The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-04

When public journal, protesting to speak
in the name of great party, calls the Cabinet
selected by the PRESIDENT san impotent,
corrupt, and irresponsible cabal )" when, in
speaking of the PRESIDENT, it says that ga
man has been elevated to the Chief Magistracy
who is ignorant, and likely to continue igno-
rant, of civil affairs, and who has signed his
name to a recommendation which is not worthy
of respectful considerations" such style of
language may indicate a taste, and manifest a
spirit, characteristic enough in their way, with
out possessing much efficacy in directing or in
forming an intelligent public opinion.
There are some who, in the prosecution of
political controversies, seem to take their
stand upon firm belief in popular ignorance
and popular credulity, and boldly practise upon
that article of faith. IL ultimate failure shall
await such desperate Adventures; if long
persistence in course so begun, and so con
tinued, shall fail to give them any commanding
hold upon the public confidence and respect,
such result, while it would excite no sur
prise, would be one which good men would not
deplore.
We do not undertake to sustain the PREsI-
DENTS recommendations in reference to Califor-
MIA and the Territories, son the ground that they
emanate from one who fills the chair and avoids
the responsibilities of the Chief Magistracy."
we quote these phrases Of disparagement should
be the last in the whole country to recognise the
fact that General TAYLOR is every inch Presi-
dent, meeting every responsibility his high of
flee, and discharging to the full every duty which
it imposes, the time may come, and that right
speedily, when even its perverse unwilingness
to acknowledge the truth may have to yield
The country is pretty well aware. by this time,
that ZACHARY TAYLOR, at the head of the
Government, is the same man whom they
knew as ''RouGH AND READY" in the war
with Mexico
The vituperative assaults upon the Cabinet
which the Union and other kindred journals
are in the habit Of making, and which they
make with ceaseless reiteration of abusive
| epithets, as though a charge by constant repet-
tion might give some appearance of consistency
| to compensate for its want of uth.-these in
cessant attacks upon the Cabinet, shameless
and unfounded as they are, generally go hand
in hand with imputatons of imbecility upon
| the PRESIDENT. But this sort of random abuse
never yet was able to influence public senti-
ment to the permanent prejudice of any admin
| istration, which, in the confidence inspired by
| the consciousness of official duties faithfully
performed, might invite the inspection of fair
II IL, 81
conclusion to which the public Judgment, en-
| lightened by knowledge of facts, must inevi-
iably come We can. without dstrust OF APP
prehension. predicate such conclusion with
respect to this Administration, which has never
shown, and which. we venture 10 say, never
will show, any want either Of capacity, integ-
rity. OF of fidelity to the CONSTITUTION.
! The Union, from which we have quoted
above, might have cause TO remember that Gen.
JACKSON was once denounced for want of ac-
quantance with civil affairs; and, if we are not
mistaken. some Of his denouncers went so far
as TO say, that his election to the Presidency
would be curse to the country. There was a
change of opinion upon this point in some quar-
ters-the Union may possibly know some of the
particulars. We do not care, for our own part,
to 90 so far hack into the details of political his
tory-although there are many points of inte-
rest connected with the annals Of former years
that might repay the trouble Of investigation.
The present time, however. gives proof that
there are journals, now profuse in eulogiums
upon Mr.. CLAY, which formerly could never
mention his name but in terms Of obloquy--
journals which have been brought, for the first
time, to appreciate the merits of that veteran
statesman. So the world goes-but truth, and
honesty, and patriotism, can always hold their
own.