The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-04

We have seen nothing more TO the purpose, says
the Baltimore american, in the way of contrast be-
tween the conduct of the present and the last ad-
ministration of the General Government in their
manner of dealing with the people, than the sub
Joined article, elected by the prompt exposition by
the Executive of all the facts connected with the
misunderstanding with the French Minister We
had mind TO itaicise striking passages in it,
but have thought it best, upon the whole, 10 leave
II to our readers 10 find them out. They can hard
ly miss them.
From the Buffalo IN y Commercial AdprtiseT
We are glad 10 learn that the President has au-
,borized the publication of the correspondence be
tween NJ. Poussin and the Secretary 81 State In
thus anticipating the call which Congress unques-
tionaby would have made upon the Executive ior
the production Of these documents, the President
has shown his confidence that the course he has felt
himself mpelled 10 adopt will BE- justified by the
country and receive the hearty support Of the
American people. There IL a violent contrast be
tween the fearless confidence which thus, throwing
of official reserve lays open for popular inspection
the whole history Of the events endangering our
good understanding with foreign power, and the
se..resy in which the cabinet Of Mr.. Polk shrouded
all its sayings and doings previous TO the Mexican
war The nation, IN that case. was startled one
morning by finding itself engaged in actual hos
tities it, armies beea gucred Fort Brown under
bsrnbardment and the libation Of blood poured out
irreyocably without the first intimatlon from the
Executive that ne ndn gwen any pIutIH WHICH
could lead 10 serious consequences. Congress
had been In session for months when the order was
despatched 10 General Taylor, which, If not, as
Mr. Calhoun and Mr.. Benton both ayowed, de-
claration Of war, certainly made war inevitable; II
Was executed and its execution known 10 the adj
ministratiOn, without any communication Of the
fact 20 Congress the country and the, first ap
peal 10 the Whigs IN the matter vas the require
Tnent tyrannOusly enforced by the administration
majority in the House Of Representative that they
.bould either vote that war existed by the act Of
Mexico. or subject themselves 30 the gnominy Of
denying succOr 70 our troops IN what seemed their
direst extremity Of peril.
n would have been only initiating this example
ifGeneral Taylor had waited till French feet Was
bombarding Fort Adams and the town Of Newport
and then informed Congress that, whereas war e1.
isted by the act of France, grant Of few mil.
lions for the increase Of the navy imperativey
required and that all questions about the Justice
or =" necessity Of the measures by which such a
state Of things had been brought about must be post
pOned for discussion when the war should be vel
over.
Such might have been the conduct Of the Whie
Administration, if ii capable Of regarding th'
national peace a. Of subordinate importance 10 th'
advancement Of a party. Such views Of policy
however, do not suggest themselves 70 Zachary
Taylor or his Cabinet They invoke discussion o.
their acts before the issue u irrctricvablc They
frankly expose 70 the nation IN IL whole length and
breadth the correspondence which may involve
such momcntOus consequences. They invite who
.oever will TO declare whether he will support
the Administration through whatever the future
may have in store growing oUt Of is past action
or 10 announce his judgment that il has been hssty
ar petulent that il should retract, modify, Or *
plain 1t appeals 70 the conscience and heart Of th
whole American people 70 say now before II - to
late are right, and shall We stand last, or ar
we wrong and shall we acknowledge il; II scorn
20 avail itself Of cOnoealment TIL II can dcnounc
its opposers as traitors 10 the country and Frenc
Locofocos; though il has the apology, which the lat
administration had not, that, Congress not being j
session there is opportunity for formal com
munication Of the facts
We have written thus, not under the belief tina
ho@ttes with France are the necessary, or even th
probable result Of the dismissal Of it, minister, 5u
because, in our Judgment, the Administration
entitled u great credit for anticipating that make
possibility with the profound sense Of IL ~
spOnsibility 10 the country a. II war were inevia
bic, and with the same disregard Of every partisa
advantage.