma
lie iestv of truth. He owes his present ex
,r- ternal advantages to fraud and as might ma
"a turaly be expected, his seat is not on rose
RI leaves. He is in aveneraled chair, but il
at cushion is thick with thorns 10 MS sensib
ms lily. He is undoubtedly the unhappiest m,
I'M most distressed man in the counirv Fa
in him snot the luxury ola quiet conscience
wi The serene heavens look down Teproacl
rk. fully on his head. Not for his ears is III
w. music of bird songs and the melody of ger
mr. tie winds. The flowers of the spring a
for ford no delight to his eye, the fruits {
summer pail on his taste, and the splendol
of autumn do not whisper their hymn, s
S. sweet and so elevaiing, to his heart. He;
ms. ven, nor earth, nor the changing season
n with all their varied and countless beautie
can confer any delight on him. He is do.
10 red IN all sides nv the most heooa rlv =, ra