The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-13
POLITICAL CHARAcTER.


Character in every civilized community is one Of the
influential elements Of society The felon even in
Of justice allowed give evidence Of his pre-
vous good character in order show the improbaby
Of bis guilt Human confidence plant Of slow growth
bat when rooted every feels interest pre-
serving il Be comes un~lingy to the conclusion that
MS friend has deceived him He hesaies to believe that
his avorite chisfan has become coward He win not
easily admit that the whom he has long follow
ed has r-pndiated bis principles Hence it is that in every
country there certain whom the people trust al
by instinct and without previous inquiry Wash
layton American patriot He had shown his pa
riotsm by his works BE had perilIed his life for his
country he had in council we'll in the field vindi-
Gated his night be called the Father Of his Country His
name in connection with any cause went far 10 haow it.
II gave kind Of prestge in advance 1t predsposed
his oounuymen think favoraby Of ii 1t needed
any Aborcd Argument since the revolution prove with
Americans that General Washington patriot And
when he gave THE weight Of his and character to
party policy, II already had the vantage ground Of
popularity II in marked degree with jefferson
and Hamilton In their respective parties they were
knowledged leaders and their to new meas
kind Of passport to its At later pc
ROD the thing Of Andrew Jackson and Hem
~ Clay They rivals in politics but each Of them
had shown his merit win troops Of trusting friends
who gave him thar confidence which the companion Of
When Old Hickory said taSe the responr5il-
~ there Of his parisans city or country
in hut psisce who feared to follow where such man
wiling lead His enemies construed his declaration
tending to desposm; bat the American democracy
knew perfectly well that il only The expression Of
iron will eIertd hazardous for the benefit Of the
people In the same way when Henry Clay was accus-
TONED issue has imperous dictates from his throne in
the Senate be rallied with his clarion voice army Of
unqnestioning friends in every State Of the Union When
in ls4o the whig party placed itself before the country
without platform and with candidate who had
principles FOR the public eyeliteraly know-nothng
oondi,ion-she gallant Harry Of the West satisfied all the
sruples Of his followers BY exciaming in the nsolent
holiness Of hs nature that against pirates The law Of
tons required no declaration Of war
These are strong illustrations Ct obvious truth The
people Of America apt give such credit their
publc men Few public deserve il Fewer still at
tain II dangerous power bat it measures the
appreciation which grateful people sometimes indulge for
pure character and patriotic record We hare been led
10 this Of thought BIZ rejecting that while such men
Jefferson and Hamilton and Jackson and Clay, were
abb themselves prominently with great truths
and great purposes and to win fame for themselves and
slccss for their political friends there nothing the
condition Of The know-noihings Of America which author
Ess the expectation Of any similar results The
cHAalcrrE this country have dared hazard ii
By association with such party They who have
foaght brAFely IN our national wars or have shown
themselves wise and courageous ii national
OILS cannot degrade themselves by wandering through
sFud sevs and closing their career in secret recer-