The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-06
politilal.
From the Baltimore Clipper, Noo. 2.
Cne President of the United States.


No man can expect to enjoy the distln-
guished honor of occupying the Presiden-
fial chair, and be exempt from the attacks
of political opponents; but every President
has right to expect that he viii be treated
with the courtesy due to gentleman. In
controverting his policy, or canyassing the
tendency of his measures, it is by no means
necessary or just to assail his motives, or
TO abuse him individually. Free discus
sion of measures may be serviceable to the
country, and would not be objected to by
any reasonable man--indeed such discus
sions necessarily result from the nature OF
our institutions and, whilst conducted
with moderation, and not in tactious
spirit of opposition, must prove to be Of
salutary influence, by begetting inquiry,
investigation, and reflection. But, unfor-
tunately, politicians, and particularly some
of the political editors, do not confine their
comments on men and measures within
the limits of moderation and justice for
they assal the public officer, even before
he has had the opportunity to prescribe his
course of policy, and denounce him as un-
fit for office before he has had time to de-
velope his qualifications. And they even
proceed farther, and charge him with be-
ing dishonest, though his integrity may
have been universally admitted.
Such is the warfare which has been
carried on against General Taylor. From
the moment of his Inauguration 10 the pres
ent time, he has been the object Of inces-
SAINT abuse and ridicule. And in this kind
of warfare the Union has been particularly
conspicuous. 1t has been untiring in its
assaults upon the President and its col
umns TEEN daily with language against
him which should not be applied to any
man deemed by majority of the people of
the United States worthy to preside as the
Chief Magistrate Of the Union. That pa
per of yesterday says" he had only to
be an honest man, to gain both the applause
and the affections of his countrymen." In
what respect has General Taylor exhibited
himself otherwise than as an honest man
II is easy to see that the ire of the Union
has been excited against him by the fact
that some of its political friends have been
removed from office but does this consti-
tute sufficient ground for charging him
with dishonesty How stands the list of
public officers at the present moment If
each party has fair portion, then the re-
movals which have been made, however
repugnant they may be to individual feel
ing and interest, are not unjust in a ma
tional point of view. twas expected that
public offices would be more equally dis
tributed between the two parties and if
General Taylor has been guilty of no gra-
yer offence than undertaking this equaliza-
ton, he will be exonerated from censure
by the American people, notwithstanding
the harsh and coarse denunciations of the
Union, and papers of kindred character.
The Union exhibits too much irritation
and Impotence In its hostility to the Presi
dent. 1t seems to be fearful that the forth
coming message may be popular with the
people, and therefore endeavors to produce
an excited state of feeling that will not
permit it to have an impartial considera-
ton but it says, 90 the American people
are both intelligent and honest" and
hence there is the less fear that they can
be influenced to do injustice to the Presi-
dent by the infammatory appeals of that
paper Should the President fail to ad-
minister the Government as becomes the
head of free people should he permit
the national honor to be furnished, or the
national interests to be sacrificed then we
shall be prepared to join the Union in pro-
nouncing him unqualified for his station.