The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-13

lowed. The entire process Of making the
treaty, is expressed by the word making.-
There is no division Of the operation, This
view Of the subject is almost confirmed by
the provision for nominating and appointing
the officers Of Government. In that, the
nominating process is expressly and exclu-
sively vested in the President, and the ac-
T ton Of the Senate is limited to the contirma-
ton of the nomination. prerequisite ne
cessary to the appointment We are aware
f Of the arguments in favor Of allowing the
power Of negotiating treaties to be exercised
exclusively by the President, but they do
not convince us Of their Constitutionallty.
+ Indeed, we regard them as excuses for the
violation Of the Constitutional provision. 1t
cannot be doubted that, had the practice
been for the President to consult the Senate
in the initiation Of negotiations for the max
ing Of treaties, and TO keep them advised Of
the progress Of the negotiations, the country
would have escaped the evils inflicted upon
it by the Presidential acts smuggling Texas
into the Union, and which led to the war with
Mexico, and now threatened to be inflicted
in still greater degree upon It, by the trea-
ty Of peace with Mexico, which was nego-
tiated by private individual in the face Of
orders to the contrary.
The abuses in the exercise Of this exeeu-
tive power will be promptly corrected by the
new President. We,shal not witness, I'M
der his administration, the treaty-makng
power usurped by private individual, nor
see it exercised in secret 10 promote political
objects, the Senate will no longer be treated
in the negotiation Of treaties, as nudity. 1t
will be restored to its obvious and Constitu-
tonal participation in the exercise of the
treaty making power, and thus will Consti-
tutional liberty receive at the hands Of Gen.
Taylor another and highly important vim
dicaton from Executive usurpation.
4. The power Of nominating TO public Of
fee, is one SO nearly affecting the interests
of large class Of individuals, that its exer-
else has come to be regarded as the most
important feature Of the Presidency, in the
eyes Of those who are ambitious of serving
the country in a public capacity. General
Washington exercised the power with a sole
reference to justice and the public good
He would not nominate to Office any but the
best men. He was besiegcd by thousands
without capacity or integrity, who desired
public Office as a means of livelihood, but
their applications were UNDECIDED, and when
they came to see, that he would name none
but the best men, they ceased their impor-
tunties and applauded the President for his
hrmness. Even when two or more men,
4 well fitted for the duties of given public
office and oI equal merits in all respects, pre-
scnted themselves to his consideration, he
passed them by, and gave the place to one
Of still more eminent abilities,-thus soften
ing disappointment Of otherwise capable APP
plicants 1t was always his rule to take the
best men. But how has it been for the last
twenty years in this matter of nominating to
oiiiSC ~" 10 ~ INV ~ 10 nOt ROlllS lOO lul
to say, that the rule has been and still is, to
get the worsi men for public employment.
The exceptions only make the rule stand
out in holder relief When we say the
worsi men,--we mean the worst qualified
men. Gen. Washington never would nomi-
nate to Office 4 drinking or drunken man
no matter what were his qualifications -
Sobriety was a cardinal virtue with him. So
it will be with Gen. Taylor, and it is pain
full to think that SO many incumbents Of pub
lie Office are obnoxious to the want Of this
| virtue. II none but sober men can reach
office under Gen. Taylor, equally nunmoyed
will be his determination to dsplace ncumb~
ents who NAV not be sobermen. Honesty Ca
pabiIty and -sobriety, with Washington, We're
cardinal virtues in an applicant for Office.
SO they viii be with the President elect. -
THE hour is fast approaching, il Is gratifying
to reflect, when the public service will be
purgea Of all incompetency, all insobriety
and all dishonesty. The great evil, engen-
dered by the itching desire for public en-
ploymeni, will be quickly cured, when it
shall be made manifest, as it will be, that
none but the best men will be nominated TO
office Let it once be known, as It win be
known, that the standard Of office will be
lifted far above its present low level, and
that none but the purest and best qualified
men will be selected, and all difficulty from
the apprehendel clamors of ofice-scekers
will disappear. Gen. Taylors' practice in
the outset Of his administration, will be a
sign that will not be mistaken.
3. The laws give certain public officers
the appointment of their inferior officers
.Genl. Washington never interfered in the
exercise Of this power, nor will Gen, Taylor.
The public officers, who have this privilege,