The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-13
The inaugural.

We have already expressed opinion OF this produc
ton and do not propose to repeat what we have
before said But we wish to call the public attention to
the extracts which we make oday from the democratic
press, in order 10 show that not singular in the
views which we have submitted on that document. In
deed il NAV be affirmed that such address as this OF
the new President has never issued from any man SINH
larly situated The King of Great Britain may properly
indicate to Parliament in terms general he or his
ministers may choose to employ, the past operations and
future intentions of HIS GOVERNMENT. he IS born 10
his crown and position and retains it during life No
questions of constitutional construction or OF public
policy were mooted argued, decided upon in his ee-
walton and the principle of monarchy makes his brlh
the only requisite to clothe him with power. II is not
necessary therefore that he should be explicit in de-
clarng his principles or opinions But the is differ
ent when we look TO our own country. We have writ
ten constitution giving but limited powers 10 the govern
ment which it creates; and the practice OF our govern
ment under that constitution is a matter OF vast and
vital importance TO every State and to every citizen
of the confederacy AS necessary consequence OF the
freedom which enjoy parties must arise who advocate
different systems of public policy; and the people, when
called upon to decide at the ballotbox between those
parties as represented by their leaders, have right to
know the views of the candidates presented to them upon
all questions of public concern. They have to decide
upon something more than the elevation OF man
for their decision embraces principles OF governmental
policy. Although the people, in an evil hour may
be led away by excitement or seduced by ''the pomp
and circumstance of glorious war;" and may cast their
sufrages for distinguished man, who either has no
political views, having Them thinks proper to con-
ceal them yet, in despite of their own wrong, the
citizens of the republic have right to be informed Of
those views the first proper occasion The govern
ment is theirs. 1t belongs to them, and none OF the
servants of the people has right to conceal from
them any matter which affects the administration Of that
government.
General Taylor elected the Presidento the United
States without declaring his sentiments further than to
say in substance that he did not to obey the plain
requirements OF the constitution relative TO the exercise
of the qualified veto power vested in the President The
people chose to trust him without requiring of him in
advance to commit himself further. Yet notwithstanding
this imprudence, the people still had right to expect,
and unquesonaby did expect that the inaugural address
would lay down succinclly and distinctly the
which the new administration intended TO pursue.
Upon one question, at least, the public mind was
in state of great excitement question Of the gravest
import not affecting the finances of the country its
trade and commerce, but threatening the perpetuty OF
the Union itself, was agitating the public mind Not
withs,andng the painful excitement and gloomy fore
holdings which thus produced, the President acted
as if the government belonged to him and TO him alone
and he has strangely neglected to say word upon this
all important subject-as were folding his upon his
bosom, and saying TO the people, by implication My
liments and views me alone-you have nothing
to do with them, and have no right to be informed OF
them The times raught with danger, and full Of
peril; but the manner in which will conduct the affairs
of the government in this time of eager anxiety, is
matter about which will give you no information"
The wing press, with that adulaion which it has al
ways exhibited for anything, however trlllng, that
enanates from its own leaders, preends to be charmed
with this inaugural 1t TO give way to rapurous
ecsaces at the first glance at the address, although
does pretend TO give form and shape TO any OF its
vague generaliles Brevity is the soul of wit and the
inaugural is brief That is its great and only feature,
and the whole wing party shouts for joy that short in
augura has been at length vouchsaed to the country,
unminu or regardless of the fact that it answers no
purpose which inaugural could by any possibility have
been intended to answer. 1t rather reminds us of the
BRIEF and general and oracuar speeches from the ire
sponsibIe throne of English monarch at the opening
OF Parllamtn tnan Inc Iu clear, ana vigorous EXPOSE
tons OF elective and responsible magistrate of the
republic. But did not purpose, when took up
our pen, 60 into this subject again. Our only OBJ
ect was to cali the attention of readers TO the
following extracts from the democratic press which give
full and fair exposition of the short and empty inau-
gura'
From the New Hampshire Patriot.
TAYLoR's INAuGuRAL-Below will be found the inaugu-
raj address of President delivered IL O'clock
on Monday, upon his taking the oath and entering
the duties of his Office IL is truly most remarkable doc
heard Of imagined 1t simply short string of words
bunglingly put together. wholly devoid of
meaning. II is emphatcaly original and unlike eveIY
thing else original, there is danger of it, bein
talking of nothing for there is nothing in it. 1t is silly,
insipid common place. made up of unmeaning geneali-
ties shallow absurdtes, and awkward non-committaisn
1t contains not one single indication of what his is
to be, what principles will govern his administration.
II anything be inferred from il, that inference
must be drawn from what is not in it, for there
idea In 1t OF sufficient strength to sustain inference But
from what is said may safely INFER that Gen Tay.
lor Is to be mere automaton-a perfect man of
to be used moved and directed by his cabinet This idea
was promulgated or and by him before his election and
this will best suit his supporters His cabinet will
be made OF bitter violent, and ultra federal politicians,
ted for four years, without the restraining and controlling
influence OF officer chosen by the people to administer
their government and protect their rights and interests
New London Democrat
THE ISAUGuRAL.-This state paper the advent of which
has much curiosity lay before readers
to-day. We should have done yesterday had known
brevy. 1t is short; and do not anything very
swee about it for one, from the fact that
shadows nothing, shapes definite policy to be pursued
and the American people are to-day much the da TX
(sofa inaugural n To The