The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-12
The Administration sympathizing with the Despots
Of

American people They implicate the Taylor admnisra
ton in attempt, under the of neutrality, to aid
the of the monarchs of Europe against the people
and epubhcanism Let the American people look this
act they will find that the policy pursued by the cabinet
conclave, in the name of the heroc President, is not
the entertainment to which they supposed they in
vited when they elected him.
''An Administrative Policy"
The editor OF the New York Courier having waited for
diplomatic appointment with philosophic patience, until
hope deferred has at last made his heart sick, lifts
up despang cry for the government to show It's hands
and display ian administrative policy" ,Supposlng this
born zeal of the editor for such thing Is not the
breaking out OF "prvate grefs" but proceeds from
earnest desire that the President of his choice should dis
tnguish himself in the cabinet much in the field,
permit me to suggest that the first indications of an adj
ministraive policy have already been made aud would
perhaps have been noticed by the editor if his patriotic
regards had not been fixed too fondy upon Madrid He
may perhaps be excused, under this administration,
(where all seek their own for attempting to combine hfs
own personal advancement with the services he is 80
anxious to render TO his country His history is not
without some affecting records of similar attempts made
heretofore But having spoken SO freely and generously
of the commanding talents of every member OF the cabi
net he has done the impotence which he now mani
tests that they should no longer conceal their g under
bushe may be set down well to his enthusiastic ad-
miraton OF them any anxious for the country
Among the various revolutionary movements which
occurred last year in Europe the change which was at
tempted in the political condition OF Germany was hailed
democratic movement, whose result must certainly
be larger participation by the people in the government
than they had ever before enjoyed Il was OF no conse-
quence whether the form first established was nonarchl
cal republican The first arrangements in the nature
of things would be only temporary. The fact that the
body of the people thereafter to have voice in the
direction Of affairs sufficient to encourage the hope
that subsequent changes would only be OF more demo-
cratic character. Under these circumstances, while the
sympaihes OF this country were in the first place strongly
enlisted in behalf of the French, they did not by any
stop there but expressed in equally strong
terms for the democratic movement in Germany. The
administration then IN power IN this country was dem,
Ocrac not only IN name, but IN reality and proved Itself
by its ardent sympates in all these political movements
which II expressed in generous and becoming manner
The diplomatic intercourse at once established between
the German government and this country was Of the
most friendly character The first fruits OF it were per-
mission from government to several of superior
naval officers TO render valuable assistance in the organl
Zaton Of the navy which the new power wished to
establish Encouraged by these friendly manifestations,
that power, in making its first purchase OF ships, paid us
the compliment to select one Of our merchant steam.
ships vessel of war; which, with the PERMISSION OF
government was received at the Brooklyn navy-yar,
and all the necessary changes made upon IT. under the sl
pervison of our own naval contractors.
Whatever differences of opinion may exist In the coun-
try respecting the past administration, with due
regard to his reputation would venture to deny TO
Mr. Buchanan profound knowledge of the duties OF his
station Secretary of State He has always been es-
eemed by all parties accomplished statesman, thor,
oughly versed in the principles OF International law and
both from his temperament his political ainifss ana en-
arged experience emlnently safe and prudent IN the
conduct of public affairs II was with his consent that
these different arrangements made. 1t may be pre-
suu,ed that if any valid objections sabssisd or could be
S any Party TO e as o newer nave p
scented them at all Those objections would have been
offered by the ambassadors of other powers then at vari
ance with the German government whose policy
was opposed to the proposed charges the constitution
of the empire. Neither Denmark, AUSTRIA nor Hussla,
however, offered any protests and the purchase OF the
steamship United States completed and she was re-
ceved at navyyard, Brooklyn, to have the necessary
alterations made.
Mr. Clayt0n however with the Quick sagacity of
neophye Statesman, has discovered most dangerous
mae's nest in these arrangements, and nterposes his
official veto upon their consummaton He is astontsh-
e at the transaction, he expressed in his letter to
the German minister
One of two things is certain from this proceeding of
his Either the present administration does no! share in
the generous sympathy of this country with the d-mo.
cratic movements ia Europe, and will do all in their
power to repress every manifestation of it, taking sides
with the despoc governments which seek to counerac
them, or else Mr. Clayton is endeavoring to build up
reputation for himself by attempting to destroy MIR.
Bdchanans; for the unavoidable implication is, that
MIR Clayton thinks Mr. Buchanan overstepPed his con-
stitutona powers in rendering this assistance per-
hitting it to be rendered in this exgency to the new Ger
government In this case the protest of Mr.: Clay
ton act of supererogatOn for appears that he has
done it of his motion, without being mpelled thereto
by any interference OF the other powers more immediately
interested.
Would it be ungeier0is or jncaudid to conclude also,
from such step, that Mr. Cayto las no sympathy him
self with the great democratic movements OF the ase
lar restrictive policy, and looking with profound distrus
he must necessarily do upon the political enranchse-
men of the it would be very NATURAL fot him to
avail himself of every opportunity to show the spirit
which he has done in this case Another and more
painful consideration is that Mr. Clayton, Secretary OF
State must be looked upon the exponent OF the policy
of the administration, and that accordingly the admins
traon occupies this question entirely different ground
from the last. -
This administration has symEaihies only for strong
despotic established governments; the last Tor the PHI
ri n
administration, if take any steps will take steps In har
mony with the reactonary movements on the part OF
despoc to npress the spread OF republican,
ISM the last in kind and generous language expressed
its interest in the popular instructions against despot
sms and offered its best wishes and its hopes for their
Which administration then, may we look upon as most
clearly indicating the popular will and opinion on this
subject! Was General Taylor elected for the purpose
among other things of opposing the spread OF Popnar
institutions and enlarged liberty through the world Did
the last administration for what they had said and done
in favor of these movements! Or, must we conclude
that the present administration in taking this strange
step, have stepped beyond the policy indicated by the
people in their elections and must, therefore, be held ac
counabe only for the act but for the spirit which
prompted it,
Whatever may be said in to these questions,
thing is very clear. The steamship United States, con-
verted into fgate, belonged 10 the German govern
ment by purchase, consummaed long ago. She was re-
ceived at of navy yards, by permission OF our
government, to have necessary changes and repairs
made upon heran act of national courtesy which has
not occurred in this case for the first tunes and Mr.
Clayton might well attempt to stop the sailing OF an
English frigate from the harbor because he thought she