Daily national Democrat., 1861-01-26
A Parallel.

Mr. Buchanan, in several State papers has
informed the American public that he has
been in office long, and always gave evidence
OF pure patriotism and honesty. In fact he
has again and again claimed to be pre-emi-
nentiy virtuous and faithful to the constitu-
ton. This is wicked wicked world, " and
people generally are apt to doubt the virtue
OF woman and the honesty of a man who
deem 1t necessary to frequently proclaim
their possessorshp of those priceless Jewels.
In Congreve's comedy of the Double Deal
er, we have character, Lady PLANT" who,
IN the following scene, illustrates our idea.
Her cousin, "Mellefont." is proposing for her
daughters hand, and not for her own as her
vanity makes her believe:
Lady Ptyank-Oh reflect upon the hon
or of your conduct Offering to prev ent me
the joke is that the gentleman is pressing
the lady for her daughters hand, not for her
own -perverting from the road of virtue,
in which have trod thus long, and never
made one trip-not one faur pas; Oh, con-
slderit; what would you have to answer for,
if you should provoke me to frailtyl Alas
humanity is feeble, Heaven knows Very
feeble, aud unable to support itself.
Jdnt-Where am ? Is it day and
am awake? Madam
Lady Piyant-O Lord, ask me the ques-
tionl III swear I'll deny it-therefore don't
ask me nay, you shan't ask me | swear I'll
deny it. o Gemini, you have brought all
the blood into my face; | warrant | am as
red as a turkey-cook. o fe, cousin Melle-
font
Mellctont-Nay, madam, hear me;
meant
Lady Plydnt.-Hear you? No, no; de-
ny you first, and hear you afterwards. For
one does not know how ones mind NAV
change upon hearing-hearidg is one of the
senses, and all the senses are fallible. | won't
trust my honor, assure you; my honor is
infallible and uncomatable.
UettefoRt-For Heavens sake, madam
Lady Ptyant.-O. name it no more. Bless
me, how can you talk of heaven, and have so
much wickedness in your heart Maybe
you don't think sin. They say some of
you gentlemen don't think it sin but still,
my honor, it it were to sin. But, then,
to marry my daughter for the convenience of
that; as sure as can be- I'll break the match.
Nellefont-Death and amazement Mad.
am. upon my knees
Lady Ptyant-Nay, nay, rise up; come
you shall see my good-nature | know love
is powerful, and nobody can help his passion.
lis not your fault nor l swear, it is not
mine. How can help it, if have charms
And how can you help it, if you are made a
captiveT | swear it is pity it should be
fault but, my honor. Well, but your hon
or, too-but the SIM Well, but the necessi-
ty. o, Lord, here's somebody coming l
dare not say. Well, you must consider of
your crime; and strive as much as can be
against it-strive, be sure but don't be
cholic-don't despair; but never think
that I'll grant you anything. o Lord, no
but be sure you lay all thoughts aside of the
marriage, for though know you don't love
Cynthia, only as a blind for your passion for
me; yet it will make me Jealous. 0 Lord,
what did say Jealous! No, l can't be
jealous; for must not love you; therefore
don't hope; but don't despair, neither
They're coming; | must fly.
Now, although Lady Plyant" vehemently
asserts that her honor is "infalible and un-
comatable," and that she had never made
one trip-not one faur pas" on "the road of
virtue" and would never grant her cousin
anything" yet it has ever remained a prob
lem whether she was really an "honest" wo-
man or not.
SO with "Old Buck" He says he is virtu
Gus, and yet the world knows that he has
been false to his friendships-false to his
promises, and took to his embraces that
basest of political prostitutes, James Gordon
Bennett. lie says he is faithful to the Con-
stitution, and yet he connives at the move
ments of those who are endeavoring to de-
stroy the Union, by refusing to send to Maj.
Anderson sufficient force to enable him to
retain possession of the property of the U. S.
Government Faithful to the Constitution"
and yet he tells the disunionlsts, you can't
secede without committing the crime of trea-
son, and yet if you do commit this crime |
can't punish you-Shastd Courier.