, 1855-03-10
Gen. Joseph Lane.

NO man is rising more rapluly IN puDllc
estimation than The Marion of the Mexi-
can War" Gen Lane is one Of those char
tiers appearing occasionally in the horizon
of politics, that make an impress on the
age. - Miugling, from boyhood, with the
masses of the people-accustOmed to expo
sure, privation and fatigue, upon the from
tiers Of the West-Democratic in all his
instincts-fair and honorable in all his deal
ings, he is emphatically the man for the
times From the corruption and yenality
glaring upon US from every side, the true
lover Of his country turns with pleasure to
a character unSpotted, pure, unSchathed,
and challenging the scrutiny alike of friends
and foes.
1t is too common for biographers to sup
pose they are appointed to the task Of wri-
ling the eulogies, and not the histories OF
their subjects and in order to discharge
the imaginary duties Of their vocation, they
Lstudiously neglect to mention whatever
would tend to mar the brightness of the
picture they would draw. In this way, the
yrossest departures from honorable conduct
secure an immunity from popular censure,
and men whose whole lives are stained with
crimes, go down to posterity as exemplars
Of ruth and virtue. Fortunately for him
who shall write the biography of Lane, he
will not be subjected to the temptation Of
committing these errors there are no
crimes to be palliated, no weaknesses to be
excused, no ostenSible imperfections to be
distorted into virtues. No man more dis
dains IL dishouorable act than the gallant
Lane all his instincts are right, all his OBJ
jects noble, all that he has accomplished is
designed to secure the commendatiOn of the
candid men Of the nation.
No man on the continent ever won a
better reputation as Q soldier than Gen.
Lane. In the Mexican war, he was regar-
ded-though holding an inferior command
AS equal in every respect to the best sold
iers of an army His services were such as
to endear him to every citizen who went
forth to defend his country against ruth
less invasion by the Mexican forces. His
soul was ever alive to the interests Of bu-
manity, and whenever the needy or desti-
tute could be served, he was the first aud
readiest to render aid.
In the management of the Oregonian af-
fairs, Gen. Lane succeeded beyond the ex-
pectations Of any Itwas not dre med that
he could avoid censure in the discharge Of
the Intricate duties with which he was ell
trusted but the voice of calumny and de-
traction, that follows the politician almost
from his entry on the stage Of life to the
silent tomb, dared not impeach his integri-
ty, or question his unsullied honor. Among
the vast number who have at various times,
been employed by our government in the
conduct Of business of this kind, he ranks
with the few who have been fortunate
enough to secure an absolute immunity from
charges Of corruption and partiality.
The future Of Gen. Lane is to be deter
mined that he will continue to gain the
confidence of the people, is certain that
he is more national in his character than
almost any other politician in the country
moro ready to accord to each State Of
the Union the rights enjoyed by it under
the Constitution is admitted that, if he
will eventually reach the Presidential chair,
we hazard but little in predicting"