10 THE NORWALK GAZETTE. L: to its application in this instance ; although it may obtain among the presses of the party. The doctor who cured the Dutchman of a fever with red herrings, it should be recollected, killed a Frenchman, under like circumstances, with the same reamedi~ al agent. W's do not admit the Courier dc Enquirer “to be at the head of the Whig press ;” neither will that paper claim any such distinction. There is no such official organ known to the oppo- sition as the Globe, or the Albany Argus, or the Richmond En- quirer, to give the cue to its subordinates, and make public sen- timent but the echo of the mandates of a Kitchen Cabinet. Al- though we are ready and willing to yield to the Courier dLEn- quirera high character for enterprize, intelligence and sound principles, we would be doing manifest injustice to many other papers full as able. free, and as sound, by such a preference.-- The \Vhig press speaks its own sentiments, and is directed in such matters by no privy councillor. That it should difi‘er in its opinions upon political topics, is the rezult of the independent action of free and intelligent minds, engaged in the discussion and investigation of such matters. This very difference is evi- dence of its sincerity and ‘virtue. You could not predict of a Whig journal what would be its opinions upon a public docu- ment before it should be promulgated to the world: but you might, with unerriug certainty, indicate the course of the ad- ministration press, in any such contingency. Indeed, we could have-written the opinion of every Van Buren paper in this state two months before it appeared, upon the merits of the President's Message. And we may say the same of any future act or writ- ing of this administration.- '_These presses frequently affect to pity the Whigs fdr the di- varsity of their opinions and preferences. We are not called upon to express any such sympathy for them; for it is well known that their affections, sentiments and actions, are all regu- lated by an imperial rescript. This may be convenient in one respect :—it saves the trouble of thinking and the responsibility of acting. But it is 21 gratuity not compatible with the princi- ples of a free government. Neitherthe autocrat of all the Rus- sias or the Sultan Mahmoud, is blessed with a more subservient press than Andrew Jackson ; and this one fact shows how.near- If the democracy of the three potentates assimilates in quality. Dena or was Ejrrtucn Snmutsan.-The_ Liverpool cor- respondent of the New-York Evening Star, under date of Nov. 25, writes that,James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, died at his residence on the banks of the Yarrow. on the 21st. of the same month. The literary world will deplore his loss, as a manand a poet—-his genius and worth having secured him many ad- mirers and friends. He was aself-made man, and a biographi- cal sketch of his life would have an important influence upon the public mind--espcciallyiu this country, where nearly all our great men are self-made ; and where most ofthose who as- pire to the -~same distinction, can only arrive at it, by the ex- ercise oflheir own talents and energies. » WILL there be a war with France? This is a qiiestion we hear frequently asked. VVe think there will not be, because there ought not to be. In so far as it regards our country, there are no suthcxent grounds upon which to found a declaration of 'hostilities,'_and thereby to bring upon us a calamity of incom- -parably greater moment than the settlement ofa question of eti- quette or the payment ofthe sum claimed. “"9 find that thr cotttrrtissirinsrs at \Vashittgtou have made their awat'd, and that I certificates will be isstted by the Secretary of the Treasury to claimants, by means of which, those in immediate want of the money, may raise it. All Congress now has to do, is to assume the debt, and make these certificates payable at the Treasury. The question then may be entrusted to négociation or mediation and it can no doubt be settled in a amicable way. Twenty years had much better be spent in this manner,-than by a re- course to arms. A little time will serve to subdue the moment- ary irritation which the recriminations of the press in both coun- tries, and the faux pas of our diplomatic agents, may have oc- casioned. Besides how many opportunities and circumstances may there not miss within the circle of a few months, to place the two Cabinets upon a mutual good understanding! How senseless~—how criminal-in them todesire to plunge us into a war for the matter of a few dollars. If, on the other hand,_ France be disposed to provoke a war, we surrender the question. But, no man in his senses, can in- dulge such an expectation. The policy of that nation is entirely pacific— particulaly so in relation to us. PORTRAIT PAtN'rtNe.4-A visit to Mr. Fenton’s ro'om,‘is not without interest. In addition to the full-length portraitof Ma- jor Stevens, and a variety of others, he has a half length of Miss Read, of Boston, author of “Six Months in a Convent.” The visiter will not fail to be struck with the strong fidelity of his portraits to their originals, and the appearance ‘of life and hu- tnanity by which they are distinguished. Mr. F enton paints with great rapidity, with much freedom, and always with skill. He catches and, transfers to the canvass, the expression and character of the face, not only with ease and at a very few‘ sit- tings. but with accuarcy. His shading and ‘coloring are agree- able to the most correcttaste, and never overcharged. He gives to the form its natural roundness—brings out the prominent points into -full relief, and lights up the whole by the most taste- ful arrangement of the drapery and other accessories. p The price at which these portraits are taken, is surprisingly low; and we think that those of_ our readers who entertain a desire to procure resemblances of themselves which shall live after them, should improveiso rare an opportunity, as that now presented. ‘ VVecoucurwith' the Hartford Titnes in the sentiments ex- pressed below, in the applicability, not merely to Mr. “Everett, but to all other politicians under like circumstances. \Ve would not, however, impute to every man changing his opinions, for good and sufiicient cause, dishonest motives ; but we would discountenance the practice of holding out inducements to men to do so, with a view to future reward. A man, so changing, should be sullered to prove his sincerity by a few season's hum- ble probation at least. however distinguished his talents. Mr. -Everett, we believe, is a little remarkable for a frequent chang- of opinion upon a great variety of topics. and we would not be surprised tosee him changing again before long. He is ‘about as much a Van Bureu democrat, in his feelings, tastes, associa- tions and opinions, as either Mr. Taney—our old federalist and opponentlof the war—or the aristocratic Mr. Forsyth. “Alexander H. Everett is said to show some disposition to act with the democrats. This man it will ht. recollected was recall- cd from aforeign mission by President Jackson, and has for some time since been a conspicuous \Vhig actor in Massachu- setts. lf he is disposed to act with the democrats it is very well ; we hope that they will receive him courteously and treat kindly, but not put hiru up as a candidate for any important of- fice. The democrats of'_l\Iassachusetts have honest and stable
Norwalk Chronicler