Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-08-14
A Picture Of the Polk Administrdfion-hs E'e-
ynents trcH Defined.


the vessel in which he crossed the waters, con.
tanning a. it did, every species of human nature,
could have well conceived more IIydra-heade
affair than might spring up from the ashes OF the
Polk Administration, if the present members Of its
body polite were thrown in heap, and "trans.
mografied" into one great monster.
Such materials rs the Cabinet of this Admins
tration are composed of, together with Mr.. Polk
as its hoad, nigh, indeed he readily converted in-
to what could properly be termed seven.headed
monster, each head giving out poison OF different
hue. How the people of this country have right
TO expect harmony TO emanate from an Admins
tration Of so many discordant elements rs the
present we are at loss TO divine. 1t is true, Mr..
Polk, in the selection Of Buchanan, rs n Tariff
branch Of his Cabinet, thought that the Tariff ea-
ture of his Administration would be neutralized
by the selection Of Walker, the Anti-Tariii, or
Anti.Protection man, as antidote. But in this,
we think the Janus faced President will find him.
self unable to carry out the game which he COM
menced in his letter 10 Kane and others. MIR.
Buchanan knows too well the dictates of his own
interest, to submit quietly to reduction OF the
Tariff to a revenue standard, by the man9uvre.
ing Of the little Repudiator from Mississippi.
We think too, that the conflicting interests OF
other members of the Polk Cabinet, may yet rem
der the efforts of James Il. Polk harmless.
The President, we have doubt, in the selec-
ton of the present Cabinet, thought that he would
not only be able TO accomplish his own objects
bu, in his efforts 10 do so, would subservc his own
ends by endeavoring to please all sides of the
house, How ridicuously weak has Mr.. Polk pro.
we'd himself in this matter He is bound to be
caught in his own snare, and will find that he has
entirely misconceived the ''means" by which he
was to justify the sends"
The abortive efforts of the Polk Admnstra-
ton, are more strikingly portrayed 10y another,
than we expect TO picture them and we have there
fore, borrowed from Vicksburg contemporary the
following:
@MR, POLK AND HIS ADMINISTRATION.
During the period betwcea the election and Inaugural
ZION of President Polk confidently predicted, by both
parties, that the administration, would be the most
Quiet that the county had witnessed tor
This opinion based, by the Do Bocras, upon the
belief that their party having yielded fully their personal
and political predictions they would as freely give their
support 10 an administration they had created matter
what course might be pursued. The Wings presumed,
that ~ Mr.. Polk Il man, and not having COM
nitted himself any OF tue great measures OF policy
fha divided the pzrics he would ondcayor 10 shape his
factions 40 sngusv blended 70 70 any ri inc mr1g
positon. II thought by all, that Mr.. Polk, being
merely the available candidate. he would not aspire
second TERM and would make effort demcan him.
se during his Of office, tire, the cad of
yeArs, without having incurred the hostility dspeasure
Of either parry bud thus be enabled TO enjoy, during the
remainder Of his fe the quiet aud dgnihed OF
who had through popular occupied the highest
mon known 10 mankind and whose course whilst in the
occupancy had enhanced rather than diminished the
ton he held in tho affections Of great and free people
These reflections INDUCED only by the parties,
but by MIR. Polk himself may Judge by the OF
his organ, Nashville, during that period. To accom-
plish this desirable result lac, at the very commencement
VI his official the organization oil his cabinet
abe most striking evidence. his determinations soOh,
ths various factions Of his party, who had suppressed their
differences. and joined heartily, in placing him upon
tbe pinnacle OF human grandeur. The debt OF gratitude
he owed the advocates nf Protective Tari
nowedged by his appointment Of James Buchanan, OF
Pennsyvanio, the post oi Secreay OF State the lite
ysfsws aud abotionisis were to be satisfied by giving
post OF Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft
ihe appointment Of John Y. Mason Attorney General.
was a concession made the Tyeriles aRd Virginia ab-
sactionss tbs administration VI the Treasury depart
nent bestowed upon the little AnneXaOnIs and Re
padistor, Robert J. Walker the personal friends of the
"Od Hero" received compensation for their eNertons
by the appointment of Cave Johnson Post Master
eral the Van Burenites. lo Empire Club, the radicals
the class politicians who believe that Offices
for the benefit OF the victorious party, and for the
benefit Of the people at arge,and demagOgues every
stripe assured that their hopes and abUrs
groundess when the War department given Ia VIM.
l.. wArcy. To aid further IN the accomplishment Of his
designs the cabinet called together for the purpose
establishing Organ that could be relied proper
exponent Of the President and his " faction" cabinet
The Globe had gwen otlence portion OF the party,
and Blair and RveS who had long Sesihered the
Of opposition. longer capable Of conducting 1t;
and tho venerable Richie. who considered the d.pos
tory, and exposition Of JtiIersOnIsn Repubcausm
summoned To take charge OF the paper change IT. name,
and ( The Union " as symbolica Oi the in.
'eniion Of the administration. Thus, every interest
supposed TO be Represented, and, consequence, full
snd entire satisfaction would be the result
The best conceived plans will, sometimes fail, and il is
confidently believed. that Mr.. Folks plan was, Of ITSELF
failure; for scarcely had he entered upon his official duties,
before the murmurngs Of discomfort heard, from tho
nlororn hope" Of democncy-ho Southern or Palmetto
chivsry This branch had been overlooked purposoy
neglected. snd an effort was made TO appease item, by the
tender 81 foreign mission, TO their great leader John C..
Calhoun but the bride refused aud the low murmur
ings. changed into open rebellion
The office seekers besego the capitol and claim tho
ward due them; their appeals irresistible; the doctrine
" "rosiion office" is urged, aud to crafty them, the
guotne 10 Get in mOon-Old aud faithful officers dis
placed, TO make for the Ryndets and Bill FOrds ~
the party. The doctrine is urged and the applications
pumsfous that tho old comrades and friends VI Gen. Jack
sou. hsVe yield their posts. The President
Conuo the great "UnOn" press, and SURPRISES,
"susPsRds" the publication Of speech, made before
the Democrats association, in the city Of Washing
ioa BY Of tho late Editors Of the Globe, because
~ 10 supposed ih comments and disclosufts,
would nJure the character Of the administration These
aud other have created discomfort and disqust
throughout country; tao old Lion Of the Hermitage WIS
fully aroused by tho sacrifices Of devoted friends Blair
a. Ryss and his cOmrsde and friend MnJuf WIN. H. Lew.
IT, and well it, Tor MI Folks peace, that the old man has
been removed from oil earthly cares
The Of Mr. Polk, upon the great n po
Icy which have divided the pafts has not been develop
ed, but from the he has pursued, inclined
believe. that instead OF having marked out line o
duei, thst is, itself right and proper he has. aud will
endesyOf please al lactiOus, and fell utterly DID
his immediate predecessor.
FROM the pofontoul clouds Of the political armament
present. the OF the "Unon " and the yaciatng
that will mark his career predict that before the close
Of the next session Il Congress. Mr. Polk will have
contend with STORM, huhe will have neither the frmnos
10 quell, nor thc mind resist"
The old Mdrkci House.