The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-25
The Government OrGan-The Probability OF
Change.


should rather say, misdirected the present occu-
pant of the Presidential chair, as well as his inn
mediate predecessor, in the choice of an organ
One selected the AIadisonian and the other the
Uaion What do these names embrace Not
want of zeal for their employers interest on the
part of those two respectable members of the edi-
torial profession. On the contrary, slave of East
en Sultan never swore with more devotion by
the beard of his master than did the 1iadisonian
by Mr.. Tyler Chinese mandarin never bowed
his head with more assduous industry to the
command OF his emperor, than does the Union
Ut every word that falls from the lips Of MIR.
Polk.
Seriously speaking, both Mr.. Tyler and Mr..
Polk have been very unfortunate in their choice
Of an organ. The !Madisonian was probably the
weakest that an administration was cursed
with. But it had one thing to recon-
mend tit did not make large preten-
sions. Its office was to chronicle the small
beer movements of the Tyler democracy, and to
announce when the President would hold draw
ing-room reception. Ambition to treat of great
national questions, it had none. Sometimes, to
be sure, it tried to soar into the atmosphere of
government policy, but soon its wings became re-
Taxed, and 1t was glad again to creep along the
earth, aud content itself with launching OCCASION
ally into indscriminate praise of John Tyler. 1t
was not to be wondered at that its death was ST.
multaneous with the term of Mr. Tyer's admit
nistration
With much greater prctensions, the Union has
been far less adapted, if that were possible, for
the exgences of an administration organ When
Mr. Polk became President of the United States
he thought he could pay no higher compliment to
the democratic doctrines which he protested than
by making Mr. Richie the editor of the admins
tration organ. The present editor of the Union
was man who had been all his life sound de-
mocrat. He was one OF the Oldest if not the old
est, editor in the country--a man whose private
character was of the highest responsibility and
purity, but who was unfortunately contrary to the
aphorism Of the poet
- in simplicity child.
The editor of the Union became the devoted
champion Of the government. But his devotion
was like the religion of the Mussulman, blind and
iatuous,: He was like a too willing witness in
court. He was so eager to give his evidence, as
to draw, of course unwittingly, suspicion on the
policy and motives Of the administration. Like
the Knight Of the Rueful Countenance, he laid
about HIM lndscrimlnately, sparing neither ami
mate nor inanimate objects in his wrath. In his
mad zeal for the interests committed to his charge
now attacking flock of sheep, now a windmill,
though endorsed and pitiably mauled in each en-
counter, still returning to the charge with much
spirit as ever Did an obscure little weekly paper,
on the extreme confines Of Wisconsin, or in some
little smoky village in the interior of Pennsylvania,
discharge tiny arrow against the administration,
the venerable gentleman held up his shield TO
ward off the blow, leaving his charge exposed to
the home-thrust of some powerful adversary. Did
an editor wish to discover the intended policy
OF the government, he had only to make bold
statement, and forthwith would appear in the
Union dignified rebuke, and n declaration of
the real intentions ofthe administration, although
in many cases such publication was most mis-
chevous in its effects. The President and the
members of his cabinet at length discovered the
danger and inexpediency of making the editor
acquainted with state secrets But his mschievous
indiscretion was not checked At length the Presi
dent was compelled, in self defence, to suffer the
editor to make statements of tendency directly
contrary to the policy of the government. This
was at once discovered and every thing that was
contradcted in the Union was forthwith set
down as being virtually endorsed by the Pres-
dent. AT length an effort was made in Congress
to induce him to resign, by cutting down his per-
quisltes The old gentleman still holds on like
grim death. But, from present appearances,
there is every reason to believe that the late edi-
tor of the Globe will have charge of the govern
ment organ before the end of the present admin
istration.
1t is matter greatly to be regretted, that the
American government is obliged to depend for
the PRONUNCIATION and defence of its policy, on
such an organ as the Union. Fortunately, that
paper is not much quoted by the European Jour-
mails; but, of the opinion which is entertained by
European journalists of a government the avow-
ed exponent of which is characterize by such
an organ, there can unhappily be no manner of
question. Alta time when the eyes ofallEurope are
turned upon America, with foreign pend
ding-with grave matters of domestic and exter-
nal policy attracting the attention of the world
that the state journal of one of the greatest nations
of the earth, should be characterized by such
want Of dignity-we speak with feengsSGs the
greatest personal respect for the editor of the
Union-is a matter deeply to be regretted. A horse
that is used to performing feats Of graceful agility
within the circumscribed limits of circus, will
be totally at fault in steeple-chase. The editor
OF the Union, accustomed to preach democracy
from the sanctum of Virginia paper, cannot be
expected to school his mind, at his time of life TO
embrace the great questions of national policy
He views everything through the small end of the
telescope. The question eternaly occurring to
him, is not, show will it affect the country" but
how will it affect the party" In view of all
these facts, is not at all surprising that the Union
has lost the confidence Of the Cabinet
Although the Globe Objectionable in some
respects, yet it, tone was dgnified, and by the
apparent firmness and good sense of the editorsit
challenged at least respect for the administration
it served.
We, therefore, wish the Union would ape the
Globe but we fear that it mu st first become the
latter to be what the latter was