The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-22
DAILY NATIONAL WING.
WASHINGTON, ID. G.
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY q, ls49.
JOHN J. CRITTENDEN.

IN tnese times, When the question ol tue
dissolution of this Union, can be mooted in
the public prints and even on the floor OF
Congress, and not call down one universal
shout Of condemnation, it is refreshing to
turn TO the noble sentiments Of Governor
Crttenden's recent inaugural message to the
Legislature Of Kentucky, IN behalf Of the
inseparability ofthese United States. They
are sentiments worthy Of the man, whose
life has been devoted 10 the public interests,
whose public career has been one Of more
blilliancy for the good he has effected than
usually falls to the lot of mortals. They are
sentiments that every father and every
mother should compel their children to COM
nit to memory, in order that the new genera
ton may grow up and enter upon the duties
Of life with correct views of the priceless
value Of the American Union. g..
John Crittenden is giant in intellect
and giant in heart; Where his reason
leads him 10 go, his affections determine him
to stay, His love for this Union is only
measured by his horror at the thought of its
dissolution. He feels upon this question, as
Washington felt We believe he would
willingly lay down rife to preserve it
This readiness to offer SO great a sacrifice,
is manifest in all his public acts, in all his
private relations The preservation OF the
Union is not i mere passion with hint is
a question OF life and death Would to God,
that all our public men felt and reasoned and
acted about this vital question, as Governor
Crittenden DOES He is worthy disciple
Of the worthy public men Of the revolution,
who framed the system OF government, by
which we are bound together
There is so much to admire and respect
in the character Of Mr.. Crittenden, that we
love to dwell upon its contemplation. His
sincerity Of purpose and his candor are the
broad gateways 10 his heart Love our
neighbor as we love ourself-is the corner
stone ofcbristianity. Mr.. Crttenden prac-
tees this cardinal commandment in all the
relations Of life, whether public or private.
1t has risen with him into practical love of
country, which is only the sublimation of
love Of neiehbor. We do not believe, that,
sordld thought ever found repose in his
conscience, that, thought injurious to his
fellow man ever was suffered to cross his
mind. The grand aim Of all his public &C
tions, appears to have been the public veal;
and, however, he may have erred, if he ever
did err, the man has yet TO be found, who
can Justly accuse him of purposed or wlul
error. This oneness Of purpose, Of inten-
ton, OF action, is gem in his character, that
sparkles with light. 1t is almost impossible
to be his opponent, differ as you may from
him, because he convinces the mind of the
observer of his honesty, his truthiulness and
his sincerity | lis integrity is unquestioned
As a lawyer, Governor Crittenden, is
without superior in the land The struc-
ture of his mind is peculiarly suited to the
practice Of the science of law He sees the
solution Of problemat a glance, and his de-
monstratons are specimens Of legal reason
ing worthy of all imitation. He deals with
law, as science that leads to perfect
knowledge Of the philosophy Of justice. His
labors in this extensive field of human knowl-
edge constitute him scholar Of no light at
tainments He is shining light in the law,
and is without shadow of reproach He
deserves to sit in the highest seat Of legal
learning in this country.
But Governor Crittenden as a statesman
and wise legislator, is, perhaps, better
known, than as a lawyer. In the Senate he
was almost alone in his glory. Who is there
who does not remember his sonorous voice
in that chamber, reSounding with the utter
ance Of sound Wing doctrines in vindication
Of constitutional rights As an orator, he
possessed all the FIRE Of the Grecian with the
genial warmth Of the Roman. lie spoke
as he talked, as he wrote--with ciearness,
boldness, and truthtulness, that won
the way to many Senator's convictions
on more than one occasion. His conf
dence in the people was unbounded, and
has been increased by recent events in no
small degree, and hence his power as an ora
tor. Ills made him practical democrat
Perhaps the national Wing party of the
land, owes to no man in the Union more
than to the abon Of Mr. Crittenden. His
sound judgment has never failed him. His
isarlessness IN avowing his opinions, has
stood him in need, on several occasions in
his public life, and it has never deserted
him. Country before party--is his maxim
and practice, and ought to be the maxim
and practice Of every public man. There is
not an act Of his public lie, that looks to
any thing else than his country.
Frankness and kindness of heart, are pro
minent points in his character. He would
not hurt a living thing. He is correct and
sound thinker, and enjoys great facility and
clearness Of expression. In his personal in
tereGurse, accessible, easy and vet dgnifed