The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-26
political.
From The Philadelphia Ledger, Nov. %.
The Administration.

Some curious revelations concerning the Cabinet
have recently been made by letter writers, and ii
singular conflict with the very positive statements
concerning the body by the editors of certain
journals OF course entertain, and have Otter
expressed definite opinions about the reliance which
the public ought TO place upon revelations con
corning the Cabinet by those who not fully ad
nittcd 10 the confidence of that body. But wher
newspapers have long been making positive state
ments Of one kind, and suddenly show that they
have long been in possession of statements by their
correspondents of totally different kind, we are
forced TO conclude that one the other OF the WIT
nesses must be IN the wrong, and sometimes SO IN
spite of knowledge. And which OF the two ls most
probably right? According TO tho rules OF evidence
we should rely on the who tells the most Prood-
Ole sory-that most consistent with the characters
and previously known conduct OF the actors IN the
events described.
For many months past the Cabinet have been re-
presented as al variance, and on the point OF dlsso-
luton. They have been represented as under the
control of few cliqueS especially one from New
York The Secretary of State has been charged
with all sorts of imbecilites, and with having in
yolvcd our foreign relations through various awk
ward mistakes, in serious difficulties And he has
been especially charged with owning a newspaper
in this city, and with using II to promote his own
purposes especially stockjobbing, and his aspira-
tons to the Presidency. Nor has the Secretary Of
the Treasury escaped the kind consideration of the
same unerring critics. The Secretary OF State had
not been dragged from obscurity to fill his present
station. He had been in the Federal Senate for
twenty years, and had contrived to earn repu-
tation for talent, integrity, patriotism, and devo-
ton to public business. They of Delaware, his ma
tive State, and State which, having furnished two
Rodneys, two Bayards and McLane, is some
what astidious about its representatives had really
supposed that he was something of a man. And we
of Pennsylvania, accustomed to standard by no
means deficient, some how fell into the same opin-
ion. We of Pennsylvania were therefore not lit
tie surprised, on reading such queer accounts OF
Mr. Clayton; and we suspect that they of other
Stltp ma RITZ IA to IN p1r
laughed; but laugh is not an argument, and in.
credulity is not conviction. We therefore resolved
10 await events, and in the mean time to 60 on in
our old good opinion of the Secretary, till events
should prove him knave and blockhead, and
the public body of dupes. Mr.. Meredith was well
known in this quarter, and therefore these criti-
csms upon him passed for their exact value, which
was about the same as that set upon the criticisms
on Mr. Clayton.
Events have come al last 10 enlighten A
correspondent of Mr. Clayton's editorial critics re-
ates, in letters dated about five months ago. various
little things occurring in private and confidential
conversations, which completely contradict all the
assertions and nsinuations of the critics aforesaid
and prove, if they prove anything, that the country
was not fundamentally mistaken in supposing Mr..
Clayton fit for his place OF course We do not
swallow the correspondent whole; and we espe-
Cially reject that part of him which states the Sec
rotary wishes about an organ out of Washington.
We simply take such parts of his story as are
probable, and supported by facts previously known.
own a newspaper in this city, in whole or part
which agrees exactly with what all intelligent peo-
pie here knew or supposed. He adds that the Ad-
Ininistration intend 10 have organs, in out OF
Washington; which are glad 10 learn, because
we dislike organs, and regard an administration as
more dignified without one But he adds that the
Administration wish 10 recognise as their organ
the most astonishing journal in neighboring city,
which Mr.. Judah Apella may believe. He adds that
the Cabinet are perfectly united in their views of
national policy, and in no danger of splitting;
which is Just what all careful observers supposed.
He adds that member of the cabinet aspres to
the Presidency; which all good citizens must be
glad to hear, they will then be more disposed to
consult the good OF the country, and nothing else
He adds that the Administration will tolerate no
domination of any clique, have no pet measure or
measures, and wish TO consolidate great national
party, withoutregard to "Whiggery" or "Democ-
racy," which shall seek solely the good of the
whole country Bravo, Amen! God speed themi
He says that, in foreign policy, they pursue the
course dictated by justice and national right wish
ing that each nation may recover its liberties,
solved TO acknowledge each new government so
soon il can maintain ITSELF but also resolved to
participate in quarrels and 70 permit hostile
ornaments within our ports. lie said something
about the Secretary wishes Tor the annexation OF
Cuba, which we place in the same category with
the imputed wishes Of the Administration for am as
tonishing organ in New York.
In short, these letters, purporting TO be writer
about Fix months ago, completely "head" the
charges against the Cabinet with which the public
have been entertained through the summer, anc
which said public received as they do every thing
from the same source.