The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-17
A RETROSPECT.

in the call ofc0mmittees for reports.
A RETROSPECT.
We invite the special attention Of our readers to
the views set forth in the following article. They
are the deliberate and impartial opinions of a man
not unknown to the public service, whose habits OF
mind and associations give TO his judgments on po-
litical affairs great weight and influence with all
who know him. He is no biased witness, when he
gives his testimony in favor of thepresent admins
tration supporter Of General Harrison for the
presidency, he withdrew from the wing party when
Mr.. Clay became its candidate; and in the struggle
which resulted in Mr. Folks election, he took no
active part. He was thus in a condition to render
an impartial verdict, all his past life had qualified
him to render intelligent verdict, upon the 'qua,l-
tum msrsii" Of Mr.. Folks administration. Our
readers will observe the air Of moderation and can
dor-the judicial tone-with which he speaks.
We publish this article at the present time with
the more pleasure, because the present seems the
fl moment for retrospect upon the doings Of the
administration, thus far. Great and memorable
events-dceds Of strong craftsmanship, have filed
up the year Of its existence. The annexation Of
Texas-the Oregon controversy brought by new
policy to a close-the war with Mexico, not entered
upon I'LL every of Cancellation had been ex.
hausted, and then pushed with the utmost vigor
through what promises to be series Of glorious
military and naval achievements, to the prompt issue
Of an honorable and advantageous peace-the reyi-
sion and re-establishment Of our revenue and COM
mercial pocy-in view at once Of the acquisitions
of the war; the spirit Of the constitution, and the
new which appears in the mercantile history OF
England, and indeed of Europe policy fully and
clearly developed in the messages Of December last
and Of yesterday, with the accompanying docu-
msnts;-al these things constitute an aggregate of
political efficiency, for single year, such it rarely
falls to the lot of any single cabinet, within such a
PERIOD to plan, or of any single legislature, to con-
slider, to complete, and to carry into operation.
But we will detain our readers no longer from the
Gust judgment" of the article to which we have re-
fered-premising merely that we hope soon to be
again favored from the same quarter.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FAR.
The victory of General Taylor on the Rio Grande
is dazzling event in the career Of an administra-
ton that has scarcely exceeded the first year of its
existence. Whatever else Of good we hope to see
connected with the present Executive, this signal
conflict and its striking result already furnish for
history at least remarkable epoch in Mr.. Folks
presidential course. Such is the memory for bloody
battles for their successful leaders, and for the rulers
under whom they were achieved. But without this
brilliant triumph Of arms, happening SO early in his
official term, Mr.. Folks administration is, to the
present time, impressive and fortunate. Though
relatively brief as must be our comments upon this
fact, will endeavor to give passing retrospect of
the Neutrality-suspicious. we are sure with its
friends, and undenable with the candid of its po-
cal opponents.
The President was nominated by no thought, no
hope, nor even aspiration of his own. This the
whole country knows. He "ran" honorably and
successfully for the high official prize; but different
from the feet Of foot or the modern sons of high
ambition, he never trained nor was trained for the
race He was elected and inaugurated; and deliv-
cred on the occasion an address admired by his
country, and gazed at in Europe with much inter-
est and some wincing for its republican indepen-
dence and patriotism. Mr. Polk selected his cabi-
net; he took them from senators and from members
of Congress-good places where to find them-and |
from positions of eminence in the country But |
high places sometimes, though not often, fortu-
tous; merit must test their incumbens. Be this the
rule with the members Of the present cabinet. Test
it by the severe, skilful, and honorable work al |
ready exhibited in the State Department. In the
office of Secretary of the Treasury--the incum-
bent by marvellous industry is prosecuting his views
so ably given to the country, and his honest aims
for it's good The Secretaries of War and
the Navy-both are, happily for them and the
nation fairly to be numbered among the instruments
Of its recent military renown--the Secretary Of
War; with hand oustrctched to direct the glorious
of one general, or with the same hand |
as prudently restraining the excuses Of zeal opn
ion in others. And the Secretary of the Navy hos
not been idle. 1t is not in his nature. By his fore
cast and preparation, the gallant Conner was nigh |
enough at hand to hasten in fit and exact time to |
The Texan scene Of danger and victory-a succor re-
rinding us, il only by half, of Fennimore Cooper's
beautiful tale of"The Two Admirals." The Auor-
ney General and Postmaster General-both able |
working, and willing in their departments for all |
that concerns the public good. Here is a sketch of |
The Presidents official family--brief, but true. He
who chose this family, who is its efficient and ever
indispensable head, ought and must always come in
for his share of credit in the political household
Mr.. Polk, in his election, triumphed an eager
a gallant and, at the time, very angry party. But
has he not given large 'quarter'' to those who OPP
posed him' Very many now in Office, here and else
where, proofs of the fact He has given appoint
ments to many, but he has retained in honor and |
many more. Let him not be called "pro-
scrpive," for thousands who now live in comfor,
would live miserably if it were true ...a
The first Congress Of his administration assem-
bIed, and Mr. Polk proclaimed his opinions and his
intended course in his presidential message BY the