The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-06
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL 9. ls4s.
Blr. Webstsr's Anne nd nae n {.

The National Integencer of yesterday continues its
yndcaton of Gen Taylor from the charge that he used his
influence in procuring the passage OF Mr. Walkers amend
ment The Integencer had before denied with an official
tone, that General Taylor had any preference for Mr.
Walkers bill (Which Joshua r. Giddings denounced
"a measure the effect of which was to extend slavery')
over Mt Webser's amendment, which intended to
extend the laws of Mexico over New Mexico and Cali
foraia unt the expiration of the session OF Con-
sress unless Congress shall sooner provide for the gov
eminent of said territories" The organ of the admins
on defends the President from any preference between
those amendments but admits that he did use his in
auence to carry through scheme for the govern
ment of our possessions the Pacific Speaking of the
anxiety of the President this score the InteIgencer
of Yesterday asked, "Was not his anxiety the subject
patriotic and his interposition jsstablenay impera-
the? Here is direct admission that General TAYLOR
did nerpose and there is doubt but that he did even
before he naugurated, endeavor to influence the
ton of Congress He and his friends had told the peo-
pie that he would not exert his influence in this manner
The late administration and the members of the late cab
net were denounced by the wing party, because it and
they were charged with this offence. different order of
things promised in the event that the hero of "God
abhoed war" made President of the United States
But General Taylor did not wait to take the oath of Office
before he reconsidered his pledges He undoubtedly
wrong when he made the pledge The President of the
United States has for his constituency all the people of
all the States, and also the States themselves He has
no right to make himself what the constitution never ia
tended he should bea mere cipher in the affairs of gov
eminent; sheriff, to execute the DEGREES of Con-
gress and the judgments OF the Supreme Court He has
reconsdered his declarations and that of his friends and
glad of it. We have the interests of the country
at heart and wish to the constitution obeyed 1t
peases u.s. therefore, that the President, although he be
President whom oppose, determined, in case of
great interest and importance, to act right We regard
evidence that he has learned something of the nature
and character of institutions since he signed the Ali
son letter. If he not deeply and indscreely
committed against the true exercise OF the veto power,
we might even hope that he would recant his errors
also upon that subject.
While we commend General Taylor for desiring to use
his influence in order that our new possessions on the
Pacific might not be left prey TO anarchy, and their in
habants exposed to lawlessness and violence, we are
sorry 10 be forced TO condemn, the decided TERMS
the course which he pursued to accomplish his ends
He ought to have acted with OF a staesman's cir
cumspecton than to have allowed the composition of his
cabinet and every step taken in framing it, to become
the common gossip OF every in Washington. On
count of the ncautous he did pursue be stripped
himself OF the power to insure eectua " intcrposi-
ton" Any one in the city who took the pains to walk
for half an hour the could have known that
Mr. Clayton would be the Secretary of Stae that Mr.
Bnney MIR. Meredith would be the Secretary of the
Treasury; that Mr. Preston had been offered the post of
Attorney General Abbott Lawrence that of Secretary of
the Navy and Truman Smith the post of Secretary OF
the Interior; that Mr.. Lawrence declined the Navy
Department, and Mr.. Smith the Department of the
Interior: and then that Mr.. Preston was assigned to
the Navy Mr.. Ewing offered the Department of
the Interior, and Mr. Johnson made Attorney Gen.
eral All these things known, and they stripped
General Taylor of the power which he would have
welded through the hopes of those who expected high
positions under him. Blu this not the only he
committed, The letter of Mr.. Seward, published in the
National nellgencer forces upon the conviction that
he (r Seward) induced to his exertions 10
ry into effect General Taylors desire to obtain govern
ment for New Mexico and California before Congress
should adjourn At all events, Mr. Seward went to the
Capitol with Mr. Ewing He approved Mr.. Websters
amendment and showed it to Mr. Ewing. who then left
the whole matter of obtaining government for
y-ao4uHeu ttlfltoHes OH Inc racine 10 DII. oe"dIu
judgment He then, according to his letter, acted
man, who was not absolutely demented. would have
dared to act unless he spoke in the of Gen. Tay
lor. This was great and grevous error. 1t would
have been as we'll 10 ntrust this delicate subject TO
Joshua Giddings 10 Brney, or Lloyd Garrison, as to
Mr. Seward for is notorious that he is as rabd and as
INSCRIPTIONS in his abolition doctrines either OF those
men. Mr. Seward, in the exercise of his Judgment,
Mr. Ewing had authorized him to do, insisted that
provision different from that drawn by MIR. Webster, and
modified by the Committee of Ways and Means, should
pass the Senate That amendment could not be forced
through the Senate; and necessary consequence,
New Mexico and California left without govern
lence and outrage
The point to be considered is whether the Senate
acted right in refusing pass Mr.. Websters amendment
There is better OF deciding this point than by
examining the amendment itself But it should not be
called Mr. Webster's amendment, for it in truth
Mr.. Stewards amendment He found it. and although
aprivate citizen of New York the time, he carried it
to the House of Representatives 1t reported, with
alterations acceptable to Mr. Seward, by the Com
mtec of Ways and Means, amendment to Mr.
Walkers amendment adopted by the Senate and in effect
supersedng it. then sent to the Senate, and Mr.
Seward insisted that it should pass that body But to the
amendment itself. The first clause of the amendment is
IN the following words:
THAT the President of the United States be- and he
hereby Is authorized to hold OF and occupy the
tettoresof California and New Mexico, coded by Mex
tied tate hi