The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-22
Capitulation aud General Taylor To the
Cabinet.


Since the occurrence OF the events OF the last few
days. it is not to be denied that General Taylor has for
maly, publicly and Internationally capitulaed al sur
rendered TO the cabinet Nor are we disappointed al
such result. far as he is concerned II is fit and
proper denouement OF the drama which has been playing
for the last thirteen months in the executive department
Of the government.
And what other conclusion Of General Taylors polt
cal career could expect, when we take into view
his past history Forty years ago he joined the army in
the capacity Of subaern 1t is not pretended that he
then remarkable for his intellectual gifts or his at
ainmens in valuable and solid knowledge. He passed
through war-that OF lsl2-without performing any
action worthy Of note doing the least thing dis.
tngush himself, notwithstanding almost every other
officer distinguished himself by some brilliant exploit
There circumstance recorded of him, in the history
OF the last war, to rescue his from the obscury
which surrounded it when he first entered the army
and thus he continued during period Of about forty
years, doing nothing TO distinguish him soldier, to
indicate that he had superior capacities Of any kind,
rising only by that fixed rule Of promotion which elevaes
all in the line of promotion without regard capacity
particular merit AT length the accidents of the Next
can war-the fortuous position of General Taylor at
liant achievements resulting from the science Skill and
bravery of the officers and under his command, the
sparkling gloes of which clustered around his name in
consequence of his position-rescued him from com
parave obscurty and made him President Of the United
States.
Thus was his whole life spent in the camp. In that
school he received all the education and learning which
he possessed the time of his elevation to the pres
dency He had opportunity TO study and comprehend
the great science Of and the duties of states
manshp, the most elevated Of all duties had he an
opportunity become acquainted with political men,
to acquire the more practical experience which was
cessary to render him fit and competent for the exalted
Office OF the Chief Magistrate Of great nation. There
fore, when he into the Office of the presidency, he
obliged, Of necessity 10 depend entirely upon the
men whom he should draw around him as cabinet ad.
visers The result has been what every rational and
thinking expected General Taylor has been obliged
depend upon his cabinet counseors entirely in the dis
charge OF his duties His very first act after he assumed
the Office Of the presidency, to acknowledge his in
capacity and ncompetency TO discharge his official duties,
by devovng them upon his Secretaries He forced.
by the necessity OF his position, himself of from
all comexion with the people having business with the
Executive, in the first instance, and them over
his Secretaries Immediately after his installation in
Office il was proclaimed that he would receive no papers,
petitions applications relating business OF any
kind connected with his Office; and that all business
must be referred, in the first instance the head of the
department having il in charge
This resolve OF the Executive put him at once into the
hands OF the willy and INSCRIPTIONS men by whom he
surrounded It, in fact gave them almost absolute
and supreme control the executive department OF
the government nasmuch they thus enabled to
prepare and shape business they pleased. before it
came under the action Of the President himself But
this not a sufficient degradation Of the President
his submission must be absolute bis subjugaiion must
be completes he must essentially and substantially abd
cate the powers Of his high Office to the cabinet in order
make the revolution complete in the executive depart
Of the government which they contemplated and
were striving TO accomplish. Hence, Gen. Taylor
induced believe that in all cabinet councils be pos.
ssssed no more power and dignity President OF the
United States than any one Of its other members-ihat
all were, the cabinet conclaye, on terms OF equality
each having equal voice in lis deliberations and
the President no more voice than the others And
such was the actual practice of.the cabinet until the
fact to the public ear, and the practice received
public condemnation and rebuke Indeed, the fact was
mol uenleu, beneral IN the
simplicity and weakness OF his character admitted that
he voted spon equal terms with his cabinet ministers
in the cabinet council and gave as reason to his poti-
cal friends why they did not get the appointments which
they desired, that he voted dorn by the majority Of
the cabinet. He Also we are informed, in the verdan.
cy Of his nature kensd his cabinet TO court MARTIAL
in which every member had an equal voice. Long ago.
therefore, he had been induced abdcae and had ac
ally ADVOCATED, THE HIGH DUTIES OF HIS oyFIcE TO HIS
CABINET coUssELLoRs Thus was a virtual and substan
tia revolution effected in this government by which an
irresponsible cabinet concave substituted for a re-
sponsble Executive II was a necessary result from the
incapacity and nexpenence OF General Taylor who was
in consequence OF such ncapaey and nexperience CON-
PEELED depend upon others for the execution Of his
own high official functions. And thus The cabinet, IL,
fact, became The President violation of both the letter
and the spirit Of the constitution.
And with such facts Of history before our eyes, ought
wrought any one-o be surprised at the events Of the
last few days. Ought to be surprised at the open
and public captulaton OF the President to his cabinet,
and his consequent official degradation which the people
Of the United States have had the modification to wit
ness We alude to the deposition and Dismissal OF the
editors Of the Republic, Of whom has been for years
his confidential friend and counsellor who came to his
city in order to be his person. and conduct the
organ Of his administration The cabinet by its prac-
tees and lie policy, had made itself odious to large por