Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-27
Letter from James Maurice.

yours, &c., JOHN ID. FAY.
Letter from James Maurice. M
MAzPETH, l.. J., Mop 81, 1853.
GENTLEMEN have been honored by your
invitation to attend and address o, mass meet
ing at Metropolitan Hall, on the 23d instant,
called for the purpose of congratulating our
national democratic brethren throughout the
Union, upon the late brilliant victory obtained
in the State of New York, and regret that
other ayocations will deprive me of the pleas
ure of being present Ny warmest sympathies
are with the cause in which you are engaged,
and regard yonr meeting as eminently calcu-
lated to produce permanent beneficial effect.
We have just emerged from one of the most
bitter political conflicts ever known, conducted
under every possible disadvantage to us. Our
position has been misunderstood by some and
grossly misrepresented by others. The whole
power of the federal government and of the
State administration has been arrayed against
us. The nsolence of Office never before was sd
bold and shameless in its "by authority" avow-
ais; and never were the fears Of the timid and
the hopes of the needy SO thoroughly played
upon Without organization, without means,
we had no other support than the justice of our
cause and the intelligence of the people. On
these we relied, and the result is a glorious tri-
umph. Never, in the history Of the party, had
the true democracy Of the country greater oc-
casion for rejoicing than they have now and
i trust it will be so improved that future tri-
nmphs will be comparatively easy. Let us
consider moment our position and the duty
incumbent on us rs democrats; and, although
among the humblest Of those who contributed
to place our party in its present position, and
distrustful of my ability to say any thing worthy
your consideration, beg leave, with your per-
mission, to give my views on this subject.
It is now well ascertained that the nomination
of General Pierce was brought about by means
OF one of the most stupendous intrigues ever
played off in any age or country-the fruits
of which, it is understood, have all been real
lied, except the election OF Mr. breckenridge
as Speaker of the house, war with Mexico,
and the appointment of Gideon j. Pillow as
Commander-in-Ch Chief If General Pierce is
strong enough to have his own way, these events
will come along in due succession. All our
dsposable military force has already been con-
centrated on the Mexican border, or is now in
course of transportation thither, ready to act
with promptitude and efficiency.
When Gen. Pierce was casting around for
the members Of his cabinet, he could discern,
among the three millions of people in this
State, only three gentlemen eligible to posi-
tons in it. This was rather poor commenta-
ry on the perfect knowledge he possessed of all
our public men, according to his New Hamp-
shire organ, but was nevertheless true. These
three gentlemen were Mr.. Dickinson, Mr.. Dix,
and Mr. Marcy; Mr.. Dickinson was the choice,
with few exceptions, of the democratic party.
Mr.. Dix was the choice Of General Pierce, and
Mr.. Marcy was the choice of William Learned
Marcy. Mr.. Dickinsonneyer stood the slightest
chance.
Mr.. Marcy had an interview with General
Pierce, and went south perfectly satisfied that
he would be called upon, but he waited many
long and tedious months for the coveted invi-
tation General Pierce made up his mind to
appoint Mr.. Dix, and his confidential friend,
Mr. Atherton, announced it in Washington.
The announcement startled some it was not
deemed prudent to offend, and General Pierce
reconsidered his determination. He hestated,
wavered, and in an evil hour decided to appoint
Mr. Marcy. In the meantime, Mr.. Marcy had
abandoned all hope, and concluded he would
return to the north without passing through
Washington at all but providently wrote to q
friend there, that if by any chance such an invi
tation should be floating about, it would reach
him if forwarded to Richmond Mr.. Marcy got
it in Richmond, and soon after took his place
in the cabinet Here the trouble commenced
Why General Pierce should have finally fallen
back on Mr.. Marcy was always involved in
some little mystery. John Van Buren, insnu-
ated at the Albany gathering, that it was on
account of Mr.. Marcy's intimate acquaintance
with all the rogues in the State" This may
be so ; for on any question involving the pri-
vate views Of the President, or any other mat
ter relating to rogues, consider John most
excellent authority but | do not assert it.
Whatever the motive, the effect was just this:
So far as the old line democracy we're con-
cerned, the appointment of Mr.. Marcy was the
erection Of an impossible wall, separating the
President from them, but with plenty of loop
holes and other openings for the freesoilers to
crawl through. Mr.. Marcy was an old politi-
elan, many years in business, and he had more
unadiusted political balances outstanding than
any other ten men in the country. He carried all
this rich Inheritance with him into the cabinet,
and although he has squared a good many ac-
counts, with the aid and at the expense of
General Pierce, vet he has a large budget still
in hand, including his friend Shepard as the
successor of Mr.. O'Conor. So far rs General
Pierce was concerned, the appointment of Mr..
Marcy was his own voluntary eclipse. 1t was,
SO to speak, like the sun hiding behind cloud,
and you all know the old adage:
When the sun in the morning goes TO bed soon,
II will rain before night, if not before noon
We have had a hard sprinkle here in New
York already, and the indications now favor a
steady rain which may last three or four days.
do not intend to say anything disrespecttul OF
Mr.. Marcy, but he is marvellously crafty, and
his presence in the cabinet is singularly ina
spicious. owe him neither i'll will nor graft.
tnde--I have never written or spoken to him
in my life, and regard with equal indifference
his favor and his frown.
In my opinion the national democracy have
nothing to hope from the present cabinet, and
very little to fear. Every one Of them has shot
his ball and missed his mark. They are the
mere creatures Of the President, his constitu-
tional advisers, subject to his will, removable
at his pleasure, and tributary to his necessities.
They will not resign, and think it very posi-.
BILE the President is so well satisfied with them