The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-05

90 operate in these usurpations The Constitution in
trusts to Congress to pass all needul rules and regua
ions respecting the territories /" but Congress having
omitted to discharge this duty the executive council
which was rapidly encroachng the other departments
,f the government had no hesitation in arrogating to
itself supreme authority Their number being increased
eight including the President who was the least i'm
portant parsonage at the board this directory evnced as
much readiness to legsate and make laws execute
n o s nE ss e
der Spain or Mexico.
Some pains were taken to commit one or two dstin-
yuished individuals OF the opposite party to their views
in this California transaction, and, in connection with
other circumstances, afforded key TO the tender OF GER
tain appointments. This was the administration which
came into power protesting appehensons that the Exc
cnuve had an undue and injurious influence on the le
gsative department OF the governments" in consequence
OF which, "our system was in danger OF undergoing
great change from its true theory" These the men
who had denounced the preceding administration, and
cused OF usupation, because IN the discharge OF its
duty exercised under martial law, during the existence
OF the war; military occupation and government OF the
but not then coded territory
Ii Ignorance and incapacty to comprehend these ques
tons excuse to General Taylor and OF his
cabinet for their derelcons in these and other parcu
and Johnson The two former, twas well known, gave
tone and direction 70 the administration, and all three
were lawyers OF ability, as well as Legislators OF consd-
territorial governments was exciting and embarrassing
to Congress, very true; but it was not one that
called for Executive interference, and that too without
cabinet belonged school that paid less regard to
stuonal authority and constitutional restraints than the
opposite party They were centraists and favorable to
strong national government; and General Taylor without
being conversant with the subject having the ability
comprehend It, of the same school, He had selected
his cabinet wing national cabinet opposed to
the democratic State-rghs party; and though while
Of power the cabinet had exclaimed against execu-
tive control, 1t not because they were in principle
against il, but from too INSCRIPTIONS spirit Of par-
sanship.
more labored effort had been made to introduce
Thomas Ewing into the cabinet, than any other com
posing what began to be recognised the
tive council or directory In these labors he had himself
performed only the Hecnlean part, but much of the
from Ohio and others, who had blended wing and abo
ion views in common struggle for years, his pros.
poets were extremely dubious until the rentrod1cton Of
Mr.. Clay TO official political life. That event deranged
many plans previously formed and among others, brought
the Frankfort interests decidedly in favor of Ewing
II Clay designed 10 make war on the administration, il
was deemed important to detach Ewing. and identify him,
and with him Corwin and Others with the adminstra
ton.
Ii was not that there was parality to Ewing himself
land, must be secured With Ewing and Corwin, the
managers felt confident they should obtain that influence
satisfy Clay, it would weaken his position. But those
who understood the characters OF the men composing
the cabinet foresaw that Ewing would be the controlling
and master spirit Not that he endowed with tran
scendent intellectual powers but his qualities were posi-
tive He had great energy and force of character
tact in planning his schemes patience and perseverance
in their accomplishment, never losing sight OF his object
with sensitive delicate feelings on points where
most men would feel their honor integrity implicated
hard and cold heart and utter pnscIupuousness lie
had more tenacity than comprehension OF mind, and
with great will there great obsequousness, which,
towards those who TO be coured, approached abect
servity but In the exercise OF authority ne was oy ma
General Taylor for Mr. Clay had given him great offence
and he resisted until his party had otherwise decided
spect regard for Taylor be acquesced in the support
OF the hero of Buena Vista But his efforts and those OF
his friends had been unavailing in Ohio.
Mr. Clayton had dsrelished the idea oil receiving him
into the cabinet but the reluctant endorsement OF Crit
tenden extorted in consequence chiefly OF the election OF
Clay to the Senate, and his ndecsion OF character
instantly improved by crowding himself into the
tive council With more sombre character and more
ardent temperament than Clayton he had equal cunning
greater courage and sleepess vigilance In avery short
tme therefore, he the controlling spirit OF the cab
net All hesitancy on the part OF General Taylor or
others in violating pledges and assumptions Of power
removed by the persevering assduty OF the Secre
tary OF the Interior Arbitrary, exclusive, and unscrupu
ous he impressed these traits his colleagues and
not only precpitaed Gen. Taylor into the violation OF his
word given TO his countrymen, but entirely changed the
character, views, and principles Of several OF his assoc
ates Clayton had no conscientious doubts to be over
come; but timid, aad always dssen6ier he had some
question to the policy OF defying public opinion Ew
ing, by bringing certain influences 10 bear soon excited
the alarm Of the Secretary of State who became appre
hensve that MS violent and determined associate aided
by the Clay influence and his greater zeal for the ultra
wings, would outstrip him with his party. Collamer
sustained Ewing on all occasions. Meredith followed
Clayton, who soon became indoctrinated with the
proscriptive vruence of Ewing, as TO be chained
down from fourteen to sixteen hours day" IN the
business OF removals and appointments, and thought
il "no disgrace" in few months 10 avow it. John
son, il he sometimes interposed an cratic doubt,
was soon compelled TO submit, il he did not fully
quiesce Crawford had never been able 10 realize his
position and Preston had sunk the Navy Department
into appendage TO one OF The Treasury bureaus
There indeed but little administrative talent in the
cabinet Ii was destitute OF strength, breadth,
prehension OF the high functions Of government, and
distinguished only compound OF unequiyocal plat
tude and rancorous partsanship. Associated with
OF higher graduation OF intellect Mr. Clayton, though
wanting in drectness, had some qualities that would
have rendered him a tolerabe though not superior
cabinet officer. Under no circumstances however, had
he the requisites to take the lead being destitute OF firm
ana honesty OF purpose, without decision Of char
acter wanting ia sincerity, and though something OF
accian, was the eternal victim OF his own unceasng
cunning, which he unhapply mstook for wisdom
The cabinet, from incapacy, were disncned TO have
the second class Of appointments at the seat OF govern
mentthe really reliable and intelligent officers on whom
Incompetent and inactive rely without
edgng the service but whom all statesmen know how
apprecaie-remain unchanged Under previous admins
tratoDs whatever alterations took place. there had been
extreme crcumspecton usually observed in moestng the
heads OF bureaus and also in the selections TO be made for
these very responsible stations So in regard the high
er class oil term Offices These appointments were by law
and the constitution committed 10 the President exclu-
svey who, previous TO the advent OF Taylor, sometimes
consulted the head OF the department TO which the bu
reau Office appertaned though not always doing even
30 much as this A different system introduced in
1919. The directory, or executive council, took upon
themselves 10 decide these matters concave and d.
rect the course OF the President Hence the constant