The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-19

ing masses are illuminated by instruction
equal, at least, to the knowledge Of the few
who are interested in being entrusted witt
power The only difference between Mr.
PoLK's bids for the public favor, and, through
1t for power, and those Of other individuals
lies in degree. He said in the Kane let
ter, that he was in favor Of promoting
nome industry His Legislative career
showed the manner, in which he considered
home industry could be best promoted, land
that was, by precisely such tariff as that
framed by Mr.. WALKER. When we had
finished our analysis Of Mr. PoLK's legisla-
tive career, and finding, that he was con-
sistent with his Kane letter, we offered il
to several Wing presses for publication, in
order to enighten the public judgment, as
to his true position on the tariff question, but
it was declined, on account Of its length
The Baltimore Patriot published an abridg-
ment of it, but It had no effect, for the peo-
pie of Pennsylvania, chose to interpret the
Kane letter as a high tariff letter, and gave
him the electoral vote Of their State for Pre-
sident
Passing from his Legislative career, and
following him into the Presidential chair, we
find him exhibiting an entirely new charac-
ter. Disdaining to follow in the footsteps Of
the Democratic Presidents Of the Jefferson
dynasty, who were content with walking
within the pale Of the constitution, he seized
uponthe sceptre Of Jackson and convertedth the
Presidential Office into anumpiate. His
mind was Of that caste, and his party-habits
were SO strong that he could not have done
otherwise. During his unumprate, he did
great things and little things, honorable
things and things not honorable, glorious
things and things not glorious. All unmn-
pirates are liable to just such ups and downs,
just such progresses and reverses. The
error was, in his not being content to walk
by the constitution. Where he did walk by|
it, his administration Of public affairs will
compare with that Of any other President we
have ever had. His constitutional acts were
full Of glory, full Of honor, full Of wisdom
His assumptions Of power were fearful, and
had he been endowed with the ron-will of
JACKSON, we do not believe the Presiden-
tial sceptre would have passed from his
hands. He failed in his personal and official
intercourse with the men Of his own political
faith--he failed to keep their fdelity-to
arrest their affections to make them fear
him.
That Mr.. Polk was honest in his designs
and purposes, was conscientious in the dis
charge Of his duties, was sincere in thinking,
that he was right, even in his usurpations Of
power, we have never for moment doubt
ed but we never could applaud or approve
| Of the manner in which he executed the Of
| fee Of the Federal Executive. There was
wanting that straightforward, open, frank and
inAexibly truthful department, which should
characterize every public man, in his inter-
course with the people. There was too
much heartless fnessing, too much attention
paid to the influence Of government acts
upon the public mind, too little regard paid
to absolute truth and too much paid to the
power Of diplomacy, to win the confidence
even Of his own party friends, much less o.
his opponents. The vice and sin Of truth
lessaess, in high places, is sad omen fol
any nation. 1t had eaten SO deeply into
the vitals Of public men, when Mr.. POLK
became President, that, if he had never been
lin public life before, he would have been
subjected to most sore temptation. We
can never expect the water to rise higher
than its fountain, and we had no right to
|expect him to rise above and beyond the
temptations Of existing political morals, which
had been so terribly abased by the corrup-
|tions Of the previous fifteen years.
The political friends of Mr.. Polk, may
feel offended at the freedom, witt: which we
have ventured to speak of his life, and we
have no doubt, that many Of his political op-
ponents will condemn us for seeing any good
lin the late President, but we care not foy the
opinions of friends or opponents on an &C ca
sion like the present. We are announcing
the passing away from among men, Of dis
| tinguished public servant, and his memory
demands no sacrifice Of the truth. We have
endeavored to forget the prejudices Of party
in approaching the subject, and have, with
out Tear or favor, given our honest opinion
respecting his character and public services
We are too near the events Of the Mexican
war, to do him full justice for his .participa-
ton in that event. 1t is well known, that we
were war man, and though we did not agree
with the policy, which brought on the wal
and which closed it, we believe that the
time will come, when the conduct Of thai
war, with all its imperfections, will be re.
rarded NO nne of fha r,,o,t brilliant achieve.