The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-04-04
THE HANNEGAN AFFAIR.

NheFthe great portion OF the Wing press succumhed
to the Philadelphia Convention, and came INTO the sup
port of the denomination fit to be made" and one
which OF them had labored hard TO prove not e
10 be made VIC had no doubt il The nominee was elect
3D. that presses facle would be ready to defend all
his dongs, whatever might be their character. We al
ready have pretty conclusive proof that such will be
their course.
When the nomination and confirmation of Hannegan
Minister 10 Prussia was announced, caused shock
to the whole community, not chiefly account of the
time and manner, which, of themselves were sufficient
condemn it, hut for the un6tness of the appointment,
and because it every where well understood be
the reward of reachery to his constituents and the
price of subserviency 10 the slave power The Taylor
papers Of the North most open mouthed and
sparing in their denuncatons of it, No language
strong for them use, so long as it remained to be
the act OF James X. Polk and his parzans.
But, it turned out, that the work was incomplete the
commission had not been issued aud Hannegan was no
better off than if nothing had been done, unless Gen.
Taylor chose 10 issue the commission. I'll that was
issued, he had claim the office its emoluments,
and il rested with Gen. Taylor to decide whether it
should be issued or not He was under no obligation,
whatever to issue it, unless, in his judgment it fit
and proper, any than if the nomination never had
been made. He may revoke commission any moment
after it is ssued-a power far higher than that Of with
holding one that never issued. 1t would be folly,
then, pretend that he might not that stage, refuse
to issue it. On Gen. Taylor, then, and his cabinet,
in higher degree, eveu than Polk rests the respon
siblty Of the appointment for they have completed it,
when of the state OF public sentiment in relation
10 it.
We may add, that the New York Tribune says that
was by oversight that any provision made for
mission to Prussia and that it entirely useless; be
cause Prussia has become merged IN the Germanic
Empire, and her Minister here the Baron Roenne, has
Withdrawn his credentials Minister of Prussia, and
presented new ones as Minister of the Germanic EN-
pe, and late minister to Prussia, A. ]. Donelson
was, thereupon transferred to the court of that empire.
The appointment of Hannegan, therefore, in every
pect III which may view it, fom beginning TO enc,
is, as has been justly characterized by Daniel Webster,
of the most dscredable transactions ever perpe
traed by government For the browning act of it,
that by which, alone it could have any vitality, as we
have already sald Gen. Taylor and his cabinet have the
entire responsibility. 1t is therefore matter of some
curiosity how northern Taylor press get along
with it, after the liberal share of abuse which they heaps
confirmation.
That our readers may have chance to crafty that
curiosity, copy the following article from the sgrings
field Republican. Considering the station which our
worthy friend the Editor holds in the church militant ii
is pretty piece of Taylor ethics would wish
10 look upon. We commend to the special attention
Of our readers. The italics are ours
Mr.. HANNEGAN's CoMMIssIoN.-It is a
matter OF surprise with some, and of reproach
with others, that President Taylor has given to
Mr.. Hannegan his commission as Minister TO
Prussia, which was wrung from the late Presi.
dent and Senate, not at the g eleventh." but at
the thirteenth, hour. A moments reflection,
however, will disspate the cause for all such
surprise or reproach. Outrageous as aoas the
act of Mr.. Polk, in a moral Uie,c, it was done
according to the form prescribed by the Consti :
tuition, and was, therefore, strictly legal How
ever indignant, then, President Taylor might be
at this assumption of power by his retiring pre-
decessor, or the manner of its exercise, it would
have been reich of authority equally arbltra-
ry on his part, to refuse to ratify an appointment
made by President Polk, Shy and with the adj
wise and consent OF the Senate.'' And it is not
the principle of President Taylor thus to venture
to the verge, or oyerstep the limits of Executive
power. This is sufficient to scatter surprise
And as for those who find fault, they will see
that the blame rests entirely with the departed
administration, and reflects no more disgrace
upon the party now in power, than do the sprout-
ing of the g tares sown by the enemy upon the
innocent possessor of the farm.
No one regrets this appointment more than do
the Wings. No one is more unwilling than they,
that an unworthy man should tatten upon luxu.
rious outfit and salary, or disgrace our nation at
aforeign court. But g the evil that men do lives
after them," and, sometimes, as in this case, the
good are obliged to lend an un,cilting hand to
consummGte that evil 1t may be that Senator
Hannegan, having now been duly commissioned,
will be recalled; and for our wnpart, we should
not object to such termination of the affair.
Neither President Taylor nor any other man,
had the legal right, we understand the matter,
to deprive Mr.. Hannegan of his outfit and a
years salary. But in our opinion, the Govern
ment can as well afford to give Mr.. flanagan
$4,000 to stay at home, as for any service he
would be likely to perform at the Court OF
Prussia.