Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-11-28

. The Administrations.
There is no other position on the face OF the
earth, the responsibility of which is so great
as that of the Chief Executive of the Aneri-
can Union. No other position in the civilized
world requires so much the exercise Of every
virtue with which the God of nature has Ell.
lowed man, as that which James X. Polk
now occupies. And happy should the Amer
lean people be, that amidst all the turmois Of
party strife-the caballings of partizan cliques
the Vaccinations of the hireling demagogue,
and the warped feelings and passions conse-
quent upon these, That they have been enabled
20 place in this most exalted Of earthly posi-
ton, man whose patriotism. virtue, firm
ness, capacity, and energy, gives US so bright
and glorious assurance, that its high duties
. will be performed in manner worthy of the
office, and worthy Of the nation of freemen
who have called him to that Office.
But it may appear singular, our saying that
the incumbent Of the Presidential chair of the
Union occupies the most responsible post
which man can confer on man, since his pow.
Rrs are so circumscribed and limited by our
written constitution. Wherein, it may be
asked, consists this great responsibility 3
The President, unlike the British executive,
forms no component part Of the Federal Legis-
latuTe. He can make no laws. He is, it may
be said, utterly powerless in this respect. In
theory, such is the case. In reality, however,
he does exercise vast, and, we had almost
said. controlling influence, over both the inter-
nal and external policy of the country, during
his term Of office. He is elected, of course,
BY majority Of the voters Of the nation; that
majority holding, expressing, and maintaining
certain views Of federal policy, both domestic
and foreign, and looking to him as embody ing
this dominant majority, these political views.
Thus he is installed in office. He draws a.
round him as his official advisers, as members
Of his cabinet, distinguished statesmen, from
the ranks Of his own party, whose views of
course correspond with his own. Whatever
then the executive, with the advice Of his
cabinet, recommends to the Legislature, must,
under these circumstances, have great weight
with the country; or, what is the same thing,
with the dominant majority which is in effect.
the country for the time beirg. How essen
tial is it that the executive should be pure
How necessary it is that he should weigh
with calm head and patriotic heart, every
act he does-every measure he recommends.
Particularly is such the case, at the presen:
time, Measures Of vital importance to the we'll
being Of the country must be acted upon du-
ring the approaching session Of Congress-
Mr., Polk, Of course, will have no voice in the
= -disGassipn Of these questions on the floors of
either House; but the recommendations which
he may make, and the course which he will
indicate in his annual message, will have a
vastOnd preponderating influence over the de-
alterations of that august body. What he
may say, will,be looked upon as the voice, in
a great measure, Of the Democratic party
Happy then are we, in the reflection that the
position of Mr.. Polk is such as TO enable him
to act with perfect independence. Called &c
the exalted position which he occupies, with
ont any solicitation on his part-placed there
by no clique Of ENTHUSIASTICALLY all
intention Of being a candidate for reelection
he has it in his power to act with as much in
dependence as any man who has filled tina
chair since the days of Washington. Tn,
only star which will guide him, will be tina
Ofhis cOuntfy's honor and prosperity. Hav
we reason to anticipate then. that his cours
in the future, as it has been thus far, will b,
such as TO give entire satisfaction 10 his coun
trymen, who have called him to serve them
We have. And more, We have the firmes
belief and the most unwaveling confidence
that his course will be such as to merit III,
praise Of the honest and patriotic Of all parties
and that his administration will be one Of th,
most popular that has welded the dsstinies o
our republic since its foundation.