The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-19
THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL WING
cABrsET SKETCHES.
THE PAPERS OF Arr,ous.--so. vr.--sEw SER


Of those in power Panegyric, and merited approval
are very different things ! speak Of men as the,
re-particulary OF public men, is duty, and wher
we can speak avorably, II is most agreeable duty
II not only causes those who deservedly receive com
mendation to grow In favor with themselves but i
also gives TO others more agreeable views Of humar
nature, and stimulates them to virtue, through The
hopes OF at least portion OF her worldly rewards
The man who Is dead to merited applause can never
be alive to that generosity and magnanimity Of soul
which alone are entitled to applause. There is still
another inducement TO appropriate eulogy upon pub
lie men. They enjoy but few Pleasures and suffer
many and heavy penalties. Their position, there.
fore is a matter rather Of commiseratlon, than envy
when 1t is rightly understood
ambition, Is at Distance
A g0odly prospcct--teinpng TO the view
The height delights us, as the mountains top
Looks beautiful, because lis near TO Heavn--
We little think how sandy's the foundation. r..
What storms will batter-and what tempest shakeit"
In addition TO this, Islander, vituperalion obliquy
are often unsparingly cast upon those who occupy
distinguished posts, If for no other reason than to
degrade them from their proud level to something
nearer an equality with those by whom they are de-
famed Certainly then, 1t should be the pleasure Of
just and impartial men Especially as the objects Of
assault are not permitted TO defend themselves) to
stand forth in behalf of those, whom the country
has thought fit to honor,
For my part shall censure no one shall leave
those who deserve censnre to themselves, but the
same principle that orbds me TO censure, moi
forbid me to approve.
WILLIAM BALLARD PREsros, the Secretary of the
Navy like his colleagues in the Cabinet, came
into office, not through intrigue management but
ali - L. u.
cations. The office may be said, therefore, to have
sought him. and II is much to be doubted, whether in
yielding up to lis Establishments, he did not consult
rather his patriotism than his personal interests. In
deed it may be said Of all the heads Of department
that instead Of being taken from among the drones
'of life, they have been withdrawn from the most nc
tive, extensive, lucrative, and honorable employ
ments. know that official elevation is aurng,
but really, while looking at the sacrifices that all
these gentlemen have made--in fortune, in enjoy
ment in social and domestic happiness, in almost all
that makes life desirable cannot help thinking OF
the homely, but pithy illustration Of the proverb
They have paid too dearly for their whistlel" Blu,
f they are willing to endure it, surely ire have no RICH,
Ito complain. While patriotism demands sacrifice
let it always be remembered, glory reuards it.
tits not merely the loss of the enoyments referred
|tothat is to be deplored is the accumulation, d.
|versity and weight of care which the higher and
more responsible officers Of State are inevitably sub
|jected. In government like this, with a territory
NEARLY equal to that of Russia.-with people pos
sessed of intellectual and moral energy far beyond
|any other portion Of tho world stimulated by the
oftiest principles Of national liberty-where every
man is the country's standard bearer, or sort OF
chartered monarch-where public officers are looked
upon as mere public servants-it is impossible tc
give universal satisaction-and even ngraitude is
sometimes the only return, for tho most entire self
devotion to public good.
We need not refer to the annals Of antiquity-tc
the example Of republican Greece and Rome-tt
show that such has always been the case. II is in
|separable from our nature. It has existed in al
countries and in all times Ha
Evils that cannot be cured, and in which We our.
selves are participants, ought not to be complained
Of: complaint only serves to increase them. Tn,
cabinet officers therefore, who are philosophers al
well as statesmen, while they possess al the taen
required for the performance of their duties, hav
all the fortitude necessary to the endurance of I'm
merited reproacb.
have no personal acquaintance with Mr.. PMS
ITos. have never seen him, but am not gnoran
Iof his professional and political career. He is tn
youngest man in the cabinet; but though young ii
years he Is matured in learning and experience AM
all that is requisite in order to the full development
Of his powers, is that familiarity with the details O
the Naval Office which short time will afford
What is mainly required at the head Of tho Nav,
and Army Departments over and above competen
skill, is what is generally called Mgh-mindedneSs-
that is TO say chlvaric liberal and resolute cours
Of policy, corresponding essentially with our mill
tary character The State, and Treasury and Hom
Departments are of different order. They involv
|great elaboration, great research great foresight
and calculation, and thorough comprehension Of thu
resources, liability and foreign and domestic policy
of the nation. All these duties are confded to abt
hands; ability, however, is not enough. Equa
strength among members of the same cabinet, wher
brought into conflict, is worse than weakness Har
mony the subsection of the pride Of opinion ano
mere sefshness to the general good is the best safe
|guard Of the interests of the republic. But, above
|al, NTH this administration, courtesy and candor
truth and honesty, are indispensable. Don't under
stand, from this suggestion, that am novice in
political concerns; but be assured the day has gone
10y, when hypocrisy, and reachery, and trickery
|blnshlessy exhibited themselves in high places
while virtue was compelled to wear mask, or was
kicked out of doors. When the Duke Of yelling.
ton, at grand Diet of the European nations sur.
rounded by such men as Metternich 4 N esselrode.
land others Of that stamp was inquired OF, what he
required for England? he, like blunt and gallant
soldier frankly stated his country's claims, which
were at once allowed, under the impression Of the
Machiaveian of the old school of policy, that the
Iron Duke merely presented his demands for the
purpose of effecuating concealed and Interior
objects. He was sincere-he got all he asked, and
|al he aeanted Honesty always, in all situations,
Twill prove to be the best policy.
ATTICUS.
DIED,