The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-06
THE GALAXY.
Tuesday, March s. l849.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.
MlDDLEBURY, VT.

listence on Saturday last. The authority
of James K. Polk is at an end. The dis
astrous measures and the ruinous policy
of an administration, whose main ener>
gies have been expended upon an unprln-
cipled scheme of conquest, and whose
whole course has been marked, in al un-
paralleled degree, by duplicity. dissimu-
lation, and despotic usurpation, have at
length been arrested by the emphatic
and decided verdict of the people, and
made to give place to the counsels of 9TH
er and, we firmly believe, wiser and better
men. Mr.. Folks Presidential term has
indeed, as in his last message he intimates,
been an eventful one, and will occupy a
considerable space in the history of our
nation. Under its auspices, our first and
may il long be our only aggressive and
external war was begun and ended-half
of neighboring republic was conquered
and annexed-a vast national debt was
created, and tens of thousands of our Cit
liens were sent to perish on foreign soil
while, at home, the industry Of the
country suffered, and still continues
to suffer, from the effects of an ill-judged
tariff. and its business has been impeded
by the injurious oper alton Of an impracti-
cable scheme of finance. The late adj
ministration came into power with large
majority in both Houses of Congress, and
with harmony and concert throug bout
the entire ranks of its party, which, con-
sidering the heterogeneous elements OF
which it was composed, was almost with
out parallel 1t retires from the Capital
in a decided minority in the popular
branch of Congress, and with barely a
working majority-and even. upon some
of the Characteristic measures Of the par
ty, hardly so much can be certainly af-
firmed-in the other branch; and with a
division among its ostensible adherents
such as was never before heard OF, and
amounting very nearly, if not quite, to an
absolute dissolution oftheir hitherto strong
party ties. To say that Mr.. Polk retires
without the confidence, and hardly with
the respect, of considerable portion of
those to whom he owed his election, is on
Iy to repeat what everybody understands.
and what no one will deny. We predict
that the ex-President will speedily return
to that comparative obscurity from which
he was elevated only 10 illustrate what
weakness and incapacity, combined with
an overbearing and deceitful disposition.
can do towards deranging the affairs of a
prosperous country.
Yesterday, that eagerly anticipated
event, the Inauguration of ZACHARY TAY~
LoR as Chief Magistrate of the United
States, took place at the capital, with the
usual ceremonies. To-day, nominations,
on which the success Of his administers
ton must necessarily very much depend,
are to be sent in for the consideration of
the Senate, now IN extra session for that
purpose.
First and most important of these nom>
nations, of course, is the Cabinet. These
appointments are said to be settled, and
only wait the formal confirmation of the
Senate. Out of the many competent
persons whose names have been suggested
in connection with these several Offices,
we regard Gen. Taylor's choice as
very judicious, and happy omen for the
incoming government. Mr.. CLAYTON,
everything considered, is perh APPS the fit
test person in the Union 10 fill the respon>
sible station of Secretary of State.
Tt ough living in Slave state, it is well
known that his views on the question of
Slavery extension are directly opposed to
the Southern fanaticism Of Calhoun, and
that his vote in favor Of the Wilmot Pro-
viso is recorded on the journal of the Sem
ate. His abilities as a statesman, and his
incorruptible integrity. no enc doubts; and I,
with an industry corresponding to his
exalted capabilities, the affairs of the
State Department will be managed, un,
questionahly, as to give tone and char
acter 10 the entire administration, un-
known for many years past.
Mr.. MEREDITH, Ito whom the second
place in the Cabinet has been offered. J
with qualifications that undoubtedly as
well fit him to take charge of the Treas,
ury Department as any person that could
be named, has also the recommendation of
/ LII a..