The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-17
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Helping General Pierce.


racy of the country when nineteen of the
twenty three Democratic electors who assem-
bled the other day at Columbus signed round
robin in favor Of Colonel MEDARY's appoint
ment to seat in General PIERcE's Cabinet.
They struck out new path for the develop
ment Of the party's corruption in States; they
showed how journalists who fail in their vo-
cation may be- provided for at the country's
cost; and more than all. they indicated a
method in which General PIERCE may he re-
leved from the labor and odium and response
bilty which would ordinarily devolve upon
him as the constructor of the coming Cabinet.
True is that editors and letter-writers have
for weeks past employed themselves in helping
General PIERCE; at one time descanting upon
the merits or drawbacks of prominent poll
ticians; at another, rescuing from dark oh
livion a whole batch Of "village Hampdens"
and again favoring him with complete pro-
gramme of appointments from Secretary of
State downward The labor may have been
prompted by the purest of motives; but the
public are prone to think otherwise, and Gen
eral PIERCE, with the sagacity that is ascribed
to him, will be constrained to seek assistance
in other quarters. A gracious bow is due to
gentlemen who would present Cabinet ready
to his hands, but bow is the only recognition
he can extend to them. Their lists, though
pretty and persuasive, are too suspicious to be
touched.
From this difficulty the Ohio Democrats de-
sire to relieve the President elect by transferring
to the States the privilege and task of making
appointments; graduating the degree conferred
by each particular State according to the strength
of its Democratic majority. The pretension
is plausible one for these progressive days: it
he'll s the President elect, in the first place; it
is an article added to the State Rights creed,
in the second place; and in the third place it is
the precursor of movement for rending Cabi-
net officers elective. The Kilkenny fight be-
tween the Hunkers and Barnburners of New
York suggests some difficulties in carrying out
the plan, but they are trivial in comparison
with the advantages to be gained.
Ohio has already one adherent, and that is
Wisconsin, which proposes to improve the
original plan by converting caucus for the
purpose OF nominating the States proportion of
office holders. We gather the information
from Wisconsin papers, one OF whlch-the
Milwaukee Sentinel Of the 9th instant--repro-
duces the following from the Watertown Re
gister, Democratic "organ," evidently some
VIVA, out of temper il not out of tune:
ave learn that proposition ID on foot for the
holding of a Legislative caucus at Madison for the
purpose of designating the individuals entitled to
TO- n(t b, aIf,ip t.trn Ne
move that the whole matter be referred to the
vention on the 18th. Our brethren of the quill are
best able TO Judge of politicians honesty and in
tegrity, and if they unable TO decide between
rival candidates, they can appropriate to them
selves all the latest Offices and who has better
right? We go ia for rewarding those who do the
fghting-whnts your sentiments, boyer Don't
you think the craft in this State competent to do
the work OF Uncle Sam well the outsiders?
If Squire Pierce will authorize the convention Of
the 18Th to settle this matter, il will be done up
brown.
1T might be well enough to let the Offices to the
lo,cest bidder that being the manner in which
come Of editorial brethren have been served in
regard to Democratic county patronage. That
which lie sauce for the goose' must in this he
the same for the gander."
The utmost, and yet the least, we can DO, is
t. pray that General Pierce may have a safe
deliverance from his friends!
1.-THE Repablic In the Palaces OF Royalty.
Royalty has not been here leave behind it
any oqupagcs or any palaces and those great
minds whose aspirations are not satisfied with re
publican simplicity, arc thrown upon their faou
ties OF construction. The Secretary Of the Interior
(tbe Incumbent OF office unknown till of recent
days) has graveIy recommended to Congress that
eight Government houses be built for the officers
Of the Cabinet in that city, His estimate Of the
cost 300 900, doubtless bears that proportion to
the expense which s alwayS preserved in expendi-
lures at Washington, and is TO ten ; but
what lie half million, halt dozen millions, to
the tecming treasury Of the Union
"Mr. Stuart but makes n beginning, but that is
all that the most sanguine can demand of him.
When the 'Toolerics' Ito use Mrs. Higginboth-
ANS phrase) are completed TO hold the eight Min.
listers Of the Republic, il will be time to provide for