The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-28


WISE OF Virginia. now in this city
The Position and Course or the Administra-
I fFtlft tion thus far. III rFGFF
In SPEAK ing Of those features ia the policy Of The sd
minstraon, which, evidenced by the late elections,
have contributed 10 the popular approval aud
confidence have already discussed the admitted broad
and comprehensive nationality OF It's position regard
The sectional CONTROVERSY. and It's acknowledged sssump
lion OF tina, American tone and spirit in foreign
policy which in harmony at with the exigencies Of
the times, the destiny OF the country, and the demands
Of the people s.uF a1s 81 =.
There was. however. third prominent, idea in the
popular mind which exerted great power upon The late
presidential canvass and took conspicuous place among
the anicipatons of public advantage 10 result from the
advent Of the administration to power. The people
demanded q rsdieal slmiai,rssiUe reform.
During the late whg rule the public eye had been turned
to the spectacle OF executive administration Of their gov
entirely opposed. spirit and character 10 The
democratic Legislative policy which they had inscribed
upon the book. The effect OF this opposition up
on the legislation OF the country not saiutay and
upon The practical administration of the government in
It's branch il disastrous In the theory Of
our constitution. the recommendation OF measures TO
Congress is part of The duty Of the chief executive
of the country. is undoubtedly intended one
Of the guards against hasy and ilI-considered egis
lation. But what good could be expected from The
concentrations of an executive acting partisan policy
which Congress in both houses rejected and condemned
The practical result OF this stale of things well known
The bulk OF the executive recommendations OF the last,
four years scarcely considered by the national
legislature. 1t is quite manfes, that the state OF
things, considerable extent necessarily paray sed the
ualy important executive function Of The Man
fesy here serious disturbing in the action
of the government before touch the further and Diff
ferent question of the the whig policy which
presided It's administration. Tha, in such condi
ton OF things the public legislation should have gone
so well il did is signal Tribute to the soundness and
wisdom Of tina, democratic policy BY which the majority
in Congress were controlled.
Bu, these difficulties and embanassments, serious as
they were, might have been, the eye OF the people
were almost lost sight OF in the spectacle Of error and
abuse in executive administration OF the different depart
men,s OF the government which the people called
upon during the past four years 10 behold. and which
even Il better portion OF the whig press did scrsple
bitterly denounce !, is needless 10 instance swiftly
recurring cases OF administrative enormi,y which have
already passed into pro, erbia names Of pecuation
and fraud gigantic scale II enough say what
undoubtedly true, that the people beginning TO
fear ha, sort Of official malversaon reckless
ias, becoming, the exception but the rule
The confidence Of the people ia otcia integrity and
irus,worhiness had certainly in This couniy been
sorely shaken before aud they did h
n the Authoritarian doctrines OF the whs party, in
gard the policy and power OF the only
the opportunity, but the occasion and the temptation for
similar Iooseness in its executive administration.
AS the only means Of escape from be&e grave evils it
is altogether manifest that large msjorty of the
people looked restoration Of the democratic party
the chief executive power They ieit that ln the snet
sirueton OF the constitution maintained by that party,
and the commercial and financial policy advocated by it.
lay all the assurance that parry organization could give
OF prudent upright and economical administration Of
the government The nomination OF Presden, Pierce,
to mos, remarkable extent, deepened and confirmed
this confidence. In this view, his name. and the
wsll-known principles which had guided his whole
political career, were hailed by The people in the
cor 6dent assurance iha, 10 the land was, by
all his snecedens and all his political sentiments,
emineny fitted 10 reiom the public adm nis'ration, 10
check the unwasned depletion OF the public treasury.
and bring back the government, 10 the usages and pnc
Piles Of its earlier and Purer days Everywhere This
point made BY the democracy in the and eveS
where was it either silently admitted fully opposed
BY the wings Thronshou, the country it gave TO the
democratic candidate many vote which before had been
thrown Tor the party 10 which be was opposed.
is indsputable that in The Iudgmen, OF candid men OF
all parties the expectations Of increased vigilance. If
cieocy and safety in the public servce-ina word OF
reform in the public excited among
the people have thus far been fully Justified and "a
deemed. A, no time during the last adm nisr alton
would the news OF Gaphio.m in any part
of the country have ss,onished The people Such
a thing quite within The range OF public
expectation. Blu, at the pesen, moment any such Ii
dngs OF Official malpractice would s,rk. the whoIs
country with as,onishment. The IDEA haa gone
forth broadly over the community that there ia a
new spirit at work in the executive departments
and that. in far human care and efor, can
guard against IL such abuses not benceorih 10 occur
The facts Of detail which this popular conviction is
grounded not yet fully before the public becasse the
saiesmen who responsible the President Tor the
various branches Of the executive do no, zee
1T to administer their respective departments through the
newspapers. Blu, we hazard nothing in sayinx that
when the proper time for The Executive TO lay
before the people the account OF its sewadhp the rec
ord will pvsen, sseh energy, vigilance and persever
ance in the detection asd reform OF abuses and in the