The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-07-29

For the linton.
General Pisrce's Appointments.
Paradoxca as il may seem, political patronage is a
OF weakness, rather Than OF strength any party
or any administration. Formerly. 10 our country this
not regarded the Mr.. Clay.expressed the
popular idea when he said Give patronage, and
will make friends" But the rapid and gratifying ex-
tension OF The limits and power Of the republics aud the
nnuReabe places OF honor and profit incident TO this
extension have operated TO the order of things
Ii may be attributable however. in great degree, to
the diversity of sentiment now entertained by members
of the political party consequent upon the settle
ment OF those great questions OF finance and govern
mental policy which have divided the people since Gen.
Jackson's accession 10 the presidency.
Whatever may be the cause. the fact Is undsnabe,
and is WE'LL Perhaps that il is The rapid increase
and constant augmentation of executive patronage might
well impress the mind OF the patriot with apprehension
a. to the consequences but most fortunately safe.
guard is found in the exercise OF the power ITSELF which
only precudes all danger from that quarter but acu
ally renders II an element OF weakness. rather than Of
strength TO any dominant political organization.
The fathers Of the republic made no provision for cur
failing executive patronage. Their political agacy and
knowledge Of human nature most likely enabled them TO
foresee the state of things which now exists while
their superior wisdom satisfied them that the principle
Of democracythe fundamental principle OF free govern
ment-would provide remedy, If at any future time
danger should arise 10 institutions from this cause
The policy of the present administration In selecting
the subordinate agents Of government has been the sub
ject OF complaint and comment among portion oil the
public pressjue consideration, however, not being CIV
en- to the condition OF things under which Gen. Pierce
was placed in the presidential chair Coming into pow
er with popular unanmiy unparalleled ia any disputed
presidential contest ewing the enthusiastic and
dial support OF the entire American democracy, nowl,hs
standing it divided Into fragments upon questions Of
sectional character prior to that time may well be
conceived that The duty OF selecting those who
carry on the operations OF government both
delicate and difficult, And yet it has been performed in
| which, however il may conflict with certain
interests cannot but be appreciated by The great body OF
the people Himself noble example OF continued devo
ton the interests Of the whole country as conads-
tDguished from the interests OF sections, franklin
Pierce stands forth the Embodiment of those views
which, though strongly contendcd against, and greatly
endangered for time by the force OF opposing elements
were finally reduced 10 legislative form in the series Of
measures known the Compromise As President
so far from having done anything calculated to
weaken or destroy the force OF this position. he has
strengthened il by the bold and truly national sen
mens contained in his inaugural, and BY the firm
| ness and impsrtisy with which he has endeavored
to discharge his duty 10 the great party which placed
him in power The basis OF his action has been ,ht
unity oil that party az !, existed at the time OF his
nomination and election II in the development OF this
policy gentlemen named for high position obnoxious
to some portions OF the party still there can be jus
grouad OF complaint long all divisions participate
equally possible in the honors conferred An oppo
site &C urse would have been inconsistent with the prnc
Piles OF justice honor, and would have evenuated in
weakening, Perhaps destroying, the democratic party
Does any doub, this II so. be knows blu, little OF
human nature. The state OF things which existed
il ls4s would have existed with increased and agra
waited force IN 1885, and the same want oil unity which
prevented success at the frs,.named period would
sufedy have prevented AT the last II like po
duce like effects, this cannot be denied The complaints
OF the wing press regard to Gen Pierces appointments
though perfectly natural both absurd and
Can any suppose il Gen. Scott occupied the pres
dental chair, that those journals would pro-
test against the appointment 10 office OF any one
OF the sixty six delegates who spit upon the plat
form" which wing ingenuity erected al Baltimore, even
if William H. Seward himself bad received the highest
honors which executive favor could bcs,ow upon him
Was not the conducted BY them with precisely
such contingency prospective and have they forgot.
ten The language OF their own chosen chief Let Va re.
cur to il,
ain regard to the general policy OF the admnisa alton
ii elected should of course look among those who APP
proved that policy for the agents TO carry into execu
| lion and | should seek 10 cultivate harmony among
and frsterDal sentiments throughout, the wing party
without attempting 10 reduce iis members by proscrip-
| ton to exact conformity TO my own views"
So spoke General Scott in his celebrated letter accept
then, can whg editors now come forward and endeavor
cas, upon President Pierce for appointing men
TO Office who, whatever they may have been anterior 10
the last National Democratic Convention have by their
endorsement, OF the principles there enunca,ed and by
the support OF the candidates there nominated been re-
duced "io exact conformity" the position held and al
all times maintained, by himself.
General Scott declared in substance his determination
to appoint fanatics and political agi,aors OF every grade
10 Office while General Pierce, without referring prcma-
urely 10 30 delicate subject has President, sedu-
lousy excluded from favor all who not practically
compromise men, in word and deed.
On which eide is the advantage Surely the political
obtusene,s OF whg editors prevent them from see
ing. And the advantage is Attributable not 10 any in
consistency, but 10 that "odor OF nationality which
pevades the American democracy uniting al all trying
periods it's mbers in brotherhood although
at times small portions, large Masses, OF them
may be drawn OF in pursuit Of objects Of questionable
or sectional character.
Such was the when prohib,ory statute was pro-
posed in regard to slavery in the territory acquired from
Mexico. portion OF the democratic party. looking 10
the precedens Of the government ever since ia esab-
lisbment, favored that prohibition. Another portion OF
the party ever jealous OF the OF the fed
era government, resisted in determined manner any
such prohibition gross assumption OF undeeaa,ed
power. Whatever might have been the course OF the
government heretofore in relation TO the slavery ques.
lion, for the fret time in history The blood OF the
whole country had been poured baton for the
acquisition OF foreign tenory justice then, The South