The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-31


fierce and violent opposition. There was so much
genuine patriotism--so much true American feel
ing-so much independent sentiment exhibited
in the great popular movement which found its
appropriate termination in the election of the hero
Of Buena Vista to the Presidential chair, that we,
m common with the great mass of the intelligent
and honest citizens OF the republic, were justified
In anticipating administration OF very nationaI
eharacter-an administration worthy of cOmpar.
son with that of Washington himself-an admi-
nstration freed from those corruptng and polluting
influences which have blurred and blotted the re-
cords of the federal government during the last ten
or twelve years.
How does it happen that these pleasing expecta-
tions have not as yet been grahfed The Pres-
dent himself stands precisely where he stood at the
period of his election. Not one arrow from the
culver Of malignant and vindictive, because a
sanarting and suffering opposition, has penetrated
the broad shield Of his unsuled honor and unques-
toned integrity. But there is no shutting of our
eyes upon the fact that the administration, thus
far, has not been successful administration. The
violent assaults Of the Washington Union are not
altogether without paliation. True, there can be
noexcuse for that indecent ribaldry with which the
organ Of the democratic party at the seat Of the gen.
eral government, and kindred prints throughout the
country, have attempted to assail the chief magls
trate of the United States. alright thinking
all men who wish well TO the republic-must regard
with feelings of unmngleo disgust and detestaton,
the manner in which the locofoco journals conduct
their opposition to the new administration. The
low scurriy of those journalists who appear to be
destitute Of every talent, except that in which the
Siragos of the Five Points hardly their supe-
riors-the talent of calling names-is at once dis
graceful to the press of the United States, and
the character of our republican system. Yet,
after all, the melancholy truth is not to be
disguised-cannot be cobtroverted-is not TO be
nicely, and snugly, and happily covered over
with the wet blanket of oblivion-that this ad-
ministmtion-this very administration which was
ushered into existence under such favorable auspl
ces, and amid the cordial acclamations of patriotic
people-has not met the public expectations. Al
ready there are, far and wide, indications present.
ing themselves which point to great and general
discomfort and disappointment. We hear, afar of,
murmurs which threaten to swell, hereafter, into
loud and distinct utterance Of dissatisfaction
and opposition. II would seem as if the popular
masses were almost ready to exclam, addressing
This administration-''We called for bread, and We
have gwen us a stone we asked for fish, and We
have given a scorpionr'
Now, whence come these strange and sad deve-
lopements Of public opinion : We are inclined TO
believe that, in the construction of the cabinet
some serious error was unwitngly committed
There has been a good deal Of chicanery-of sub
lie political intrigue-of calculating partI-
zanship, in the organization Of the new department
of the federal government, which is styled the
Department Of the Interior, over which Mr..
Ewing has been called to preside. This new
deparlment-so IT has been contuved, for what
particular purposes is open to conlecture-en-
crosses vast proportion Of the patronage Of the
federal government. In fact, all the other de-
partments have been made tributary to this new
one, which, like Aaron's rod that budded, swa,
lows up all the rods of the msgicans. The
Island Office" with its extended dependencies
and numerous oflicials-the Treasury Department,
the Navy Department, the legal department Of
the Executive government, have all contributed to
swell the patronage and power Of this new depart
ment at Washington. The Department Of the In
terror, as it is pompousy designated Is, indeed, it
would seem, a regular Delilah, by whose wicked
agency the other departments have been shorn of
their strength. Now, 10 whose hands has the
management of this new department, with all its
tremendous influence, been conlided Why, into
the hands Of Mr.. Ewing, OF Ohio, one of the most
rabid and energetic the aboluonsts oft North,
Ii il to be wondered at that this arrangement
should excite the jealousy, the alarm, the oppose
sioR, Of the Southern sections of the Union Here
we have whose fierce partsanship is well
known, and whose hostility to the domestic insti-
tn,iohs Of the south has formed his chef stock in
trade, placed in position where he is enabled 10
wieid a vast amount Of the patronage of the gene
raj government so as to further the views Of the
faction at the North with which he has been sccus-
toned to act. Il this calculated to attract the con-
6dence and support Of the peeplc Of the South
or of tbe citizens of the Northern portions Of
our Union, who are free from the fanaiicsm
II the day. which seeks, under the mask of
a superfne philanthropy, to engross the potl-
cal power Of this great community of freemenl
Again, as il te give additional point to these
siserations-as If to lnfuse more venom into the
sting-we the Post Office Department placed
under the control OF another aboltonist-NTr. Col
lamer, q Vermont. We know not by what
process Of microscopic investigation it was ascer-
teiDea that this persohage, of whom nobody had
ever heard, except unfortunate reporters or door
keepers in Congress, was exactly the most fitung
human being be placed in charge Of the Post Of-
flee arrangements of the United States. But we do
know thsi the Postmaster General has already sue
cecded in giving us abundant proofs Of his utter
incompetency, lie, too, IA an aboitonist, az We
have said, and he has turned out almost every
Postmaster in the country. The consequence Is,
shat the whole department 10 in state of most
beautiful confusion. almost equal to tina, to which
the Post Office at Washington has been reduced,
IN consequence Of being engaged in sinking
repairs" Complaints pour in upon us from oil
quarters in relation TO the hungling manner 10 !