The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-07
General Taylor and his Cablmet-Ths Mo-
rsle OF the Whig Party.

Our republic has furnished two memorable ex-
smples Of the power of great moral sentiment
operating In political affairs. One of these exam
pies was afforded In the election of George WASH
ington to the Presidential chair the other, in
ewn day, was exhibited in the election ofZachary
Taylor to the same lofty station. The two cases
are not without many strong points of resemblance,
but it is not necessary that should now stop to
point them out. 1t is to the great fact, standing
out in bold relief that the election of Taylor, like
that of Washington, was the result of a mighty
moral influence swaying the hearts and minds of
men, that we would now particularly direct pub
lie attention, and, in connection with 1t, invite
the serious consideration of the country to
certain great and important questions and
principles which are involved IN it. In order
to accomplish our purpose, a reference to the
political history of the country during the last few
years will be necessary.
Mr.. Folks administration was an eminently
brilliant administration In point of talent has had
few, If any, equals. From first to last, Mr.. Polk,
as the head Of the executive department of the
government, was placed in circumstances of the
most trying and difficult nature He found him
salt, In the very outset of his adminlstra-
ton, IN the midst Of controversy with
Great Britain, which, at one period, threatened
to assume a most formidable character and
he was hardly well freed from that delicate and
embarrassing question, when he was called upon
to engage in the war with Mexico. The manner
IN which that great business was conducted, in the
face of powerful and united opposition, is now
matter of history. Polk has himself disappeared
for ever from the scene, but his administration will
i've In the annals of the country. 1t has ad-
vanced UNNECESSARILY the dignity, prosperity, and
influence of the republic and so it will be &C.
knowledged hereafter, without dissenting voice.
How did it happen, then, that the people refused
to re-elect Mr.. Polk, though he and his friends ar
IDENTIFY desired It Whence came it that, after the
successful termination of war, of which the
great masses of the people approved, and which
was conducted by that administration with so
much energy and vigor, the people of the United
States elected Polk and his party from the possess
sion of the government The explanation is easy
The moral principles of that administration were
distastefu and abhoent to the great masses of the
people. What were the leading principles on which
that administration was conducted! They were
known and avowed. The grand principle of ac-
ton was expressed in the famous, or infamous.
declaration of Marcy" To the victors belong the
spois." II was on this maxim that Van Buren, and
Polk both practised and by it they were both
damned beyond redemption for there is amoag
the honest people of this republic, veneration.
amounting almost to fanaticsm, for morality in
politics. Party does not constitute the people.
Purity and integrity, in public men and In tn,
administration Of the public affairs, are ele-
ments with which the people cannot dispense.
The chicanery and intrigue and deception of poll
teal leaders oltentimes defeat the honest de Sims
OF the upright masses OF the land But sometimes
the indignation Of the people does find vent; and
In the election OF General Taylor we had an in
stance OF the outburst Of the spontaneous and over
whemlng Indignation OF the people, which can
never be forgotten In private life Mr. Polk was
an honest and religious man, but his administra-
ton was utterly devoid OF morality. In reply to a
senator, who was once complaining to Mrs. Polk
oil The dishonesty OF politicians, she remarked
when we LETT Tennessee, MIR. Polk and left our
nearis behind us !! truthful and significant say
ing There was, indeed, no heart, no feeling, no
in'esrsty' no hleh-toned public virtue IN the adm-
nis'ration oil MI FOLK, or In the party which sup
ported nm ana General Cass; aud therefore 1t was
ihat they were overwhelmed by the indignant
moral sentiment OF the American people
The morale oil Polk's administration was signal
- - - w ~'''SS' AZ
rarely, or never consulted the views or wishes OF
MS CABINET In making appointments Ills own III
terests-his own selfish ends-the advancement OF
MS own AMBITIOUS Views-the dement, OF his imme-
oiate friends were the only counselors consulted
py MI FOX, lie ransacked the whole country tor
fei.'Nes ana personal adherents and interruptions
toois' ana appointed them TO ohce' valuable con-
'rac's lat loos' lucrative special employments all
were distributed In the same corrupt and dishonest
Way without reference 10 'ne capacity or hdehiy
o, 'ne individuals appointed 10 ONCE IL was an
administration OF great sPienaor' In regard TO pub
TIC Affairs; Out "i'hin'u was all rotenness and cor
rupuohi nepousm and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., dis
gushing snocNlng' Inc moral sense OF the people
was onendeo. lney 10 put an end to this