The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-04

1t will be seen, by reference to our
Congressional proceedings, that the House
after four trials have failed to elect a
Speaker. The chances of politics have
placed President TAYLOR in a position
where he is unable to command majority
in either House of Congress. This posi-
ton is not the result of any adverse pub
lie opinion, founded on the measures of
his Administration. 1t precedes the de-
velopment of his measures. Ii is no YER
dict of condemnation on any thing that
President TAYLOR has done, or has omit
ted TO do, because he found an adverse
Senate at his Inauguration, and the repre-
sentative elections held since the 4th of
March were held before there had been
any opportunity of defining any admin
iStrative policy.
We regard this state of things, there
fore, as merely fortuitous. II is the for
tune of political warfare. Strange enough
it certainly is, while he entertains and
processes opinions which he unquestiona-
bly, shares with majority of the peo-
pie, and has declared over and over
again that it is his purpose and policy TO
give effect TO the will of the people in its
constitutional expression, that the political
elements should have taken such combi-
nations that even the organization of the
House is embarrassed by an adverse pre-
judgment. No one doubts the stern in
tegrity of the gallant old man. No one
doubts his devoted patriotism, his UNI
shrinking courage, his fidelity TO the Con-
stitution, his attachment to the Union.
We all believe that the American people
are disposed 10 give him fair play, and 10
Judge him by his measures and yet the
concurrence of adverse circumstances
threatens TO place him at the start in less
favorable position than that of any of his
predecessors. The elder ADAMS, at the
first session after his election, counted a
decided majority in both branches of the
legislature. Mr. JEFFERSON, at the first
session, with a Senate about equally
divided, had a Democratic majority in the
House. Mr.. J. q. ADAMS had a decided
majority of friends in the Senate, and in
the House a Speaker friendly TO the Ad-
ministration received 80 votes against 81
for all others. Whatever may be the re-
suit Of the pending election in the House,
enough has transpired TO show that Presi.
dent TAYLOR commences his Administra.
ton in a minority in both Houses of Con.
gress.
To a man with schemes and purposes Of
his own 10 manage, against the inclination
of the majority, such a state Of thing,
would be sufficiently discouraging. If il
were the result Of President TAYLoR's acts,
the consequence Of unpopular recommend
atoms, or the suggestion of unwise mea.
sures, his friends might have some reason
for dependency. But the triumph viii
be SO much the greater, and the merits o
the PRESIDENT will be so much the more
distinguished, if, in the face of these EN-
bauassments, it should turn out that hi'
measures, by their moderation, their wis
dom and their popularity, commend them
selves TO majority of both Houses of Con
gress Certain it is that he cannot rel,
upon the favorable prepossessions Of Tho
legislature. He has nothing TO rely upon bu
the honesty Of his intentions, the disinter
estedness of his patriotism, his fidelity {,