The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-16
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY.

as unfriendly to the Administration, of
articles calling upon the Government for
development of its administrative pol
icy," for programme OF administrative
action and opinion. Whether this an
| nouncement is desired in the shape Of a
published platform signed and sealed by
the President, or official proclamation
upon the authority of the Cabinet, or
in some less obligatory form, is not dis
tinctly unfolded. But an indication of
administrative policy" other than what
is deducible from the documents already
before the country, has been urged from
sources entitled to respect, as well as from
others which lay no claim to consideration.
Now we would ask, in all >candor and
seriousness, if if is really desirable that
the President, or his Cabinet as such, or
any member of it on his individual respon-
sibility, should pledge the Government in
advance of the time appointed by law for
it to address the public, or in anticipation
of events which will require it to act be-
yond what is fairly inferable from the pro-
fession of faith published by General TAY-
LoR prior to his nomination by the Phila-
delphia Convention Should the Presi-
dent proclaim it abroad to the country,
eff Congress pass this act shall veto it ~
or, eff the Legislature adopt that measure
shall sign it - Or, in default of fit OPP
portunities to do or say something, should
the Administration assume or invent con-
tingencies in order to bring itself before
the country in more peremptory man.
ner than the conduct of public affairs re-
quires
If this is demanded to be done, in what
form, through what channels, in what de
gree, officially, shall the administrative
policy be set forth' A very recent in
stance of administrative action" was ex-
hibited in arresting an infraction of our
neutrality laws. But then there was an
occasion for it. The promptness with
which the President vindicated the laws
and honor of the country in that instance,
is warrant enough that there will be no
backwardness to develop an "administra-
tive policy" when there is necessity for it,
By the one act of OBTAINING the armed
steamer "United States" in the port of
New York, until security was given that
she would not involve the Government in
breach of the laws of neutrality, shows
more conclusively than any form of Ian
guage could, that, during this Administra-
ton at least, the obligations of treaties and
the laws of the land shall be enforced.
Here is development Of administrative
policy" of the highest character in point
Of authority, and of the most interesting
nature in regard TO large branch of the
Executive duty. Should General TAYLOR
have imagined a case like that of the
"United States" and proclaimed abroad
what he would do in the premisesl
Let it be borne in mind that General
TAYLOR has upon all occasions announced
himself a Wing, and that his opinions
concerning the power Of Congress TO le-
gislate upon certain great questions Of
domestic policy-the tariff, currency, inn
provement Of our great thoroughfares,
lakes, rivers, and harbors-are precisely
those Of the party. Shall he now pro-
mitigate 'platform" other and diff
ferent from thisl Is il required Of him
now TO make proclamation Of bill of par
ticulars, pIedging himself TO a catalogue of
specifications Does Wing doctrine re-
quire him TO do sol Does il not condemn
any such procedure, either as threat for
Congress, OF as an electioneering ruse for
the people'
When the occasions known TO the Con-
stitution Of the country arrive for recon-
mending general measures to the National
Legislature, the President will be as prompt
TO speak as he has already been swift to
act. There should be no misgivings upon
this subject. Nothing has occurred TO
create any. The great productive inter
ests OF the country may rest satisfied that
they will meet with proper consideration
and encouragement in so far as the Gov
eminent is concerned. Meanwhile it can
not be seriously desired, by the friends Of
the Administration, that he should inter-
fere with the pending elections by devel-
oping new things faster than they arise
for decision and action, or impair his use
iulness in any possible exigency of affairs,