Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-11-13
The Administration.

We do not believe that any Administration OF
our Government ever ran 50 " swiftly to dcstruc-
ton - as that of James h. po'k. After a little
more than eighteen months of public Service, it
has lost nearly every supporter it had north OF
Mason and Dixon's linc-Nlaine. New Hamp-
shire. Pennsylvania and New York! So sudden
and widespread a detection is almost without a
parallel. It is the Just, and we would be glad TO lie
able to say it is always the sure. reward of polit-
zeal k%nayery and deception. Mr.. Polk came in
To power BY means of the most f~lagitious and
bare-taced frauds, and we verify believe he viii
70 out with a reputation for Craftsmanship and
Statesmanlike ability as small as were his expcc-
tations of receiving the nomination for the Pres
idcncy fifteen minutes before he heard of it. His
career, thus far. has been signalized by a Sc
RES of public measures, and by a course of policy,
which are offensive to the moral sense. and des-
|tructive to the interests, of a vast majority of the
American People. The War into which he has
plunged the Country, against a feeble and disor-
ganized ncighboring Republic, has ceased TO
awaken enthusiasm even in the Slave States for
whose exclusive advantage it was undertaken.
The g"allantry and skill of our little Army, (scnt
upon an expedition in our Judgment as intrinsic
ally absurd rs was that of Don Quixotte against
the wind mils.) are the only considerations that
prevent this war from being erery way utterly
disgraceful to the American name. There is
no, one other cnnoblinr or redecming feature
about it. II appeals in no other respect to our
national pride and patriotism. and is in itself re-
pugnant to the principles of common humanity.
1t is a war for which no adequate cause can be
assigned, either in the aggressions of Mexico
upon our territory, or in her failure to meet her
pccuniary engagements TO orr Government: and
the Ruler who in this ace of the world. needless
ly involves nations in the wickcdness and misery
and suffering of WAR. deserves the universal ex-
ecration of mankind.
Inc other prominent measures of the Admin
istration of Mr.. Polk-the Anti American Tariff
and the cumbrons. and twicc-rciected, and uselcs,
Sub-Treasury, lave found but cold favor even
with its warlnest supporters. They are hostile
to the true interests Of the people. Their enact.
nent was not founded on any alleged demand oil
wish of the Country. which. without them. wa.
in a condition of healthy and progressive pros.
perity. They are the foul offspring of party eau.
cuscs and political Conventions. and the untram.
mclcd masses, as the recent decisive election.
prove, reject and %repudiate them. No interest
of the people demanded thcm-no section of the
Country called for them. They are mere part,
measure, and nothing else.
On the whole it is manifest that the peoplc ar,
already sick Of the small light that tllcy most un
sdvisedly placed in the great national candle
stick. They begin to feel the effects oftheir re
lection Of the " Drnnmond Light which wa
offered to them. They begin to appreciate tn,
injustice and blindness. as well as the |prcposter
Gus absrrdity, Of rejecting Henry Clay fol
lanes Il. Pol-" Hyperion for a Satyr.'--
And as a natural consequence of this returning
sanity. they are in all directions s|purning thi,
luckless Administration, which attained powe,
without merit, wields it without ability, and vii
drop from it unregrettcd and without honor.