The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-15
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.


/
Executive Independence.
| NEW YORK, August IL, 1851.
Ii is quite rereshng in these degenerate days, TO see
an executive officer exhibit traits of independence OF char
acler, and determination TO perform his duty untram
meled by partisan influence by considerations personal
to himself alone When Gen Jackson set the example OF
taxing the responsibility, and exercising the powers vested
in him by the constitution for the good OF his country.
without reference the remonstrances OF md friends
the threats of exasperaed foes, the political world was
electrified all parties startled, and portion OF
the democracy itself for the moment doubtful as TO
the expedency of the adoption OF measures OF such unex
ampled bodDess Reflection, however, soon brought to
the minds OF all the fact that the executive branch OF the
general government had its discretionary powers its du
ties and its responsibilities. well the legislative
People came to understand that the Chief Magstra OF
this great nation not intended by the constitution Tor
puppet They began TO examine into the Independent
OF action set foot and followed out by President
Jackson Examination resulted in APPRECIATION admlra-
ton, and eventually imitation, until Tor the time our ex-
ecuve officers of every grade seemed disposed TO
the responsibility, and act for the best good OF their
constituents, without regard TO the effect such action
might have upon their chances OF reelection SO
much for the example OF dsineested as well as great
energetic and resoute as well as GOOD
and patriotic President While the influence of this ex
ample lasted il infused new life and vigor into repub
can institutions; it breathed healthy tone into our
whole system of government, made it more efficient as
well as more benefcent and brought it, perhaps, as near
to perfection as it was capable OF being.
Such state OF things too good to last. Republic
can statesman when elevated 10 high Office by the votes
OF their fellow citizens too prone to expend their
efforts in the attempt 10 secure the permanency OF he
position, rather than exercise its the promo
lion of the public veal The successor OF that man who,
though he never expended thought upon his re-elec
ton, might had he been willing, have been chosen Pres
dent long his life and faculties continued was one
whose every act and every aspiration was directed to-
wards the ulion of second term He was disappointed
he lost only the object Of his ambition, but what
was OF infinitely more Importance he sacrificed the
tendency Of the democratic party. Of the gallant but
worn-out and broken-down veteran who next assembled
the presidential chair, catch but slight glimpse, for
he had scarcely time TO make his bow before death I'M
tremendously hurried him of the scene What little
do see, however only serves TO strengthen the i'm
preston had formed, that he would have governed
accordance with the dictates of the willy politicians
who surrounded him, rather than upon such lofty, dsin
teresed and independent principles animated General
Jackson The very amabe and agreeable gentleman
who filled the seat vacated by the decease OF General
Harrison undoubtedly took upon him the duties OF his
office with determination to exercise them conscien
tously and well-for, amid all the unfavoable crcum
stances by which he surrounded occasionally CLEAN
forth the tokens of bold, dsnteresed spirit But the
crown too heavy for his bows he lacked the conf
dence of both the great parties; they moderated him.
but not sadly he ovea,ed himself when he took an
appeal TO the people--an appeal which, notwthsand
ing il bu, too freely sustained by official influence
and patronage. was unavaiing. Pending these two
presidential terms, the spirit OF executive independence
and activity, which had been fortunately aroused by
the stirring events which characterized the adrnsra
ton OF General Jackson had been ued 10 sleep again
II was for President Polk to revive it, and TO certain
extent he did SO. Mr. Polk came into Office with
luton to second term this resolution he early
announced and adhered 10 with mistaken determination
10 the last. His administration independent; his
course was straightforward manly, and disnleresed
Under any circumstances it would have been so but in.
asmuch a election, with lis temptations TO make il
otherwise, was not in view. his example not of 80
much weight il might have been, and under his sue
the impression which it made seems already
oberaied.
This train OF reflection has been induced by an occa
sonal observation OF the different, points OF view taken
by different parties and cques relation TO the connexicn
between the present administration and the Compromise
measures passed the last session There portion
OF the wing party which claims for the President and
his advisers the whole merit OF these great paccatoy
steps. Others of the party contend that the wing
Executive and cabinet had nothing TO do with them, ex
cept refrain, pure matter Of expediency, from veto
ing them They utterly discaim them any part of the
whg policy and clamor for the repeal OF one all important
act which they esteem especially obnoxious That clique
OF self styled democrats who known free soers
and banburners profess recognise the Compromise
distinctly and empha,cay wing measure, and advance
that as why the democracy should refuse il their
support while the democracy take their own, and
very different, view OF the whole matter Now, without
going into any argument upon the subject II strikes
that the whole controversy is al set at rest by
mens consideration OF the characteristics of the present
whg Executive. and OF his claims independence and
estedness in the exercise of his Office Had
Jackson or Polk held the reins OF power, would there
have been any room for question in regard 10 the
part they had taken in the enactment Of OF such
vital importance 10 the welfare of the country Would
their action have been OF such feeble and inefficient
character that their friends and foes could find to
dispute in regard TO il And yet the freesoll wings
not far on, OF the way when they say that all the present
administration has done is to Teain from veioing the
Compromise though we would fain hope The motive
which restrained il better one than that OF mere
expectancy Mr. Fillmore has, indeed. avowed a
resolution sustain the law since il has passed but we
look in vain for any indication OF his appreciation Of the
great principles upon which the Compromise was founded
or his anxiety for its adoption These great measures,
although in part originated by patriotic wings were 81
ously conceived Of introduced, supported and
rej through by the democratic party, and without them
they would have been defeated. Mr.. Fillmore neither
suggested nor, discover, approved OF them SO
far as independent, and dsntercsied action goes, be
mig BIT take a lesson from our WING mayor who has nom
mated the best he knew for chief OF police, though
Democrat and violently opposed by the wing politicians