Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-16
From the Neu York Tribune
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS.

The President Of the United States has come
and gone. If there were few to rejoice at the
earlier event. there are many most heartily CRATE
lul for the later. The interruption Of the stea.
dy, calm pursuits OF life by such disturbing cause
we consider most unfortunate; and much more 10
be lamented is the prevalence of rowdyism
which on an opportunity like this is sure TO pre-.
vail.
The respect we entertain for the office induces
US TO hope that Mr.. Polk will at bis earliest lei
sure hasten 10 the scene Of his ofliciu duties and
remain there I'LL the expiration Of his term; for
we are sure that his presence among the people
will have the inevitable tendency Of bringing the
office itself into disreputo. There is nothing in
his previous history, nothing in his character, re-
putation for ability, or personal appearance, TO
dignity the office he holds. He came in as an
experiment, he will 90 out failure.
When he signifed his intention or visiting New
York, we were induced by pardonable sense
Of hospitality, 10 lorbear the expression Of dis.
sent Such might have been considered uncour-
teous and churIish. The person who even for.
ces himself unasked upon our hospitality, makes
by the very act stronger appeal to our cour
tesy.
But he has gone gone, rs we trust, not mean
ing it dsrespeclully or unkind ly, never TO re-.
turn as incumbent Of an office 10 which the blind.
ness of portion Of his counIrymen has elevat.
ed him. Relieved, therefore, from the discharge
Of a burdensome hospitality, we sec no impro
priety in giving vent 10 u candid expression of
our opinions.
We protest, therefore, most earnestly against
the common dictim that all consideration Of the
prison should ho merged in the office; that it is
The President and not The individual we are call.
ed upon to receive. Such doctrine is in iheo.
~ most lOacious, and would be most disastrous
q practice.
1t has regal aspect. The King, by the con.
stituton of England, can do no wrong. What
ever crimes againt the State or against Nature,
Charles or George may commit. THE KING is
sill in theory innocent, and in reality nvuncra.
bic. "The Divinity that doth hedge q King"
saves his man-nature from the danger Of punish
mcnt. The individual and the Office being thus
in the idea and in the Constitution inseparube,
it follows that all homage, all manifestations of
respect, all services are rendered to the King
and to the King alone. Whatever may bo the
mortality of individuals, the King never dies.
But our Constitution knows no such slavish
fcature-nor would the character of our people
tolerate its insertion. All the forms Of the great
est liberty are serupuously regarded IN our
National and State Constitutions, and are watch
ed over by the slriclest scrutiny Of suspicious
people.
But what the necessity Of such devotion to
mere forms, if silently, but necessarily their spi.
rt is evaporatngl There is a latent spirit in
every form which, unapproprioled or abused,
works injury.
The President Of the United States is entitled
TO respect so long as he respects himself or the
office which he holds, and no longer. Ii he ne.
glect to discharge, honestly and efficiently, the
duties of his oiIice--if he consult private or po-
Iilical animosilies rather than the political good
If he be false TO his OATH his conscience or his
word-so far from being entitled TO respectful
he should encounter everywhere
he contempt or indignation ofthe community.
We conlound the distinction between right and
wrong when we yield 10 an unworthy President
he appreciation and distinction that should be
recorded only to the good; and they who lend
themselves to such hypocrisy are equally cuIpa.
Die as he who is its object.
The Constitution has itself provided for the
exigency of a faithless Executive, by prescribing
impeachment for his punishment and our safety. |
And though the time may never arrive when
uch an extreme measure must be resorted to,
he bare fact offs incorporation into that solemn
instrument forewarns us of the danger to be ap.
and bids us beware that on our part
10 act be committed which shall directly or in.
reclly seem to favor Executive irresponsbi.
ity.
We do so, when we lavish favors upon an un.
worthy President; we encourage him TO believe
hat the sanctity of his Office excuses his derelc.
ion of the duties thereof; that however iaithless
D the high trust reposed in him, he will be re-
eived, during The term Of his election, with all
onor and courtesy and distinStion as President
{ the United States.
The lip-scrvice too we render on such occa.
ions is still more injurious to us than its uncon.
cous subject. Never was hypocrisy yet prac-
sed, but that the resilient force struck most ia
ally upon the actor. 1t degrades him in his
wn esteem and makes him less sensible 70 9th.
rs regard.
The faint applause that Mr.. Polk received
,hile here must have convinced him-unless he
'as proof against conviction-that his image
ad no abiding place IN the hearts Of the people.
We do not intend to assign on the present occa.
ion the full and sufficient reasons of his great
1t is enough here to say that
enersl doubt of the honesty Of his intentions,
,ant of confidence in his promises, and diSsalis-
action with his official conduct, have availed 10
make him, with all parties, the most unpopular
,erson that ever filled the Executive Chair. 1t |
5 q personal and not mere political dislike: it
attaches to his character as well as 10 his actions,
and itprevails everywhere.
We do hope, therefore, for his sake, as well
ns our own, that on his return he will pass thrO'
the city as private ciuzen. We believe that
he himself will be by that time convinced of the