The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-24
The President ana his Cabinet.

Acian of modern DAYS. Where, in the whole range
Of natural history, You find a better represent
tative, a more successful impersonaton of obsti.
nate stupidity, than is presented in mere political
partisan! Just look at the state of things at Wash
ington at this very moment and be convinced of
she truth of the opinion which we have just now
pronounced
An innocent man, not familiar with the charac-
ter and calber of party politicians, would reason
ably suppose that NOBODY could be obstnately
blind TO the circumstances under which General
Taylor came to the Presidency, or TO the lesson
which a study Of those circumstances naturally
conveyed The election of General TAYLOR was
no party triumph. 1t political triumph.
That distinguished man was not the candidate of
party. He was not the representative or accre-
dited and chosen exponent Of any set of political
principles. He frankly avowed his want of familiar
ity with the questions which formed the ground of
party conflicts in this country. His pledges were
not political pledges. He made no political promises
He was, in fact, chosen by the people, on accoun,
of certain great and ennobling moral qualities His
election was the result of the spontaneous evolu-
tion of powerful moral sentiment throughout the
country, operating his favor. His election to
the Presidency was u moral triumph. IL was a
triumph over the old party organizations aided and
assisted, il is true, by them, but yet originating
in Influences and agencies far beyond their con-
troll. Was not all this pregnant with instruction
Was there not to be read, in these events an I'M
portant lessonl Who but mullsh politicians failed
TO read that lesson But now, let US see how they
improved it,
Within the latt few weeks, il has been quite ap-
parent that gre a. change has taken place In many
quarters, in the Impressions entertained OF the pre-
sent administration. An idea that the Presiden,
has given too much power to his cabinet and
tacitly permitted them accomplish their own
purposes, begins to prevail. Now, no doubt it was
quite matter Of necessity that great deal of
discretionary power should have been reposed
IN the hands Of the cabinet. Probably the
action Of General Taylor in this respect has
differed very little from that pursued by every
President who came into Office, without
friends TO reward or enemies to punish" Yet
with all the purity of conduct attributed to the Pre-
sideni, and an honest and genuine disposition to
be guided by strict reciitude in the adminstra-
fon Of the government, large portion of the peo-
pie, and considerable portion Of the press Of both
parties seem TO have lost respect for his character
and station. AT this early period OF his admins
traton, we see the journals at Washington, and
their echoes throughout the country, pursuing on
one side course Of malignant and violent vtu-
Perston, and on the other, "a course of extrava-
giant and absurd eulogium, which betokens any.
thing but a prosperous career for the President
under the present cabinet arrangements. Already
you hear, on all sides, among the political clquss
denunciations OF General Taylor as "a liar,""a
dolt, ian guorsmus," ga faithless and unprinci-
pied man" These accusations, circulated all over
the country, are not without their effect In the
meantime, the mules a, Washington fully main |
tain the family character
Whence springs this strange revolution in public /
sentiment and public feelingl We are very strong !
ly inclined TO suspect that the present cabinet have
been more intent upon efIecting their own indiyi. |
dual ams-that, true to the instincts Of that class
TO which they belong, they have been more de- |
sirous Of building up sectional parties, and reward
ing the services or replenishing tire stomachs of
their own political and personal friends, than Of
advancing the reputation Of General Taylor's adj
ADMINISTRATION and the public interest. /, would
appear that they have regarded the President as fair
gsme-as a tremendous god-seud-asa miraculous
draught in the political net, predestned for their
special benefit. They seem TO have estimated
this brave, shrewd, energetic, thoughtful old man.
as II he were akin to that Jolly, good-natured silly
humbuggeo monarch, who has been immortaz.d
an songs-
"Old King Cole a merry old soul,
And merry old soul was he
lie ea,d for hi. bottle. he called for hi. glass,
And lac called Tor hi hddlers three 9"
An honest man, whose skirts are clear Of politi-
cal corruption, is mystery to your mere politician
lie finds them out soon, but remains himself
mystery to them foreve How this coatemplative
business is TO turn out in the present instance re-
mains as yet to be seen.
H.. A.
general, and that u to provide for their friends. !
The department Of the Secretary Of State has been
managed with some degree Of ability and dignity.
Bat the egregious blunders Of the present head of
ihe Poet Office DEPARTMENT have properly provoked
the scorn and Indignation Of the intelligence of the
country. Nor has the Department Of the Interior
been in much better predicdment The Navy
Department has nominal head, and the st proof
Of ITS efficiency Is presented ia the blunder made
about the Franklin expedition, which was
ordered one day, and countermi nded the next.
Indeed, the only department which has been
conducted with success has been the War De-
partment, which, II Is not unreasonable to Goa.
lecture, has been owing to the influence of the
President himself Ia its financial details, cx.
elusive Of the removals and appointments. which
belong to the general policy Of the cabinet tho
treasury department has not been without credit
able features, during the presen, rtg,m, But who
is 80 blind as not to perceive ground Cor the sus
piciop that, on the part of some of its members.
wish to remodel the wing party on the part
Of Others, TO construct a new building 10 be called
I" the republican party !" and on that Of others. to
put no "a shsnty," wherever they can pitch IL, and
IN which they could make the most of a sumner
excursion in search Of political plunder has, after
ell, been the prevailing motive with the cabinet
Now, what is 10 he done in thus dilemmtl IL
is clear that the present cabinet do not comprehend