The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-19
Mr.. Bradbury's Resolution.

from office, on Friday last. 1t was taken
up, and made the special order for Thurs
day of this week. The accumulation of
special orders before the Senate, and the
general desire of Senators to be heard
upon the momentous questions involved
in the multifarious propositions before the
body, render it uncertain when any mat
ter will be disposed of but we may re-
gard this preparatory movement upon the
resolution of Mr.. BRADBURY as conclu-
sive of a determination to take final action
upon it in due time.
There is no feature in the policy of the
Administration Of General TAYLOR which
has been made the subject of such perse-
vering and reckless Misrepresentation and
abuse, as the change in federal Off
GERS; and we trust that the Senate, which
divides with the Executive, to certain
degree, the responsibility Of these changes,
will discuss the question fully and in all
its bearings. 1t is too late to deny or doubt
the right Of the PRESIDENT, under the
Constitution, to remove at his pleasure
That point was defnitively settled years
ago, by the competent authority. For
the exercise of this function, he is re-
sponsible to the country The Senate
has the right to refuse its concurrence
in the nominations of the Executive and
for the exercise of this power Of negation,
the members are responsible to their con-
stituents. But they have no authority or
right 10 abridge or restrict in any way the
power of appointment. 1t is the consttu-
tional prerogative of the PRESIDENT. No
statesman OF repute has ever seriously
maintained that removals from office were
in derogation of the rights Of any other
branch of the Government; nor has it been
contended successfully that there is either
usurpation or injustice to individuals in
President filling the important offices with
men who sympathize with his views Of
public policy, and who will cooperate with
him faithfully and heartily in executing the
laws for admins tering the affairs of the
nation.
The country has never had Chief
Magistrate more ayerse to prescription
more unalterably opposed TO rewarding
party service by Executive favor, or more
anxious that every competent and honest
officer under the Government should re-
main undisturbed, than General TAYLOR.
But what was he TO dol He entered upon
the duties of the Executive office under
circumstances unusual and peculiar He
found every considerable office filled by a
member of the party which had been
overthrow by his election. He found his
friends under the ban of proscription-not
one of them in place of honor or emolu-
ment, but all excluded by rule as rigid
and memorable as an imperial ukase. For
this condition Of things neither Gene
raj TAYLOR nor the Wing party was re-
sponsible Immediately or remotely. The
practice which led TO it was introduced
under the auspices Of the men who now
control the action of the Locofoco party
The motto of the party was officially pro-
mulgated, ''to the victors belong the
spoils. They induced General JACKSON to
adopt a course which could not fail TO con-
strain Wing Executive TO apply reme-
dial measures, whenever that party OBJ
tanned the ascendency. A line Of policy
which involved the treatment OF one
half the people of the United States as
political helots, must impose the necessity
of change, on change Of administration.
Neither self-respect, nor justice TO the
prescribed, would permit such a system
Of exclusion TO be perpetuated. During
the Presidential canvass General TAY-
LoR often spoke OF the expectation and
desire Of the people for change Of
men and measures. He was anxious
and determined not 10 remove any man
merely on account of his political opin-
ions. He had reason TO suppose that
there were many incompetent and unwor-
thy men in office. These he would of
course replace by honest and capable
friends-men who would render him eff
cient aid in bis work of introducing re-
form in the several branches of the Gov
eminent, instead of obstructing and thwart-
ing his design of purifying the public ser
vice The defalcations and malfeasance
disclosed by means of these removals, and
the vigilance Of their successors and his
other selected auxiliaries, furnish con-
elusive evidence of the necessity of the
changes, independent Of the justice Of
equalizing executive favor among the peo-
pie composing the two great parties with
which the country is divided. If this de-
sired equilibrium had been attained by
the substitution Of qualified and honest
men for officials of this description, reno
walls would then have ceased. But such
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