Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1858-07-20
Douglns and lIle Administration

DOWgIas sslad lIle Admin isGrntiOsl.
Is the following correct portrait of
Senator Douglas? 1t is drawn by the ed
itor of the "National Union" tho Admin
istralion organ at Chicago. AS Douglas
has been the soul and center of the Demo
cratic party, the editor of the "Union''
ought to be able to appreciate him. We
confess the picture looks very life-liko, and
those who have carefully noted his course
in the Senate, for the last five years, espe
cially in his engineering through that body
the Nebraska Bill, and the repeal of the
Missouri Compromises, with his speeches
thereon, would not need to have him
named, to recognize the likeness. While
we have felt very great satisfaction at the
thrusts he has recently given to his ac
completes, yet we would not be understood
as thereby indorsing him i'll any manner.
If II set of robbers had combined to plum
der US, and should choose to quarrel about
the booty before it was obtained, we
should be apt to look rather complacentIy
on the fight, and if we should chance to
express the hore that one of them might
slaughter the rest Of the crow, it would
hardly be fair to infer that we, there fore,
approved his object-in doing so-partic-
u!ally if it was manifest that his purpose
was simply that he might enjoy the spoils
alone. The legitimate inference would be,
that we approved his stalwart blows, be-
cause if he should MAIN his accomplices,
we would thereby be better able to protect
ourselves from him.
So in this case; we have honestly be-
licved that the leaders of the so-called
Democratic party, wefe acting for their
own selfish purposes, to the great danger
of the liberties Of the people, and have re-
joced at the deadly feud that has set them
to slaughtering each other, for tho sake of
the spoils. We say therefore, hands Off.
The people will be the gamers which ever
faction is worsted; and if a "Kilkenny cat''
Fl ght should annihilate the whole crew, SO
much the better. But to the portrait.
Tho "National Union" says:
"Pope said of Lord Bacon, that he was
the 'wisest and meancst of mankind We
are glad to say that we know OF but one
modern character that approaches Il reali
zation of this celebrated paradox. He is
n puissant and prominent politician, whose
acknowledge tact and talent, though far
too limited to constitute lHm the 'wsest of
mankind" are united to certain moral
qualities which have achieved for him "a
distinguished pre-emnence as one of the
'meanest.' While his abilities, we are
| free to confess, have been somewhat over
rated by foolish followers, we must insist,
as an impartial tribute to the illustrious
man, that his btterest enemies have hith-
erto failed to do justice to his extraordi
nary liLtleness of spirit. The neglect with
which this distinguishing trait i'll his char
actcr has been treated seems to have seri
ously offended him, If we may Judge from
his recent strenuous efforts to bring that
trait in all its natural exuberance promi-
nently before the public. Great men gem
orally have great faults, often great fol-
bles, but seldom any low, petty or mean
instincts. Such unique foils to brilliant
talent are reserved to the favored few.
Our Senator is one of these rare and re-
| freshinw phenomena. Proud of being q
leader, he has not pride enough to be hon
est.
"Ambitious Of being President, he has
not ambition enough TO be honorable. Ar
rognnt as Pharseo, he will stoop to the
humiliation of untruLh. A distinguished
Senator, he has not the dignity of an ordi-
nary Alderman. Generous to promise,
firm never to perform, he demands more
from, and demands less for, his friends
than any man living. With a will that
knows no sincerity, the hypocrisy with
which he wins man lie would use, is only
equaled by the coolness with which he
will sacrifice him when no longer useful.
ellis lust Of power, his hunger and
thirst after unrighteous preferment, his
Tyranny of ambition, unhallowed save by
it's own energies, disclose in ha6itual acts
of ingratitude, insincerity, falsehood the
moral meanness Of the man in melancholy
contrast with his intellectual calibre. BUT
the saddest and most repulsive in Judge
Douglas character is his utter want of
ruth. He will pledge his word of honor
with the fervor of Roman patriot, and
break it with the calmness of French
philosopher. Truth for the good that is
in itself as truth, he never knew. VIXEN
truth will serve him better than lie, he
will tell it; when il won't, he won't.
ellis bravery Of denial, his daring of as
scrtion, when knowing both are false are
admirable as specimens of mendacious
courage, though melancholy as efforts of
an American Senator. He is audacious,
arrogant, naughty and trium plant in his
manner of telling lies. He does it with
the air of monarch. lie tells them as
though he were counting over his royal
prer0gatives. They are his shield, his ar
NOR, his swift steed, and his good sword
He conquers by them. They are not
silllen, soft, felt footed lies, insinuating
and gcnteel. They are solid, brave and