The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-19

The Republic has canting article on the subject Of
removals from Office, in the course OF which the editor
assumes that the editor OF the Richmond Enquirer oil
former times the advocate Of removals. This false
ssue and evasion OF the question: alike illogical and
unjust Suppose il true, yet proves nothing II
the Republics quotation were correct goes only 10
show the opinion Of individual the state Of things
then existing But happens be false even to this
extent.
He says that that journal he Union) cannot be sin-
cee sits Indignation is Artificial The editor Of the
Republic then quotes from the Richmond Enquirer Of
$780, prove that the Enquirer OF that in favor
Of ndiscrminate removals. But il his quotation were
correct goes only to show that the Richmond Enquirer
then considered that Mr.. Grnndys speech proves the
power Of the President to make removals Who doubts
this proposition It 10 admitted on all hands But the
issue raised by General Taylor is entirely Of different
description.
General Taylor, while candidate for the presidency
and soliciting the suffrages OF his fellow-czens took
occasion to write several letters. which published
under his own signature in which be assertednot in
corner, but proclaimed on The house.tops and in the
placeshai he belonged 10 no party and that il
elected he should be the President Of the republic and
Of parytha he had no friends 10 rsWardor enemies
cere. and the people voted accordingly But, to make
douby sure. President Taylor in his naugu
raj message proclaimed to the nation that the only qua
fcaiions for Office should be honesty. capacity, and
fidelity" These on mature reflection, and, il may be
assumed, consultation with his cabinet coming into
power. were declaaory Of the sentiments announced
in his letters before the election They were well cal
cuated to quiet any msgvings the part Of any Office
- xuI
But what was the result Of all these professional He
was fully installed in Office than he commenced
the work Of indiscriminae prescription for opinions sake
Instead Of looking into the manner in which the Offices
had been adminsterednstead Of examining testimony
on both Sides and giving honest officers chance oinves
gae charges and confront their accusers. he kept the
charges in profound secret and removed all officers Of
any importance, without regard to character capa
city, There not only removals here and there. Of
persons who were deemed incompetent but geographical
removals. at random, and without any He and his
cabinet officers pounced down upon States and whole
sections Of the country in fell swoops SUCCESSFULLY. Like
the agents Of the Holy Inquson. the instruments Of the
Executive. for their convenience, visited whole
tons OF this free republic and swept from Office be-
cause they did coincide explicitly the tenes Of the
political church. II is not to be supposed that all the
public officers any particular State, became corrupt
the same day; and yet the days paper announced
the removal Of all the officers in particular sections and
States No cause assigned for their removal They
were not heard in selfdefence Had the President an.
nounced his intention to for political opinions,
the case would have been different Bot be took especial
pains 10 proclaim that no man should be removed on po-
iiical grounds Removals only be on account Of
want OF honeay, capacity, and fidelity" Hence the In
ference was that those removed were TUNED out in con.
sequence of the OF of these essential quail
ifcaiions II thus that the Executive in removing
an officer blasted his character as Citizen This is
just oil complaint Of every removed officer against
the President. What right has the President or any
member OF his cabinet 10 attempt thus brand the char
acter OF czen II the position had been honestly as
sumed that officers TO be removed for not voting for
General Taylor, the would have been different.
They might well vote for General Case without beng
considered either dishonest incapable, unfahful In
such case, their honor would still be unmpeached But
the matter stands their characters denounced
by the Executive. What impartial man does not repudi-
ate this prescription
In The course Of the investigations in regard to the Gal.
phn claim the Republic expressed holy horror the idea
that high cabinet officer should have been presumed TO
have acted on other than fair and honorable motives
Some days ago there much parade manifested in
gard to injured innocence And yet the cabinet allow
secret charges TO- be made against public officers Of less
note, and them be removed, and their characters
denounced without giving them chance to be heard 10
self defence The heads OF departments allow charges
to be made, which officers removed and. IL those
officers 20 the Departmental ascertain what the charges
are they told that il is contrary to the regulations
10 allow the papers TO be scent Can anything be
monsrous than this conduct One would suppose thai
least Mr. Crawford would stand up in his place in the
cabinet, and insist on every public officer having the
right TO the papers and make out his defence. But
no such thing He sits with folded arms, and allows
unfoundei accusations TO be made against officers
honest himself Why should not receiver OF public
moneys. collector. postmaster, be entitled the
same privileges that his friends claim for him. It is
poor rule that will not work both ways
The fact is. the Republic attempts 10 evade the true
question by raising false issue. II is not question OF
the power Of the President 10 remove officers. but Of in
discriminate removals for opinions sake The Pres-
dent obtained his Office by declaring certain set Of prin
eiples, and. among others, determination remove no
for his political predictions As soon az he OBJ
tanned power. be removed all officers for their political
predictions. This is the true and only issue
There is no Disgusting this issue. His declarations
are record, and his opposite practice is on rec