The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-22
Ono case Of Equivoc q tion.

Ono Of Equivocation.
We mentioned on Saturday the rumors which had
reached from various 10 the effect that under
the new administration all questions of importance
submitted the cabinet, and decided by the votes OF
majority, Gen. Taylor having only the voice any
other member We 10th to believe that the Presi-
dent of the United States had deserted the position
signed him by the people; that he had abandoned the
duties imposed upon him by the constitutions and dwarf
ed his proportions Chief Magistrate of the Union to
the stature Of chief Of department But this
rumor came from so many sources, that we could
not let it pass entirely unnotced; we therefore called
upon the two organs In this city to say whether
true or false We were uniformed, and we asked for
information, with the view that the Executive might be
justified if it false. that the people might know
the position of their President if it was true One of
the organs he National lntelgence is silent as yet
The other (he National Whg) pretends to answer us
but it is Delphic reply, and we can make moth
ing of it. II says of us that we have had "per-
sonal experience enough in the manner and mode by
which the presidential Office is executed, to know
how utterly groundless our inquiries" This is
mistake We know nothing of the manner or the
mode in which the presidential Office is executed
Our object in propounding our questions Saturday,
was to obtain this very knowledge, We knew indeed,
something of the manner and the mode in which the
presidential Office executed before General Taylor
filled it but since then have not been permitted to
look behind the scenes. We know that Mr.. Polk con-
suited with his cabinet consulted freely and frankly with
them. and discussed with its members all questions Of
importance When that done, and the whole Sub
jec was before him, he then decided for himself. His
duty and his oath Of Office required him to pursue this
course; and he never shrank from the responsibility
which his duty and his oath imposed upon him. The
question decided by vote and he con-
sidered himself bound by the vote of a majority. He
never excused himself to his complaining friends that for
his own part he wished to give them the Office but his
cabinet had decided otherwise. In Presidents cabinet
was there real harmony than in his but whenever
he happened differ from their opinions, he would take
his own course.
We suspect that the other Presidents pursued similar
course They, too, consulted with the heads OF depart
mens, either In cabinet council in writing and them
the constitution plainly requires the Presidents them
selves generally determined the matter at issue II has
been asserted that General Taylor does not in this behalf
initiate either the earlier the later esdents but sit
ting idle until his cabinet meets, he then enters the
council chamber upon the same footing of equality
with his Secretaries, and when the time for decision
comes, he has the voice with them and no more,
in deciding upon the policy be pursued by the ad
mnisration. We ask again, is this true Does General
Taylor discharge his executive functions Or does he
mere supernumerary member of the cabnetl Have
executive head or have we eight heads each
with equal weight and equal power in the practical ope-
ratons OF the government We again call upon the
oruans If the ton for d;roct orJ .nac6c
answer That which is given by the National Wing is
equivocaton II denounces the reports sent off by
the wires and by mall purportng gve with official accu
racy transcript Of the consultations Of the Chef Magis
ate with the heads OF departments upon all public ques-
ons ridiculous absurd and false This sweeping as.
serton might be regarded denial of the particular r-
which have alluded and ye, says, in the next
sentence, it cannot consent to reply to" our inquiries
We are therefore left much in the dark AZ ever and
forced to repeat the questions which we propouned
on Saturday. The manner in which the Chief Magis.
rate discharges his executive duties is matter Of high
public concern; and the public expects that specific ques
tons will not be answered by vague and equvocal asser
lions that he executes his Office according to the const
tuition and the laws, with strict reference to justice and
the public good"
The National Wing is pleased 10 put itself upon the
witnesses stand, and we have therefore right to ques
ton and cross-questiou him until either get direct
answer OF yes no, until he suffers judgment go
against his principal by default Let not the National
Wing pretend to plead that il is ignorant Of the facts
that il does not know how the cabinet business is trans
acted; that IT has no right TO inquire When 10 were
somewhat behind the curtain could always ask such
question Of the Secretaries, or Of the President himself
and we were never put off, We always could have 'per
,onal experiences" enough to such questions Let