The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-05

len under the guidance Of democratic Presidents
4 was soon found. ~ the willy leaders Of isds-
ralsm BY whom he was surrounded. that this "Sss-
ond Washington" was mere creature OF the imagine
hon. and that General Taylor by whom this ideal person
age was represented. was man of very ordinary
capacity wholly unacquanted with the affairs Of govern
ment and wholly ignorant Of public men, and was there
fore obliged TO throw himself into the hands Of his cab
net 10 be used as they pleased He was first persuaded
into the belief that the cabinet alone was the responsible
Executives that all power vested in that body; and
that the President Of the United States created by the con-
sution and the people, but equal at the board OF
the cabinet council with the Secretaries whom he had
himself created, and could at any time uncreas He
accordingly voted equal in the councils Of the
cabinet often voted down by his cabinet MEMBERS
and gave that pifu reason TO his friends excuse
for not doing things which they expected from him. In
accordance with the same degrading policy, General
Taylor permitted all applications for Office to be presented
first to the Secretaries, and then brought before the cab
net council for decision and appointment Thus did the
willy cabinet by whom General Taylor was surrounded
succeed in persuadng him to consent to virtual abdca-
ton Of the duties Of the presidential office and their in
vestment in the cabinet; AND THUS WAS THE DEGRADE
TIoE OF PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE
PERSON Or ZACHARY TAYLOR.
Then followed the most remorseess prescription Of all
persons holding Offices who differed in opinion from
the party in power in wanton and ruthless violation Of
every pledge made by General Taylor and his leading
supporters previous to the election. So sweeping has
been this prescription, and openly dsregardfn Of all
truth and consistency the part Of General Taylor and
his leading supporters, that the American people would
not now believe the positive assurance on the respon.
sbiity Of either all Of them. relating political affairs
Such has been the effect Of this bold and audacious viola
ton Of solemn pledges upon the political veracy Of Gen
Taylor and his cabinet And if such were it's only dis.
astrous consequence il could perhaps be lamented
But in addition to the public discredt which such con-
duct has brought upon Gen. Taylor and the admnstra-
ton has excited suspicion and dsrust in the minds OF
the people Of all public II has, in short democrat
lied public sentiment with regard to public men, and laid
the foundation for evils yet experienced nor antc
pated.
Another feature Of the policy Of the administration was
its non-committasm upon measures of public policy.
From the 5th day Of March. ls4s to the assembling Of
Congress- one-not even its intimate friends knew
what TO be the domestic policy Of the administration
When Congress met the veil Of secrecy sdawn aside
The message made it's appearance and the weak docu-
ment, with effort at simplicity which made ii truly
tempble, announced to the world that the cabinet was
in favor Of the old exploded system Of monopoly attempt
ed to be concealed from the people under the dis
guse Of protective tariff and its cognate and auxiliary
measure, the system Of internal improvements On all
other subjects the document weak, tame non-com
initial, and, as a State paper, truly contemplate.
Another prominent feature OF the policy of the admin
straton 10 squander the peoples money, and run
the government into debt and hence almost every de-
partment and bureau of the government, in the short
period of nine months. expended s contingent fund.- anti
cpaed its appropriations. and applied to Congress for
money So eager the cabinet to impress the fact upon
the country that the revenues Short and the gov.
ernment running into debt that it formally announc-
ed. in advance Of the meeting Of Congress- deficit Of
sixteen millions Of dollars falsely alleging that it was
created by the Mexican war;
The effect Of the policy and acts which we have 80
hastily and imperfecty reviewed might easily be antic
paied The administration Frustrated before the peo
pie in the first nine months Of its career. and il
compelled TO face Congress with maiortes in both houses
against III and il has continued to decline in popularity
and influence, until, at the present moment, il has not
half dozen members in either body who viii ayow
themselves responsible for its acts II is without apary
in Congress upon which rely and the only hope Of
the party by which il elected is in its dissolution and
reorganization The capacity Of General Taylor has been
tested; and the belief Of large majority Of his country
men is, that he has not the ability to perform success
fully the duties OF the high Office to which he has been
elevated His cabinet has also been tested and the gen.
ea sentiment is, that II is unequal to the duties which
devolve upon it II has brought reproach and dicule
upon ITSELF by its ruthless prescription in violation Of the
sacred promises OF its head, its foolish chickering's with
foreign powers. its noncommalism the questions Of
legislative policy which agiste the public mind. and its
ncapaciy and want Of moral courage to grappe with the
great question which agita,es the republic and me-
lis peace and tranquility. II the administration
shall continue during the next year lis downward career
with the rapdiy il has gone during the year Just
past requires prophetic inspiration predict its fate
and the fate Of the party whose destiny blended with it
What that fate viii be- il is not necessary for
say.
The view York Meeting.
We Law beforc our reader. fhe vary int uro.