Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-26
For the Indiana State Sentinel.
Attack and Defence.

In the present prosperous period OF republic, II
appears strange that the unanimy of people
should be destroyed by the spleen Of malignant and
envlous patisans, who, in their unhoy desire of de-
stroylng the present political administration,
sorting 10 every means 10 accomplish their purpose.
They have not coolly deliberated upon the course
they pursuing and when the fierce excitement of
the day has been allayed they viii survey their
duct, and censure their mprudent excess of misguld
ed patriotism.
One of the misfortunes of success is to be the
slant butt of detraction and, truly, occasion for
censure has been omitted be produced against the
democratic party, during the present When
our principles and motives have been attacked or con-
tested they have been repealed with unequal energy
and thus this strong princp of sedefece has been
the prolific of endless disputes. Although it is
proper to encourage free interchange of opinion
among both the masses, and heads of parties, yet the
morbid tendency of the popular mind has, fear, d.
verified the original intentions of institutions from
their proper channels.
If it be true that the people good Judges Of their
interests yet they ought also TO consider that their
representatives better qualified administer the
affairs of the general government than themselves.
If they were not, the people would be liable to the
charge of very strange contradiction, IN electing
men in whose wisdom they did not place as much
confidence their
These preliminary remarks, we hope, will be suffi-
cient explanation of what follows
Every politician of ordinary calbre must have fire.
quently endeavored 10 imagine the effects of this war,
after the present generation has passed away and the
conduct of the actors has been submitted to the in
specton of the impartial historian. Those who form
their judgment with regard to our political action at
the present time, have egregiousy deceived them
Selves and If they live to the full effect OF the
actions of the present administration, will be aston
ished at their presumption and want of forest ght. But
1t appears impossible TO dissipate the preudices of
al.
ton and am not but that the only proper way OF
reforming such men, is to subject them to the test of
the most pointed rdicue.
They initiate against the honors of war, unmind-
u of the glorious reaction that will inevitably ensue
and of the still happier prospect Of longcontinued
peace after the great obstacle to national prospe
rIty has been removed. If they would properly con-
slider present situation, they would that the
door to boundess fields of enterprise and advance
ment has been opened. The calamltous pursuit Of
never intended for useless acquisitions and
in this boosted age of christian charity and sympa-
thizing benevoence, can there be so blind TO
believe that only contendng for the gratifca
ton of the puere lust of conquest
Is ii possible that the scales have not yet fallen
from the eyes of these modern Soons, who profess to
In the future nothing but disunion and civil COM
motion! Why a senator of barbarian council
would have blushed to display such consummate gno-
rance when, perhaps, tIesfa of his country hung
suspended upon the decision of the hour. The patrl
OTIS of the opposition profess to trembe at the inlu
ries they say about 10 be inflicted upon be-
loved country if So why they not the first to
pei the aggressons OF insdOus foe, and thus tri
umphantly vndIcate themselves from the heavy charge
of treason and dlshonor, which We are reluctantly
compelled to believe truly applied to their
accountable conduct The people have suffered too
long from the defamation of federal orators, and the
reckless vituperation of corrupted press
Is this the encouragement that the great paragon of
republics holds out to those states that are endeavor
ing to free themselves from despotsm We believe
that public opinion has already secretly prescribed
this infamous scheme of double treachery. Do the
Wings really suppose they can far impose on the
creduty Of the masses, as to impress them with the
belief of every malicious falsehood that they may
choose utter Let them beware, for when the de-
cepton is discovered, the indignant rebuke of injured
millions, will be the terrible response to the ominous
predictions Of their leaders.
If clear question of Justice defined and
instituted no one could be more convincing than the
calculation of conflicting relations. in the Presi
dents message and other public documents. But the
faith of some men is remarkably weak, when their
time-servng expectations in danger of being
baled and wing editors seem determined to receive
ample portion of the prey, if it be procured by
unqualified abuse, and wilfu misrepresentation We
sincerely believe, that there is not period in the his
tory of the world, repete with instances Of hypo-
critical fidelity to party views, is exhibited
among those who their party merely for partys
sake. No doubt but that if an exchange Of situations
could be miraculously Effected wing President
placed in the chair of State, and they believed that it
would rebound to their interest to prosecute this moral
invasion. they would loudly denounce its opposers
as they ready hur their nvectives against the
party that has outsripped them in the race of popu
larty. Let them know aud feel that they en-
gagged in a common cause with the other party, and
that the very soul Of nation is bound up in The phi
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