The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-05-26

cabinet conclave for enlightenment That Is the very
point which we wish TO understand. But we will waste
time on this equivocation We regard the ru'
mors to which aude being virtually confirmed by
the of the two organs of the administration IN this
city; especially by that OF the National Wing The
correspondent Of the Baltimore Sun, QoS) we perceive
stands 10 his position. Writing under date OF 25th May
he holds the following language in yesterdays Sun;
.Genera Taylor gives renewed dissatisfaction twice
week. to his wing friends by dsening the assumption Of
than onseighh of the 'ree1five authority OF course
he cannot regulate appointments, fulfil the expectations
of those of his fends who went into his support in full
confidence of obtaining the spells consequence of the
victory General Taylor processes to be governed by the
practice OF the earlier Presidents, in this respect He
may also strengthen himself by modern examples and pn
cipes in liberalized Europe. Kings declared French
statesman the other day, cannot reign but they may
govern How President reign, when king cannot
The President every inch king, within his constitutional
limits, but he cannot, with due regard republican
tees, up his arbitrary will appointments and re-
mova in opposition to the advice and preferences OF his
counsellors"
This. too is the language of moderate whg and it
confirms the reports that are in circulation II General
Taylor processes to be governed by the practice OF the
earlier Presidents" in declining the assumption of more
than eighth of the executive authority he is clearly
mistaken. II is known that, upon many questions of
Importance, General Washingtons cabinet was equally
divided-Mr. Jefferson and Mr.. Randolph on the one
side, and Gen. Hamilton and Gen. Knox on the other
When any question of difficulty arose. it seemed to be the
practice of General Washington Gas gather from
Sparks Lfe) to furnish the members of his cabinet with
memoranda of the points upon which he desired to have
their opinions. If, when the cabinet met. and those
views stated and the questions discussed, he was
not then satisfied he would sometimes request them to
give their opinions him in writing; and then he de-
cided for himself what he would pursue He
did not decline to than cneth of the Exc
cutive responsibility He assumed all the responsibility
that appeained to his Office This was his course when
the first bank charter submitted to him, and when
the French difficulties required Executive action We
suspect, that from the days of Washington to the
4h of March last. no President has allowed the
members of his cabinet to stand his equals in his
council chamber, and vote him down and override him.
The constitution says "The executive potter shall be
rested in President of The United States of america -
and says further, that "he may require the opinion
Uriting, of the principal officer in each Of the executive
departments upon any subject relating TO the duties of
their respective Offices" These the words OF the
stution; and they intended to be so con-
srued that the executive power should be divided equally
between the President and the heads of departments The
people do vote for the heads Of departments They
nominated by the President and appointed by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate independent entirely OF
the popular will Yet if what is reported be true, Gen
Taylor is not satisfied with the provisions of the const
tuition, but vests, for all practical purposes the executive
power in the President chosen by the people, and
cabinet officers, OF whom the people know nothing The
people, in their ignorance, have supposed that they had
voice in designating the head of the government but
under the rule ascrbed to the second Washington they
are mistaken They only elect oneeighh Of President,
and must trust to fortune for the rest Time was when
General Tayors opinions subjects of eager inquiry
Friends and foes endeavored to ascertain them but in
vain. Now we may see the reason why he withheld his
views Now may understand his letter, which said
that his opinions, if he were President were
neither necessary nor important" He did not wish to
deceive the people, for he did not intend be than
fraction I'D of President.