The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-15
Congress.

verted to a rumor that MIR. FILLMORE, while
the presiding officer Of that body, aware of the
possibility that the casting vote on the Com
promise measures might be thrown upon him,
| had determined to vote against them; and that
he had, moreover, prepared paper in advance,
| giving his reasons for the vote which he might
be called upon to give. Mr.. PRATT, on the
authority of the PRESIDENT, contradicted this
rumor as totally unfounded, and said that the
PRESIDENT was, during the whole period in
which the measures were discussed, in favor of
them, and would have voted for them to secure
their passage.
The Deficiency bill was considered and,
without coming TO a conclusion, the Senate adj
journed until Monday.
The House of Representatives was not in
session, having adjourned over To Monday.
| Tho Administration and its AssaiIants.
| 1t may well be questioned whether the lusses
and embarrassments to which the opponents Of
an administration are frequently exposed, are
not more than counterbalanced by their com
parative exemption from official responsibility,
and the latitude Of speech incident to their po-
stion. They lack the advantages ordinarily
associated with the idea of Executive influ-
ence, and are ever eager TO obtain it; but, on
the other hand they have the satisfaction of
knowing that the history Of fire., governments
guarantees to them the right of finding fault
without Limitation, and il may be with very
remote chance Of exposure. They enjoy IL
cense TO pick holes in the policy of the
Government, with little liability Of being
called upon to repair them. They are at lib
erty from day TO day to exhibit its weaknesses
and blunders, without being required to
show the mode by which, in similar circum-
stances, they would have arrived at different
results. They can win reputation for patriot
ism by demonstrating the want Of il in the
Government; and can build for their party
character as economists by an ingenious display
Of real or imagined extravagances ON the part
Of the powers that be. Nothing is easier or
safer than this guerilla mode Of assaulting an
adversary, and with certain classes nothing can
be more popular.
We will not do Senators GwIN and HUNTER
the injustice Of imagining that they desire to
avail themselves OF the traditional liberty
possessed by their party. to perpetuate inten-
tional wrong towards the Administration or
any Of its members. We accord to both gentle
men the respect to which their position, ability,
and general fair dealing entitle them; and
readily admit that their condemnation Of the
conduct Of certain departments and officers Of
the Government proceeded from an honorable
desire 20 increase the efficiency Of the public
service. But neither sincerity nor ability can
alter the fact that the grounds Of their attack
were singularly ilI-chosen; nor can either save
them from the snnoysnces that must follow an
authoritative and unanswerable exposure Of
their mistakes. They assailed the Adminstra-
ton for. acts and imputed errors little under
stood by the country. They have therefore no
right to complain Of the animadverson TO which
they will be subjected, now that the country is
in possession Of a full view Of the facts on
which they lsbored to build their sweeping
charges.
The speech Of Senator PEARcE--issued in
a supplement TO this journal on Tuesday last
turns the tables on both gentlemen ellcctually.
II exhibits their imperfect acquaintance with
the SUBJECTS on which their eloquence was ex-
ehdcd--iheir forgetfulncss in relation to &C.
currences essential TO a just understanding Of
the case-and their unfortunate inclination 10
arrive at conclusions exactly opposite to those
warranted by circumstances. II any thing
could add TO the crushing effect Of Mr.. PE,RcE's
elaborate effort, il would be the clearness, pre-
cision, aud admirable temper that are manifest
throughout the " hole of It. At home on each
Of the topics, he has called into play none Of
the adventitious aids Of rhetoric or eloquence,
but has c0ntented himself with a statement Of
the various charges, and lucid review Of facts
necessary to their refutaiion. His twenty five
columns are, altogether, plain. common-sense
statement Of matters of much practical import
ance--a business like. unambItious vindication
Of departments and funetionaries that have
every thing TO gain from full revelation Of
the truth.
With the view Of yet more widely difIusing
the correct version Of occurrences concerning
which the Executive officers have been 80 in
dustriuusly maligned. we proceed 10 present
the prominent facts brought 10 light by Mr..
PsARcE, apart from the multiplicity Of details
necessarily introduced into the discussion in the
Senate.
The charges advanced by Mr. Gwir refer
mainly to proceedings connected with Califor-
mia, and in many instances involve the charac-
ter Of the late administration rather than that
Of the present The first allegation is that
Mr.. +. BUTLER kIro was appointed by Gen.
eral TAYLOR special agent to California while
yet member Of tho House; and therefore in
violation u a provision Of the Constitution. IL