The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-22

New York, Thursday, March 49, 1640s
Is News from Europe.
The steamship Canada is now In her twelfth
day, and her news may be expected over the wires
at every moment.
Tho President and tho 0abinst-TroubIe
about the Nominations.
A good deal Of sensation has been produced on
the public mind, by the information that the Senate
had rejected Mr.. McGaughey as Governor of MI
nesota This was probably one Of the most impor-
tant nominations that has been made by the
President since he sent in his cabinet to the Senate
for confirmation, and the rejection came with sur
prise the country, and left an intense desire to
know the causes which induced the Senate to act
as they have done, In refusing to confirm it. Since
the vote OF the Senate disclosed, the Washing
ton spondents of all parties have given their
versions Of the affair." which are more or less exag-
gerated, and more less correct in the details of
the matter. Our correspondents have alluded to
the rejection several occasions, and one of
them, IN to-days paper, goes into somewhat of a
minute state ment Of tho causes which led to the
nomination, as well as those of Its rejection by the
Senate.
1t appears that the nomination of Mr.. McGaugh-
ey, az we have heretofore surmlsed, originated
Department. Mr. Ewing's career, as politician,
is well known to the country; he was member of
the cabinet under General Harrison, but was enc
of the first to sesede from it and explode it after the
death of General Harrison, and on the accession
of Jehn Tyler Mr.. Ewing is man Of considerable
talent but we believe he is an ultra wing in feel
Ing, purposes, and views. We are also informed
that he has lately procured appointments for his bro
tbar,p lar h,uf oth sp1o onl
other connections, during the brief career of the
present administration. 1t also believed that he
disposed to indulge in general clearance Of all
office holders under his control, whatever may be
their qualifications, their principles, or their gene
raj character.
If these statements be correct-and we have
Them from good authority-Mr. Ewing certainly
goes little beyond the programme of the admi.
alstraton, which we were led to expect, by the
etters OF General Taylor before the election, and
by his inaugural address since his accession to
power. The appointment and confirmation of
crowd of nomlnees-members of his own family
becomes a delicate matter for the Senate even to
proceed on; but the nomination Of such man a.
Mr. McGaughey Is represented, on all hands, to be,
with his late career In he House with reference
to the Mexican war, was certainly trespasslng, in
administration, which We were led to expect from
General Taylor. His rejection, according to the
best accounts, seems to have been justified on the
part of the Senate, and we have no doubt that it
will be concurred In by the President himself,
when all the facts of the case sha have been cor
rectly represented to him. Mr.. McGaughey's
conduct in Congress, on the Mexican war, was
unpatrotic, anti-Amerlcan, anti-nationa and DIS
Aifokl h. ,uk
fed that the President never, Of his own volition
and knowledge of the man, would have sent In his
nomination to the Senate for combinations and
we are equally satisfied that the cabinet commit.
ted great error in recommending man whose
nomination compelled SO grave and d,gnlfied a
body as the Senate to act as it has done, on the
very threshold of the new administration, and to
rebuke the President in the discharge of an i'm.
portant duty.
What IL past, however, can't be recalled; but
1t may lead to greater care, and more regard for
propnety, on the part of the Presidents advisers.
for the future II is true that General Taylor being
the President OF the United States, and ,he head |
OF the administration, is, the ordinary sense of
the term, responsible to the American people for |
all the nominations, acts and measures, that he |
may recommend; but 1t is no less true, that while |
~f'~' aioe AcSai position, une WQOlc OF
moral responsibility of the administration will be
visited on Mr. Clayton and his cole agues in the
cabinet, whoever they may be. General Taylor
was called to the high place which he now fills,
from conviction, on the part OF the American
people, Of his high moral character, his uncou.
querable patriotism, his purity of purpose and his
genuine American feelings. He Is not and could
not from has previous life, be acquainted with the
data In of off la ccx
ter, or all those small matters which are SO ab.o.
luttly necessary to be known in the performance
of The most ordinary public duties. To assist him
in this branch OF his administrations he calls to his
aid cabinet of public men, eminent statesmen,
well acquainted with the details of public affairs
and with the capacity and character of candidates
Tor the Offices to which they may aspire. If bad
nj mna'ions and improper appointments be made |
uLder such advisers, the moral responsibility rests
win them; and If SO, the President would |
Oe Ios'nled' In the event of any gross de-
i.'on oeihg Practiscd on him, TO dismiss
eDe INDIVIDUAL from his cabinet at a mo-
"ainng' who had acted in that man.
nei anu III 'his prompt and equitable course of
~r".I. o n,'er'cah people would support Gen.
Apio. against all inc clques and all the trading
f 'a. eou'o s'ahd In row from Wash |
lngton to San Francisco, California 80"
Under this view of the matter. and Viii. m
iac's IN relation to the nomination and rs;.o,,a
OF Mr.. McGaughey, we think the Senate are n.r.
tectly justified in the course they have pursued.
and that the cabinet have committed gross error
in recommending to our patriotic President the
nomination of such man to such high office.
involving such responsibility, and In bringing |
about such collision at this early stage between
he new President and the United States Senate.