The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-07
(coMMUMcATEp.l

| tS~~Ao~A~AAAD'J
To the Editors
The senior editor of the Union has been long
known as violent and most INSCRIPTIONS partisan
editor. He stamped and stained the columns of the
Richmond Enquirer for more than quarter of a
century with the temper and intolerance of dema-
gogue. No political adversary ever found favor
with him in the field of controversy, even to the
observance of good manners He had no political
feelings that were not marked with asperity and
no power that he did not WELD TO prosecute. He
took from the press its dignity and usefulness, and
made it the vehicle of bad passions and the scourge
of good men. Success made him vain, parasites
made him arrogant, and party devotion made him
arbitrary. His "bad eminence" pointed him out
as cOngenIal spirit for new field of editorial la
bors, and he became the chosen organ of the late
Administration His advent was marked by new
born zeal for the glories of Democracy, which was
carried out through his whole career with the most
obsequious laudations of the high-prest of his
church, and the bitterest denunciatons of all who
doubted article of his decalogue or who refused
to bow down and worship at the bidding of master
and man.
When the sceptre of power was wrested from
his hands and his party in the struggle of 1913, he
felt the pangs of an expelled monarch and revenge
became his master passion.
Scarcely had the ceremonies OF General Taylors
Inauguration been completed, before the columns
of the Union marked the feelings and course of its
editor. The President was to be assaied with bit
terness and insult and his Administration to be de-
nounced with violence and uncompromsing hos
| tility.
A brief introduction found too weak for the
passions that were struggling for the largest lati-
tude, and help was called for 1t was found in the
head of the Patent Office, and his deep infusion was
added to the Union. What has this combination
given to regulate and dignity the spirit of conro-
versy to honor and consecrate the utility of the
press, and to elevate and sustain the character of
the country Not one line or sentiment The deep
stains of one mind have been made much deeper
by the compound oftwo, and even the contributions
from the little press gang invoked to make the
blot more indelible.
This is the character of the boosted organ of the
Locofoco party. This is to give the tone to the
opposition Of the Administration. This is to ami
hilate the power of the Wing party, and this to re-
store the Bourbons in 1852. We shall see If a
nation can be corrupted, proselyted, and dragged
down to such level, then may this forlorn hope
result in victory, and not until then.
With the exception of removals and appoint
ments to Office, and determination to observe the
obligations of the strict neutrality with foreign pow
ers under treaty stpulatons, nothing indicating the
policy of the Administration has been developed
But this has been enough for the eager appetite of
the Union to feed upon.
more untenable position could not by posi-
bility have been taken by the Opposition than re-
sistance to the policy and expediency of removals
from Office. The long possession of the Locofoco
party of the power and patronage of Government,
and their INSCRIPTIONS exercise of power in the re-
moval of Wings from Office to give place to their
partisans, until they had glutted vengeance almost
to safety, made it the duty of this Administration
to correct this oppressive evil. When this Admin
isiration came into power it found an immense ma
ory of the federal Offices in the hands of its adve
saries Knowing and feeling the manner in which
this had been effected, and the objects which were
contemplated, could any thing less be expected of
II, could any thing less be required of it, than a
prompt and energetic course to rebuke the tyranny
of the past administrations, and to give safety to
its own measures, by expeing inefficient and un-
worthy ofice-holders'
| II was the duty Of the Administration to protect
the rights of party that had for twenty years been
ostracised and driven from place with contumely
and made to feel that they had no participation in
the Government. To have neglected this would
have been an insult to the popular will that brought
them into power, and disregard of that measure
Of justice which asked that its violated rights might
be respected.
Where is the crime and where the cruelty that is
charged upon this Administration The malignant
denunciatons that flow daily from prolific pens are
nothing more than the oubursts of factious spirit
II is nothing more than carrying out the foregone
conclusion of party to oppose the Administration,
though IT were as pure as the angels in heaven "
1t is desperate effort to regain the power they held
so long and abused so much. 1t is to recover tho
scepre that used but for party, and WELD
ed but for oppression.
To meet and resist this by all constitutional
MEANS and by sound discretion, looking to the
genius Of our institutions and the good of our CON-
mon country, hope and believe will be the chart
Of this Administration.
The Union has passions and privileges to indulge
that spring from diseased minds and cherished re-
sentiments, which can never find sympathetic re
spouse from the great body Of the people. They
will never defame and dishonor General TAYLOR
They can never be made to believe that he is bad
man, and that he is weak and corrupt They know
that he has served his country for forty years with
out blemsh upon his character, and without one
tongue that dared to SANDER him. They know that
his life has been eventful; repete with trials and diff
cuties, that required much Of mind as purpose Of
will to sustain him and to give him triumph. He
has been, all occasions, commensurate TO the
demands upon him. Will the people join in a reck-
less crusade to defame this man, who has gathered
for himself imperishable laurels and for his coun-
try enduring famei They have refused to do il;
and, faithful to the promptngs of honor and patriot
ism, they will never be seduced from the path of
duty by the camors OF faction the bitter resent
ments Of disappointed ambition. He is yet but at
the threshold Of the duties assigned him by the
people, and is fully impressed with the magnitude
Of the trust. Regulated by their will, and stmu-
lated by his high responsibilities, he will, in all
things, consult the prosperity and honor Of his