The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-24

sequently appointed II was proclaimed in the whig
newspapers. and by wing writers. that the whole
matter OF appointments referred to the Secretaries
and that they nominated and the cabinet confirmed the
appointments Such. ALSO has been the common talk in
this city both among wings and democrats
But we have corroborative proof OF this fact from the
declarations of Gen. Taylor himself which first made
their appearance in wing newspapers In the case Of Peter
Skeh Smith. It was publicly stated that Gen. Taylor
excused himself for not appointing Mr.. Smith. on the
ground that he was voted down in the cabinet The vote
In the cabinet in that also published and never
yet has been categorcaly conadcted, although put
questions to late organ OF the cabinet with view to
draw out the truth in relation to that very case Also in
the case Of the appointment Of Lathrop to the Office OF
navy agent in this District Gen. Taylor told the friends OF
Mr. Lnthicumas stated in the correspondence Of the
Baltimore Clipper, Taylor paperhat he had appoint
ed him. when the fact that the commission was then
ordered to issue to Lathrop Many other facts Of this
kind could be adduced, all showing that the cabinet and
not Gen. Taylor make the appointments.
Besides it was stated In the wing papers that the cab
net to satisfy General Taylor had adopted rule that no
persons should be removed except for specific cause
alleged against them That rule was afterwards rescind
ed on account OF its inconvenience and. as authority
for its RECESSION, cited paragraph from the Boston
Atlas, quoted from the New York Express That article
in substance stated that the cabinet had adopted and the
cabinet were going to rescind the rule II the whole
Of appointments had not been vested in the cabinet
why should that conclave adopt and rescnd rules con-
corning them'
But we have other facts going to coroborate the con-
cuson that General Taylor had delegated the duties Of
his Office to the cabinet In the first place. we believe
when he to this city. it was his honest determine
ton honoraby to redeem his pledges and to be the Pes
dent not Of party, but Of the people Unfortunately he
persuaded to surround himself with ultra artfu and
INSCRIPTIONS wing politicians They, we have no doubt
forced upon him the policy OF removals And that he
for time resisted, we have no doubt from the fact that
the rule adopted that no democrat should be re-
moved except for That rule was for short Pc
Rod nominally regarded ia the action of the cabinet but
in fact virtually and daily violated Then came the
just and natural denuncatons OF the democratic press for
the dishonesty and perfdy involved p such acts These
arfully made use Of as pretexts to
incense Gen. into more extensive prescription until
it has exceeded that OF all former administrations put
gether It has been remoseless and indiscrimnating
II has extended to the soldiers only Of the late war;
but to the very who fought and bled by his side in
"
ing post Offices for the support Of dependent families Of
children. We cannot believe that Gen. Taylor knew
Of and countenanced such shameful and base of
prescription. without at the time believing that he
IS one of the most unprncpled and depraved OF men.
No; these not the acts Of General Taylor, but Of
he INSCRIPTIONS and reckless men to whom he has
delegated his power; and we regard them another,
proof of the fact that he has SO delegated it
Finally in support Of conclusion that he has abne-
rated the functions and duties OF his Office and vested
Them in the cabinet, refer to the well known sim
picy of General Taylor; his aress and simple
saton, showing that he has but little knowledge OF,
experience in, the nature and duties Of his Office AL
though he endeavon with praiseworthy assiduity, to
make his appearance correspond with the exalted posi-
ton which he occupies. in the estimation Of alintellgeni
aad candid men who approach him, he fails to produce
he impression that his intellectual capacities equal
his great Office. A few minutes of conversation with
him satisfies every candid and intelligent man that he is
deficient even in general information, and that he hardly
knows anything of the vast and intricate machinery OF
government Of its complex system of domestic policy,
and its expanded and intricate relations with foreign pow
ers to manage which requires the highest qualities and
capacities of craftsmanship.
We therefore, in view Of all the facts that have come
10 our knowledge. very many OF which have derived
through wing sources feel bound 10 express differ.
ent opinion from that which has been recently put forth
by the organs OF the administration We sosmny believe
hat the duties of the presidential office haze been delegated
10 the cabinet thai appointments haze been decided by the
,oes of that body and that General Taylor Aas had but
IN equal pote pih the other Members Of the cabinet con.
ape And II the form OF proceeding in the cabinet has
been changed we have no doubt ii has been done re-
Gently in consequence Of the exposures which have been
made by the public press Of the shameful OF things
heretofore existing in that body. The change is pro
forma merely, in order TO conceal the ncompeiency Of
General Taylor from the public view.
We know that such state Of things is humiliaing and
notifying in the extreme to every American citizen who
particle Of national pride that is no excuse
Tor conceang H. The trainers Of the constitution never
Intended that the high Office Of the presidency should be
filed by not equal to its great duties and functions
and the only way, in estimation, to put end TO the
disgraceiu and notifying stale Of things existing
the capital and to restore the services Of competent
statesmen expose these matters fully TO the people
correspondent In Virginia Says ~This noparty adj
ninstraton necessarily obliged to be the most unpopu
ar administration that we have ever had Gen Taylor,
seems is endeavoring through his organs at Washing
on and especially the Buu organ, to practise the
upon the people that he did from the time his
name was brought prominently before the people as
candidate for the presidency The people can longer