Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-20
CONCUR WITH THE PRESIDENT OR

CONCUR WITH THE PRESIDENT Ok
RETIRE"
This was about the 22d of July. few days
afterwards the Agent started on bis mission to
the State hanks, whence he returned and maae
report about The first of September. 10 the mean
|hme. the Report of the Government Directors
had been received. disclosing the startling TACT
that all the funds Of the Bank had been placed
at the, disposition Of Mr., Bddle for electioneer,
ing purposes; that more than hundred thous.
and dollars had been used in that way; aud that
the Board Of Directors had soemnly resolved,
after warning and discussion, to proceed IN the
same career.
Finding there was no difficulty in making ar.
rangements with the State Banks. the President,
confirmed in all his previous opinions by these
disclosures, made those opinions formally known
to his Cabinet, by the paper which has already
gone to the public.
What was Mr.. Duane's courses Did he con.
cur with the President? NO. Did he "Gford
the President an opportunity TO select successor
,otose pie,os might accord ,cith his own on the
important matter in coniempiaion?" Nor AT
ALL. He would neither CONCUR nor
:. RETIRE :"
However; instead Of giving prompt decision
when the Presidents final opinion was announc
ed, he held out the idea that his mind was get
open; that the paper presented some hew and
strong views; that he might finally concur in the
course recommended; and he requested to have
the document for further consideration!
His only further consideration was to prepare
reply, inaccurate in lis assertions, and lndeco.
rous in its language, which was returned to him.
Among other extraordinary things, this paper
substantially stated that it was not his Mr.. Du.
ane'si Intention TO comply with his promise TO
| resign when he made it--that he did not, at the
time he gave the pledge suppose the State Banks
would enter into the Executives views, IN rela'
ton TO the depnstes, and that, therefore, the oc'
casion would not occur, which would require the
fuIfIment Of the expectation he had created; but
that, as it had arisen. he would do right BY refus
ing to resign, rather than do wrong by vountari-
" giving wav to enable the President to accom-
pish his purposes. This was followed, on'the
same day, by another note, which he withdrew,
and then on the same day, by another and ano-
fheri both Of which were also returned. These
papers were not only inaccurate 10 their contents,
but evinecd disrespect for the President. and
a total alienation Of feeling, which would have
rendered any further association between the
President and Secretary at once unpleasant and
improper.
Here, then, was a Secretary Of the Treasury,
who had given solemn pledge. ttcicc. and en-
phaticaity repeated, tohieh he REFUSED TO
REDEEM. Not content with thwarting the
| wishes of the man to whom he owed his elevation,
he treated him ,ciih rudeaess and disrespecf. He
,Das determined 10 FORCE A DISMISSAL,
that he might hrow himself into the hands Of The
Bank Party. to be used as a reapon against one
tpho had invited hin, 10 a high and honorable
trust Vas this ingenious. frank, liberal, gen
flemanly or just?
| What should the Presidentbave done? Ought
he to have kept in his Cabinet man ON WHOSE
WRITTEN PLEDGES HE COULD NOT
RELYi Ought he to have kept near HIM man,
who not only refused to redeem his pledges, but
evnced total want Of the courtesles which
should characterize official intercourse! Ought
he to have retained. as his confidential adviser
one who was ready TO declare that measure
which the President held to be demanded BY the
public interests. and the will Of his constituents,
was - unnecessary, ,natcise, rindictire arbitra-
ry aud mjuSt?" The President did not think
so.
Mr.. Duane was dismissed for FAITHLESS-
NESS TO HIS SOLEMN WRITTEN
PLEDGES. ana TOR the exhibition Of BAD FEEL
INes, WHICH MADE HIM TOTALLY
UNFIT FOR THE STATION TO WHICH
He HAD BEEN ELEVATED. He was
NOT dismissed merely for refusing 10 remove The
deposiies.
Let us not be misunderstood. We maintain
the right Of the President to dismiss any execu.
tive officer for refusing to do what the Chief Ma
giStrate may believe it his duty to do In this
case, it Mr.. Duane had not given the written
pledge. ADD had not shown any of his bad feel
ings, the President might have dismissed hla,,
aud probably would. But that point does not
belong 10 the case, and cannot be brought into
discussions; for however clear it is. that the
President hail a right to dismiss him for that
cause, it is equally clear that this was not the
| immediate inducement.
From these facts, the Bank party will per.
ceive that the case is little different from what
they have supposed 10 reach the President,
they &il be Obliged to prove, not that he has no
power over the depostes, hut that he has no right
to dismiss Secretary for classifying his ,oriten
pledges and using insulting language to'cards
the Chief Magistrate. aohom IL is his duty to
treat with respect. They must not only prove that
the President has no right to discharge from bis