Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-09-21

the facts IN relation 70 the Cabtreh and oth-
or appointments by the President. We agsin
refer to the subject for the double purpose OF
showing the alarming extent Of the power OF
the Free Soil and Disunion factions in the
Country. which has enabled them to command
the controlling positions Of the government,
and to present the contrast which the Demo-
cratic party exhibits nolr as compared with
its pretended dread, before The election, of
the influence Of sbolitionisn, upon Gen. Scott,
II elected, and bis administration ofpublic af-
fairs Low, as must every friend Of bis coun-
try hang bis bead, at the triumph OF faction
over patriotism, 10 the appointments alluded
to, still lower, must it bend in the contem-
plation Of that political blindness, or profiga-
cy. which either stultifes It's own sentiments
or demonstrates its own turpitude. in the sup
port ola President, who has fulfilled the false
prophecies, in relation to his devotion to the
Union. which overwhelmed bis antagonist in
the late election. s''s
II this view Of the conduct Of the admins
tration, and its supporters, needed any cor
roborstion, IL will be found in the following
high toned and independent comments of the
"Ner York Journal Of Commerce, "a
leading Democratic paper in New York city
The Journal says:
"Tbe tree is known by its fruits" It
happened that wo were present at the Balti-
more Convention. and took an active interest
in endeavoring to procure the expression of
decided opinions favorable to the Compromise
The 6rst important movements Of hostile
character to that policy. proceeded from part
Of the Louisiana delegation. On the ques-
ton whether or not resolutions Of that char
acter should pass. the delegation was divided
Mr.. Soule vebemently opposed (such was the
general understanding, and such the iuforma.
ton after particular inquiries, the expression
of any such opinions. In this respect. he
united with the Free Sellers of the North -
Both were anxious that their peculiar position
should be covered BY an expressive silence
on that question. Mr.. Soule may properly
be regarded as the representative there. Of
the disunion interest Of the South The
Cabinet Of General Pierce was doubtless we'll
informed Of the views Of Mr.. Soule on this
subject. One Of it's members was in the
Convention, aud took an active part in its
proceedings Indeed, all the important move
ments of distinguished men in the Conven-
vention. are rapidly conveyed to leading pol
iticians in all quarters Of the country, To the
Southwest, where there was severe contest
in respect TO the Compromise measures, Of
which MISSISSIPPI and Louisiana we're more
particularly the theatre, Col. Davis Of Mis-
sissippi, and Mr.. Soule Of Louisiana. received
controlling appointments, and the Union men
to whom they were opposed, were condemned
to accept those Of an inferior character. Mr..
Downs, the colleague of Mr.. Soale in the
Senate. who made strong Union speeches,
was put on an equality With Mr. Dickinson
OF this State. in the offer Of an appointment
% Collector Of the Customs. It will be re-
collected that Mr.. Soulc visited Gen. Pierce
1t Concord, in advance Of the formation of
the Cabinet, and doubtless then impressed
the President With opinions favorable TO the
position Of those who stand in the same cate
CORY With him. Mr.. John Van Buren, was
also at Concord not so much perhaps to ar
range the policy Of the Administration, as to
secure few appointments. At about that
time it was concluded, as we have learned
from high quarters, that il an appointment to
tie Cabinet we're given to the Free Soil in
forest. the inferior honor ofthe Custom House
would be conferred on the Hunkers; and rice
persa. 1t happened, however, doubtless in
the pursuance of that intention which had de.
cided that the Cabinet should be unit, that
the Custom House only fell to the Hunkers.
The appointment Of Mr.. Dix. but more ca
pecially Of Mr.. Cocbraue and Mr. Eowler, do
cided Free Sellers to important posts, shows
also too distinctly what is the unit that was
promised by the President. On looking back
at the cxigency through which the country
passed, it is evident that during the admin.
istration of Mr.. Fillmore and through tho Of.
forts of Clay. Webster, Cass, Cob5 Foote
Dickinson and Others, the great measure of
the Compromise was passed, and that it
brought healing on its wings. 1t was sub.
stantial victory obtained over factions. North
and South. The latter were defeated and
proved by the solemn judgment of the coun.
try to be grievously in error Indeed, that
error is now seen and acknowledged by ali
but those who, like the Evening Post were
committed extravagantly to the services of
faction. In the condition in which Tho conn.
try then was, there existed clear obl;vat;on
and an equally firm determination tia, Tho
command Of affairs should not be devolved
upon those who had aimed ut mischief and
Reorganization. but upon those who had az.
bibited PATRIOTISM wisdom. courage, and anil.
ity to govern. in an unparalleled dilemma Tn
electing Gen. Pierce to the Presidency. !,
was supposed that prominence and influence
had been given to the National sentiment
which had SO conspicuously triumphed over
sectionalism. The, country did not under.
stand, in electing Gen. Pierce that the union
Of factionists, held together by the spoils
would constitute the Government, and that
those who had been conspicuous in giving a
controlling direction to public affairs at
great juncture, should occupy only subor-
innate part in lite machinery In our iudg
ment, Gen. Pierce has gone counter to the
public intention, and has committed a capital
error, We express this opinion with deep
sorrow. We have no personal disappoint-