Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-13
ALEXANDRIA, ID. C.
FRIDAY NOR MING, Nay IS, 1881

FRIDAY MORNING, Nay IS, 1881
The Late Ministers m,dhe Erpec'ed Cabinet.
The unit having been subtracted from the
{" cypher," leaves the government without any
press. candidlv and fairly, but without fear or
favor, to examine the principles and conduct of
the men who exercise political influence or pow
err, and to place them in a proper light before
the people. Of the late administrator we have
with perfect sincerity, and with undisgulse plea
sure. Neither respecting the late Secretaries as
men. nor trusting them as politicians, we hailed
satisfaction Their return to the bosom of their
constituents, we look upon as an event auspicious
to the welfare of the Republic. We do not cal
culate what effect it may have upon party, but
garding it as likely to eventuate in good to the
country, nothing in that nature could have given
us more pleasure. The appointment of these
gentlemen to the Offices they have just left, was
in itself conclusive proof of the utter lncapacty
of the President. No Chief Magistrate ever had
a finer field, from which to gather the richest and
ripest harvest. Coming into power with great
popularity, he could have commanded the services
Of the best and wisest men Of our times. In
perfect accordance with his declared previous
opinions, he might have called around him able
councillors and honest men, whose names would
have been tower of strength, and whose abilities
none could have questioned. And yet, with
something like misunderstanding IN opposi-
ton to every thing like wisdom or Judgment, and
flying directly in the face of his recorded deca-
rations, he chose to CLEAN the poorest and mean
est materials he could collect Ingenuity, in
deed, must have been somewhat stretched, to
enable him to bring together such a heterogene-
Gus combination. For his Premier. he selected
a man already notorious for his cunning and in
trigue, and restless ambition-hs chief Finan-
cier was known only as bra"ing and malig-
nant partizan. The Secretary of War had long
been morally dead, and it was an absolute offence
against good manners to expose him to the public
gaze. OF the director Of the Navy, charity compes
to say but little-he was absolutely, in point of
intellect, below contempt. These were the men
selected by the peoples President to regulate
the affairs and direct the concerns ofthis great ma
tion-men. we affirm, the calibre of whose minds.
rendered it impossible that they could compre-
bend the duties they were called on to perform.
1t is not necessary now to mention with what
shameless effrontery this apology for Cabinet
was praised and plaistered by the government
presses. Although the whole nation was perfect
ly astonisleL, the venal panders of power were
made to applaud the selections to the very echo.
Well, two years have elapsed-lhey have had a
fair trial, and what has been the result? The
country has been disgraced by misrule-by
prescription, bold, tyranncal and unbushing-
by lawlcss usurpations and abuses of poverty
contempt of the Senate-by disregard of the wish
es Of the people-by corruption and profgacy-
by misrulc, .intrigues and low cabals. Instead
OF being respected. the Heads of Departments
came absolutely to be regarded with disgust and
adherence, and even lost their claims to COM
mon civility. While we were daily listening
to the adulatons of the organs, the Cabinet itself
was distracted and divided. And the ink which
proclaimed the "public confidence in the harmo-
nv & stability of the Administration was hardly
dry, before the Administration tumb!ed to pieces,
the object of public scorn and detestation. Such
Ina. been the fate of that political monster, to
which Jacksonism gave birth, and may such al
ways be the fate ola junto, without honor, talents
or principles.
The President, now again thrown upon his
own resources, Is preparing TO form Cabinet to
support, yet little longer, his tottering power.
The gentlemen designated for the high Offices of
the Government, are all known to the public
1t will undoubtedly be a stronger Administra-
ton than the last in point of capacity. We do
not purpose to forestall puolic opinion, but 1t is
rather our intention to Judge the tree by its
fruits" and candidly, hereafter, to applaud those
of ITS acts we see to admire, as we shall con-
denim those to which we object. Our motto is,
s. to mean and do right, no matter what may hap
pen." Without departing from this rule, we
may, however, offer a few remarks touching the
new Secretaries, which will express at least what
we think of them in the outset and leave it for
time to alter or confirm our opinions.
Edward Livingston is to be the Secretary of
State. How the "great Republican Party'' can |
relish this, cannot comprehend Pure De-
soeraey must stand somewhat aghast. Who