The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-17

shoulders We have never betrayed these lit
tie condolences; but sometimes our Democratic
contributors have failed to keep their own
secrets.
The worst that we have said of the DEMO
Gratis Cor what they consider the worst) is,
that they find SO little that is Objectionable in
the principles and policy of this Vino Admin
lstration, that they are reluctant to assail il.
We have said that they are not prepared 10
make an issue seriously on a single proposition
| Of either N The annual messages IN ,chieh Pre-
| sidem FILLMORE has laid do,cn The policy ot
| ins administration. This would seem 10 be
about the worst thing Gin Democratic eyes)
| that any one could say of the Democratic party
| or of Democratic principles; and we have in
| dulged no malice in saying tive have thought
il very high compliment. II there is any
misrepresentation" about this, we should be
pleased TO be informed where it lies. So OF the
measures of The Administration, we might well
make the same remark that we have made in
regard to its principles and policy. But here
we should be compelled to make one exception.
We admit that Mr.. GwIN and Mr. HUNTER,
Democratic Senators, have both been sufficient
ly adventurous to make an attack upon the Ad-
minlstration; but we approhend that, after the
| reply of Mr.. PEARcE, few Senators will think
worth while 10 repeat the experiment
What Mr.. FITCH means, no doubt, is "dis-
agreeable representation mis- represen-
taton Let US illustrate the difference. Sup
pose that we should cite a passage from Mr..
FITcn's speech in the following words
cit was Mr. Richie who edited the Union dur
ing the tendency of the Compromise measures it
was him who advocated those measures defended
their friends. and assailed their enemies it was
him who fought through in this city the Demo
cratic editorial fight in behalf of the Compro-
'mae."
Now, suppose we should represent that Mr.
FITcH is regent of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition, which was established for the purpose
ofdifi'using knowledge, and among other things,
we suppose, a knowledge of English grammar
among men. II is evident enough that Mr.
FITCH thinks an officer of the Smithsonian In
slitution no nconsderable person, from the
style in which he snubbed Mr. STANTON for
venturing 10 make suggestion in regard to its
publications. "IHs Judgment" (meaning Mr..
STANToN's,) said Mr.. FITcH, ito be consulted
as to the character of these publications
Well, that is richl" Suppose, in view Of all these
facts, we should represent that it does not
become Smithsonian regent to say Of any
gentleman that cit was him who advocated
certain measures" any more than it would TO
say-''him advocated those measures''-or
"hini fought through the fight" Now in this
there would be no unscrupulous, OF unwarranted,
or unmessured ms representation but it might
be representation not altogether agreeable 10
Mr.. ElTcH, because il. is true.
Or, suppose that We should copy from the
official report of this very speech of Mr.. FlrcH
passage in the following words:
at is surely our duty to guard our contingent
fund, and all other Government funds entrusted
{ to our guardianship, far possible, from un
necessary expenditure. II the other branch Of
the Legislative department do not choose TO excr-
else vigant watchfuness over their contingent
fund, but permit il to be squandcred for the bcne-
fit Of partisan politicians, in payment Of the
eItravsgant wine and cigar bills of an adven-
turcr, who may wish to draw upon our guiblity
9 for his own purposes, their example, - say the
least Of il. does not recommend itself for our
: adoption"
Suppose that we should represent that Ian
guage Of this kind, charging the Senate with
"squandering" money for the benei, Of "par
tisan politician" and assailing the Senate for
paying the tavern bills Of gentlemen invited
here as the guests of Congress, and SO enter
tained-is not only supplementary and in
decorous, but most unjust and offensive TO those
who We're the recipients, we should hope Of no
begrudged hospilalties. Would Mr.. FITcn de
sire TO see the Senate haggle over a tavern bill.
and place its own guests on a short allowance Of
wine and cgarsl Now, if we should under
take 10 show the points in this paragraph, and
comment on them as justice requires, Mr.
FlTcH would be very apt TO imagine that we
were misrepresenting a Democratic man or
Democratic principles. Is it a Democratic
principle 10 measure a good mans liquor and
tobacco 10 him IN ones own house, and cen
sure him for having made too free with it? We
contend that II is not; and that our representa-
ton in the premises would be no mis- represen-
tation, though it might not be altogether agree
able TO Mr.. FITcH.
We VIII not pursue our illustrations any
further. "Mischievous" as the Republic may
be in the judgment Of some gentlemen, il can
not, with truth, DO charged with "misrepre-
sentaiion" Of Democratic men or principles
We are not capable Of misrepresentation, if We
had occasion Tor II; but when we are disposed
TO assail the men principles Of the self styled
our purpose better than any fabrication.
The ~. Lawrence Fisheries.
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