The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-26
For the Union.
Leave. from an Unpusl,sh.a En.sosy-Se. vi.
BY AN OBSERVER IN WASHINGTON


Leaves from Unpuslishsd Iu.tory--se-u
by AN ossKRvEn IN WASHINGTON.
The Spanish mission. from some unexplained cause.
excited the ambition OF several singular competitors va
rey Of circumstances combined to make important for
the country that man Of ability. TACT and Judgment
should represent the United States at TINS unctaie a.
Madrid: For many years i had been mailer OF niue
events and prospective contingencies rendered
ry that the representative at that court should be- at this
time. not only able, butPerecty au fat in the discharge
Among the very earliest and most importunate compe-
tors was James Watson Webb. the editor Of paper
New York Of considerable standing with his party Webb
had been enatic and somewhat notorious politician
was Passionaey fond of nooriey and extremely ambi-
Sss GO Ss sSSao gain ~
told but had openly sought under Mr. Polk, pair Of
spauiees Q win glory and renown the OF
neucq Failing in the heroic line he became exceed
ingy Disguised with that administration and was en-
listed = an early day by the conspraiors without receiv
US. however, very extended confidence. IN behalf o.
having terminated the editor turned his thoughts from
arms to diplomacy and had earnest desire to visit the
halls OF the Escuria Pleased with the gracious recep.
ton and kind words OF the Secretary Of State and the
bland smiles of others Of the council he danced lame
attendance IN the audience rooms, hopeful of success
poets were az hopeless in diplomacy arms Perhaps
no man was ever more egregiodsy deceved for while
ne supposed all the cabinet were his friends there
not one Individual really in favor OF his appointment
yet they had not the manliness to avow it, The APP
pointment would have been improper and unsustained
and the Secretary owed il to himself and his position
have stated once but this was not his character
Alter long and tantalzing delay it finally repre-
ss1,sa, wa profound Alteration Of gravity and regret
eaeemed him highly, but would not consent to the ap
Another a. ardent though less public sutton for the
Place, was Edward Stany, Of North Carolina, fiery
PARTISAN Of some talents and unreguated zeal, who
wholly unsuited to any mission, much less to that of
Spain in the present position OF affairs He had acquired
z md
reckless parsanshp The administration dared not and
would not appoint HIM yet again. with the New York
ediior had hardly the courage to openly refuse, he
was then a candidate, and shortly after elected to
Congress There others desous Of the place. but
vsy oo NJ Bs
man; Under ordinary circumstances the appointment
would have been passabe; and scarcely selection
mad been made 80 little Objectionable, this was ac-
quiesced in without csnsire He was not, like Rves,
COURIER nor like Marsh, scholar nor had he blIiancy
Or ksenness or diplomatic experience but he had fair
with the offensive and Objectionable qualities that had
made SO many OF the appointments OF the period often
she see1on mes Were aegave rather than positive and
a. was without commendalion A long but distin-
guished service in the National Legislature repre-
sentative nom North Carolina had given him repu
tation, aud also knowledge of public affairs that might
Be available in his new career.
The unequal admeasurement by which appointments
Were bestowed was exemplifcd in the two prominent
iectons from Vermont One OF the most estimabe men
OF the wing party was George r Marsh representative
burlington district, distinguished
scholar OF extensive requirements It was the general
expectation Of all parties that he would receive one OF
the missions in the north Of Europe but the
administration hesated and at length grudgngly and
iuc!antly sent him to Constantinople inferior post
while Collamer, scarcely equal to bureau appointment
had been placed at the head OF OF the departments
AS ne Two gentlemen had been colleagues and their
specnve merits and qualifications well known the
contrast 10 the honors bestowed would under wise
and luds.ou; have created general sur
70 he places assigned them, evnced at this period
the selections made.
Unable defend their extraordinary conduct in regard
to appointments, the administration including the Pfes
dent assumed and declared that their object an
was not made before the election Ii was an after
thought introduced justification for what they could
not defend and what they themselves felt to be cupa
BE uansgesson: But even this late plea was in con-
icf with the pledges made IT, the President aveed
ne would know no party, be subject no party domna
upon this duty Of equalization between parties In do
Ing II, they certainly know and recognise party
have party schemes and be acting under party domino
non The excuse, impoten and shutting as il was adj
mitied to IT'S full extent the violation of pledges Il con-
iadcted the words OF the Allison letter and other prom
ises made. -
But the excuse for these acts was as false as the prom
ises that had been uttered There was no equalization
10 Boston the presidential appointments collector
postmaster, marshal, and district attorney The equa
eaton consisted In removing every democrat, and be-
slowing every appointment upon wings, The same was
ington Charleston. New Orleans St. Louis Cincinnati |
Everywhere, at every important point the democrats
were hunted from Office, and wings appointed by the |
Presidents yet he through ignorance or less excusable
failing, began to declare in early autumn that he was
only equalixing the Offices This was the soldier who
in 1885, had scattered broad cast over the country those
pledges and promises by which his countrymen were
deceived Where, at what point, the Offices equal.
ized Had the assertion been true at would still have
been N violation oil his pledges but both were false
ANY attempt TO equallze the Offices would have been in
tsef party scheme. Had there been any such prnci
pie established recognised, onehaf OF the appoint
would have been given 10 democrats and the other hall
TO the wings But the President or the directory in his
name, had prescribed the democrats FROM and APPOINTED
wings to, every office in the gift OF the Executive YET
when they found that the country di,susied " IN he
conduct and the shameless violation Of their prom;ses
would not sustain them, this peext was presented again
70 deceive. s
the conspiracy Of the party managers in Washington
was more pointed and direct against Mr. Clay il was no
less exclusive regarded Mr. Webster The high stand
ing which he held in his party and the country and his
extraordinary intellect wous, in any age, among any
people have placed him among the foremost Of his
ume There were many, therefore, who, from sincere
respect To his high intellectual qualities preferred him Of
all others for Chief Magistrate Mr. Webster was how
ever not only no tactican but was often the victim oil
the tactics and schemes OF Others to which, from
weakness, he gave his assent Though a ereat man
he not bold one His genius had uniformy ouaisJ
before the and nhex ibe boldness of Mr. Cay and
knowing the right, be yet had the courage always TO
maintain H. Other inhrnIiies obscured and limited the
sway OF his Gin many espccs) profound and
ave genius Among the legislators, statesmen, and poll