Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-29
THE VIEWS OF A LooKER-oN.


and we often find matter in his letters which we are
tempted to transfer to columns, but are seldom
able to do So Take as a sample the annexed pas
sages from recent letter. They contain much
truth, though not of pleasant character
WASHINGTON. JANUARY l5 1853
AS the periodf change of Administration approaches
the activity in political circles increases in and out of
Washington. The debates in Congress but the ex-
oterc the private movements of the political faith Those
debates for some days past have turned chiefly two
topcsForegn Relations in the Senate, Gardnerism in
the House. The discussion of the latter topic would
superuous just at this moment when the affair is
in the hands of special committee and its special com
mssioners examining into the affair in Mexico But
that old ladys tea-able is troubled by
scandal-mongers than Congress, and edition of
Mrs. Opies % Detraction Displayed would seem to be
called for by the condition Of the public mind, which
such filthy food From candidates for the highest
public Offices downto the obscurest clerk in the Depart
ments character is sae honesty purpose or
purity of life protection The foul sewers of calumny
emptied honorable names, and the public with
distended nostris snuff in the Let any
American of either party recall recoect the caum-
mics of the last both the candidates. and the
retrospect is sufficient sicken him with disgust The
reckless and ruthless disregard of private character
and personal feeling seems to be growing fast into
ona attribute and Congress is made the central depot
for such impurities Exasperated by the recollection of
having encountered similar odum many of the members
of both Houses seem acting that principle which the
stern Roman satrist SO strongly depicted the motive
power with of the Roman despots 80 Eo imaihor
qua ipse tolap1aP-al the pess because he him
self had suffered These remarks intended DO &C.
neral and not specially applicable to this Gardiner case
Of which know little and care less But the great and
growing evil of which complaint is made is calculated
to drive out of public life all Of sensitive and elevated
characters and make the caous and the unprincipled
alone the recipients of public honors
With respect to this Gardnercase discussion charges Of
infinite rascality have been freely banded though
such epithets sugar plums, and Messrs Corwn,
Thompson, Gardiner and others implicated discussed
though they convicted feons. The license of Con-
gressonal liberties with the conduct and character Of nd
viduals ought certainly to have limits and though
any frauds on the Government should be unfnchingy
exposed with the good old rule presumng
until guilt is proved Acting the reverse of this prn-
cpe, the honorable members have been kicking about
characters like footballs in connection with Gardiner
ism" word now as euphonious "Galphnism."
X The whole affair will be thoroughly sifted and
then the truth fasy of these charges will be known.
As regards the efundng of the fees there horns
to that In the first place, gentleman must feel
comfortably warm sensation about the breaches pocket
it contains stolen money because of the old adage touch
ing receiver and thieves On the other hand it is both
unpleasant and Improbable for counsel learned in the
law to devote large share of his time, Skill and atten
ton, as well expenses to the prosecution of case,
and then get nothing for such investment but abuse and
the suspicion Of completely in yilanous swindle.
The foreign relations of country are, of all its inte
rests the most decatethe most easily unsettled and
the most difficult of adjustment when seriously in
voved National PRIDE jealousy, rivalry, and interest
all assume more impractcable character than the
passions in narrower spheres, because the ultimate arbi
tiers in all isolated from each other equal indie
pendent from without and at the time each preu
diced swayed perhaps forced onward by home influences
that blind and irresistible. 1t is hence that
the office Of statesman in its highest and largest sgnf
canoe, is the greatest that any fill in consu
tiona governments for it means, at the time, the
in whom the people willing to trust the greatest
interests and who is capable of using this perous trust
to their present satisfaction and their benefit
and honor.
We almost fear that this idea of craftsmanship has lost
its respect in this country We feel that the people
still capable in the long of approaching il but
public to have either forgotten its rewards
in enduring fame to have shrunk from the labor of
mastering the subject.
We say believe the people still capable Of appre-
catng the practical wisdom and benefit Of this
manship. The three great who gone had earn
ed from the people reverence and reliance that is not
often attained under any form of Government and they
all distinguished for the moderation and caution
with which they handled foreign affairs. Jealous
Of the honor of the country they did not throw great
questions forth, football to be contested by the
excited forces Of party to crafty the passions Of the
moment They sought rather keep these questions free
from temporary passions from party coorngs and from
blind preudices and they thus attained to the lofty posi-
of more weight with the people than the
elaborate arguments and the most passionaely eloquent
appeals from the forum of demagogues.
We intend to say little possible that is harsh Of
the recent debates in the Senate but they have struck
characterized by rashness of language and most
extraordinary facility of drawing differences without pre-
misses. Mr.. MASON offered resoluton-under the cir
cumstances very proper calling for the correspon-
dence in relation to proposed guaranty to Spain Of the
possession of Cuba by France Great Britain and the
United States; and in the debate which attended il
Ill.,
national honor and the strict preservation Of the public
faith which heard with great satisfaction, and to
which we paid such homage was in power.
But the debate took in other topics besides Cuba. In
the of 1t, mere newspaper Of a French
occupation Of Sonora, Of the States Of Mexico,
treated with gravity that raised il the dignity
of great diplomatic question. 1t assumed that
France had made assault the Monroe doctrine and
that all the geese and called upon TO defend
the citadel against the Gaus. We quite
certain whether account made Of the other story that
the French had occupied port in San Domingo a
val station 1t assumed the same rank as the other in
newspaper indignation and il the Senate refused to be
patriotic till better informed hope they may have the
credit of it. Both stories appear to be entirely without
foundation. But, in the time, what is likely TO be
the effect upon foreign relations Of this excessive
eagerness the part of most prominent public
dilate upon every il il established fact
and to seize upon every shadowy pretex for stirring up
bile against other natons DO suppose that alone
have the jealousy Of national Importance; that alone
cherish the love Of country prejudice and passion
that we alone are stung by unjust and the
gnominy Of being judged by those who have right
judge us?
directly upon the heels Of this Cuban debate has
another, which affords still Notifying instance