The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-13

The people demanded publication Of the public
departments; and the President responded TO their
constitutional rights, In comforting many appoint
ments, if not worthier or ADLER men, at least on
as high-minded, honorable, and patriotic, as
the prior incumbents, who had long been fattening
in silent possession Of the public bounty.
On this part Of the delicate and difficult discharge
| of presidential duty-and no President ever exc
cuted 1t under more trying circumstances than Gen.
Jackson--Mr Rawle on the Constitution remarks
that
"a proper selection and appointment of subordinate off,
GERS one of the strongest marks Of powerful mind II
the duty Of the President acquire possible
knowledge Of the capacities ana character Of his
disregard the opportunities Of his friends
me hints OF menaces Of his enemies the bias of party and
the hope Of popularity"
| This President Polk has done. Animated by the
purest spirit Of PATRIOTISM he neither sought nor
declined office. He was called from his daily pur-
suits, like Cincinnatus from the pillow; and, cho-
for the exalted station he ably occupies like
pure patriot, he has declared, in advance, that he
wishes to limit his service to single quadrennial
constitutional term.
Popular favor Is best secured by carefully ascertsning
and strictly pursuing the true interests of the people The
President himself is elected the supposon that he is
the most capable citizen understand and promote those
interests every appointment ought to consider
himself as executing public trust of the same nature
pain the individual deter him from the Immediate exer.
ce OF MS power OF removal on proof Of ncapacy or In
| fidelity in the subordinate o6icers,'n
| AS propdply nnety-nne IN hundred are INFERIOR
officers 1t will be admitted that great frmness, pub
lie spirit and independence are essential to proper
| administration OF the presidential Office.
After nearly half u century's experience of the
practice of the constitution, it not for the
reasonable party camor of the wings, the power of
removal and the tenure of executive Office could
scarcely be admitted at this late day to be an open
question:; but when it is considered that anti-const-
tutonal doctrines are designedy thrown out touch
ing plain question upon the fundamental principles
ofour free institutions, laid we hope, both broad
and deep, it becomes occasionally grave duty of
the press to review the subject and especially when
1t Is considered that it would be neither reasonable
nor just to exact from the President a responsibility
for the faithful discharge of the duties of officers
principal or subordinate, who were, by the tenure of
office, removed beyond his influence and control.
Hence, either by looping off limiting the removals
of course the due subordination of inferior officers
particulary may be impaired, and the presidential
office thus be rendered incapable ola vigorous exer-
else of its constitutional power. With great pro-
prety it has been remarked that feeble Executive
implies feeble execution Of the governments
feeble Executive is but another phrase for bad
cution; and government i'll executed, whichever it
may be In theory, must be, in practice, a bad gov
ernment.
Thus it may be seen that at the very onset of
the government, the power Of removal is unqual-
fed and settled to be in the hands of the Executive,
where it has now been exercised for many years
without any detriment to the public service; and
that the constitution contempates every civil officer
from the President down to the humblest individual
in the executive offices, should go back after rea-
sonabe term of service, and again mingle with their
feow-citizens; or, in other words, Offices appoint
ed by the Executive, should be cheeruy surrendered
at the pleasure Of the appointing power, producing
salutary rotation in office, worthy of imitation as
handed down to us in the history of four colonial
fathers. j. E.
| as glimpse of the other side of the question:
from the pen of "Southside," in Virginia, will ap
pear tomorrow .--UNIoN.