The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-04-07
GOVERNMENT LYING.


lures And why All European Governments
are lie in themselves They are based upon lie,
and it is natural for them to act they are consti
tuted. But there is no reason, no excuse for the
Government of These Uned States to adopt the prac-
ce Of flying, for it is Government deriving its just
powers from the Of the governed, aud, conse-
quenlly truth and honesty the part of the admin
strators Of such government Is plainly the best po-
ICY Yet in the face of this obvious policy our fe-
deral government has been Of late years, and is at
the pr sent moment amazingly given to lying. MIR.
Westcolt's declaration that the General Government
had become one Of the most corrupt Governments
on earth, could we'll be extended, and had be added
that it had become one of the most iying Govern
menls in the world, he would have given the finish
ing and browning touch to his otherwise truthful
portrait of men and things in power at Washing
ton.
Thepractice of lying was evidently incorporated
thousands of his political friends who can testify to
the extent Of this vice under his administration, but
it was the character of lying recommended by the
notorious Machiayel There was some decency
about it. 1t had not got down to the open and
shameless lying which cha#acterizes the conduct Of
the present men in power. It was bad enough, how
ever to revolt the moral feeling of the country, and
Mr.. Van Buren, was hurled out ofpower by an in
dignant constituency. Mr.. Tyler succeeded TO the
virtuous and lamented Harrison, and for time re-
stored the good old policy Of truth, honesty fair
dealing, and frankness in high-places, but foolish
ambition overcame him, and he, too played the Ma
chiavel in the last days Of his administration Of
home affairs to his disgrace and the disgrace Of
the country for which conduct he was suffered 10
depart from the Federal city at the close Of his term
without friend to accompany him to the place Of
his debarkation for his homestead.
On the accession of Mr. Polk there was bright
promise that the reign of truth and upright dealing
would be restored. His Inaugural Address took the
highest possible ground, but the greater part Of it
was forsaken before one moon had passed over his
head. The lying policy was firmly seated IN the
administration of the Government before the middle
Of March, 1916, when the chairs Of the new men
had hardly been warmed by the incumbsnts. Hun
dreds Of MIR. Folks own party saw it and grieyed
over the evil From that day to this the life of the
Administration has been one unbroken series of ly-
ing The vast patronage Of the Executive, during
this whole time, hos been set up for sale in open
4 market to the highest hidder-the price being the
elevation Of Mr.. Polk to the Presidency for second
term-and there are thousands of honest and
sincere Democrats TO whom public Office has been
soIemnIy promised by the Presiden; and his minis:
tiers, and to whom these promises have been broken
was fancied believed that the parties holding the
promises were not TO be trusted in advancing the
| Presidents pretensions for another four years.
Mems feelings have Lsen trifed with, IN the matter
Of Office have been outraged to degree and to an
extent that will scarcely be believed The most solemn
promises of Mr.. Polk and his Cabinet in this partic
ular have been violated with shameessness truly
depIorible. Lying has been the in'ariable accom-
paniment of the gift of office by thu administration,
and even the recipients Of its avr, while they take
the Gift, hold in supreme contempt the giver whose
"dereit is falsehcod" But lying has not alone poi
s,ned the stream of Executive patronage-it has
polluted the intercourse between the Executive and
| Congress. Witness the Oregon question. While
Ithe Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Rela.
tons in the Senate proclaming, as he supposed,
the determination Of the President upon that ques-
ton, communicated solemnly to him (the chairman
Of committee another Senator rises in his place
and announces another and far different deterni-
nation of the President upon this great question.
more unbushing instance Of official lying is not on
record. What was the RESULT The Democratic
Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Relations
resigned his place! E1 uno disco omnes. And
not only has the intercourse between the Executive
and Congress been conducted upon the principle Of
lying, but the communications between the several
branches of the Executive Government, between the
civil administration and the Army and Navy, have
n characterized and deeply sullied by this shame
ice. Il has been rebuked, il is true in many
and especially by the wise, good and gal.
Of "The four pitched battles" but it con.
fyade every avenue Of the Administration
dent down to the Tallcyrand of the
res, spreading its blighting influence
kand even personal intercourse.
be done to correct this terrible evil
~ and truthful men of all parties,
'or !" niss a. WeH sSszat, to unite in declar-
ing that no man ''who loveth sSil moro than good,
and lying rather than to speak righteousness" shall
ever hereafter occupy the chair of the Chief Magis
'te of this people, and let there be elected sue
cesar to Mr.. Polk, man who hates and abhors ".