The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-26

such an opposition as "the face of the
| future"-and it is their boast that it mat
tiers not what aspect that may bear.
The Union-Locofoco Magnanimity.
The Union writhes and twists under the
charge which we have driven home upon
it, respecting Wing appointments under
Locofoco administration, like fox with its
tail in steel trap; but its struggles, so far,
have been wholly fruitless. II has not
advanced one step towards extrication,
and we do not perceive how it can be re-
lieved, except by frank acknowledgment
that it stated what was untrue, when it
averred that within its own knowledge
the best Offices were bestowed upon Wings
during the administration of Mr.. Polk.
1t must either justify or retract. There is
not shadow of truth in the allegation,
and nothing is left, therefore, but confess
sion. The Union is not very happy or
clear in its language but it is perhaps un-
reasonable to expect perspicuity and pre-
cision of expression where there is misti-
ness and confusion of ideas. We do not
understand it to reafirm its story about the
"best Offices" To be sure, there is a
languid, uncertain sort of effort to represent
inferior clerkships and other subordinate
stations as the best in the gift of the gov
eminent; but the writer has the grace to
be ashamed of his task, and we let that go,
and turn our attention to the unsupported
declaration by which II attic mpts to parry
our charge, that large number of Wings
were appointed to desirable Offices during
the administration of Mr.. Polk. BY this
the Union means to insinuate or imply
that the policy of that administration in
respect to appointments was liberal and
not proscriptive, and that fair share of
federal patronage was bestowed upon the
Wing party. Such an intimation is too
false and ridiculous even to be laughed at
We do not deny that under Mr.. Polk, as
under every other party President, per-
sonal considerations may have induced the
appointment Of political opponent, here
and there, to post of small importance.
Such thing could hardly fail to occur,
when the Cabinet was composed of men
having large and familiar associations with
persons of all parties. But the instances
were very rare, and they all occurred in
violation of the general policy of the adj
ministration. We have understood that
after the election of General TAYLOR, sew
eral Wings were appointed to inconsid-
cradle Offices in this city, with the assent
of Mr.. Polk. The object was palpable,
and understood by every body. In no in
stance was an appointment prompted by
a feeling of magnanimity or justice. The
object was TO forestall the incoming adj
ministration, and abridge the patronage
of General TAYLOR. The Wings selected
as the object of this pretended, spurious
favor, were persons without special claims
upon the party or the new administration,
and they we're placed in office for that
reason, and possibly TO exclude more de-
serving men. We shall feel obliged 10
the Union for list Of their names.
We cannot call to mind a single Wing
appointment in the early stage of the Polk
administration. The nearest approach to
it was in the case of Southern Wing, who
had narrow escape from the favor OF Mr..
WALKER, Mr., PoLK's Secretary of the
Treasury. The following letter will ex-
plain the circumstance TO which we allude
"MAY4, 1876.
"DEAn SRA; On Saturday last directed your APP
pointment to be made out. Since that period, II
has been made known TO me that you are, and al
ways have been, Wing. This is very unexpected
intelligence TO me. You never did represent your
self TO me as Democrat, but took IL for granted
that such was the fact. II is impossible for me to
make the removal contemplated, for the purpose of
appointing Wing. have felt constrained, there
fore, to revoke the order for your appointment.
regret this occurrence very much. Our short ac-
quaintance had made strong impression on my
mind in your favor, and still believe that person.
ally, you are entitled to my respect and esteem;
but under the circumstances, I cannot make the
removal and appointment as intended. take plea.
sure in saying that your department throughout
has been correct and honorable
"Yours, very respectfully,
"R. j. WALKER