Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-11-30
From the Bait. Clipper, Nov. 2.
The President Of the United
States. '|t

No man can expect to enjoy the dis
tinguished honor of occupying the Presi-
Dental chair, and be exenp, from the at
tacks of political opponents; but every
President has right TO expect that he
will be treated with the courtesy due to
a gentleman. In controverling his poll
cy, or canvassing the tendency of his
measures, it is by no means necessary or
just to assail his motives, or abuse him
individually Free discussion of meas
ures may be serviceable to the country,
and would not be objected to by any rea-
souable man-indeed such discussions
necessarily result from the nature OF our
institutions; and, whilst conducted with
moderation. and not in ia, tious spirit of
must prove to be of sanitary
influence, by beget,ing inquiry, investi-
CATION and reflection. But, unfortunate
Iy, 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 assail tie public officer, even before
he has had the opportunity to prescribe
his course of policy, end denounce him
as unfit for Office before he has had time
10 develop his qualifications. And they
c.en proceed farther. aud charge him
with being dishonest, though his integri-
ty may have been universally admitted.
Such is the warfare which has been
carried on against Gen. Taylor. From
the moment OF his inauguration to the
present time, he has been the object of
lncessant 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 columns TEEN daily with language
towards him which should not be applied
10 any man. deemed by majority Of the
people ofthe United States worthy to pre-
sideas the Chief Magistrate of the Onion.
That paper Of yesterday says--"he had
only to be an honest man, to gain both
The applause and The affections of his
coun,rymen." In what respect has Gen.
Taylor exhibited himself otherwise han
an honest man? 1t is easy to see tina,
the ire Of the Union has been excited a.
gainst him by the fact that some of its
political friends has been removed from
office; but does this constitute suffici.
ent ground for charging him with dishon.
esty!' How stands the list Of public of.
fcers at this moment! If each party
has a fair portion, then the removals
which have been made, however repug
nant they may be to individual feeling
and interest, are not unjust in a national
point of view. Ii was expected that pub
lie Offices would be more equally disirib
uted between the two parties; and if Gen
Taylor has been guilty Of no graver of
fence than undertaking this equalization
he will be exonorated from censure BY
the American people, Notwithstanding thu
harsh and coarse denunciations of thu
Union, and papers of kindred charac
ter. 81
The Union exhibits too much irrita
ton and impatiencr in its hostility to the
President. Ii seems to be fearful tina
the forthcoming message may be popula
with the people, and therefore endeavors
to produce an excited state of feeling tina
will not permit it 10 have an impartia
consideration; but it says, ''the Amricar
people are both intelligent and honest
and hence tnere is the less fear that they
can be influenced to do injustice to ih'
President by the infammatory appeals
of that paper. Should the Presiden
fail to administer the Government as be.
comes the head of a tree people; SHOULD
he permit the national honor to be tar
nished, or the national interests to be sac
rifced; then we shall be prepared to joil
The Union in pronounclng him unquali
fed for his station.