The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-08-17
The journal of Commerce and Gen.

is out against the administration on &C.
count Of its appointments. After re.
viewing the circumstances under which
Gen. Pierce came into power, and his
conduct since, his continual preference of
Free Sellers and Sccesslonists over u
Mon men, as of Soule over Downs, Of
Marcy over Dickinson, Jefferson Davis
over Foote, and of Dix and Fowler and
Cochrane. over men who had stood up
for the Union against both extremes of
fanaticism, it says:
"In the condition in which the coun-
try then was, there existed clear obi
cation, and an equally firm determine
tion, that the command of affairs should
not be devolved upon those who had
aimed at mischief and disorganization.
but upon those who had exhibited patri-
otism, wisdom, courage, and ability to
govern, in an unparalleled dilemma. In
electing Gen. Pierce to the Presidency,
it was supposed that prominence and in
huence had been given to the National
sentiment which had so conspicuously
triumphed over sectionalism. The coun-
try did not understand in electing Gen.
eral Pierce, that the union of factiouists,
held together by the spoils woald con.
sttute the government, and that those
who had been conspicuous in giving a
controlling direction to public affairs at
a great juhctnre, should occupy only
subordinate part in its machinery. In
our judgment, Gen. Pierce has gone
counter to the public intention, and has
committed capital error. We express
the opinion with deep sorrow. We have
no personal disappointments of any de-
scription to avenge. He has been libe-
raj with sentiments favorable to tic Ma.
tional idea, and has bestowed poioer and
command on its antagonists thus hold.
ing out an inducement for trcacbcry and
desertion of the Constitution, holding it
f out to the leaders of those who feeling,
that they had committed n great error.
were ready to return to their allegiance
to the country by asserting to the su-
premacy of the class who throughout the
contest had shown their patriotism and
their ability to govern. The appoint.
, ment of Mr.. Sickles, recently made, in.
tended as an exception to the general
policy, is one Of those mistakes which un.
der sudden conviction of error, is Of
ten committed. The National feeling
Of the country, sickencd at the display
of sentiment in its favor, has arrived al
at the solemn judgment. that the Pres
r dent has come short of the duties which
a great position imposed, and of the high
distinction which its performance would
unqucstionably have conferred In oul
columns to-day may be found an abb,
communication on this subject"
The communication to which the cdi
: torial remarks Of the Journal of Com
. ccrco refer, commences as follows
/; "For the first time in the history o
the democratic party, a President of it
f choice, one who before his election mad
pre- eminent claims MS a devoted adhe
rent of its principles. its practices an,
measures, has become rccreant to thos
4; principles the moment his election wa
}, sure, and abandoning those By whom h
was nominated and elected. has frater
nized with the Southern secessionist
and the Northern fTeesoilers. 1t is tru
Q that Mr.. Van Buren, pursued nearly
] similar course in 1913; but this was al
ter he had ceased to be President, an,
to hope for reelection, And it wa
left for President Pierce to be the frs
to desert his friends, with the very ar
), NOR upon his back in which they ha,
too confidently clothed him The wish
es of the democracy have either beef
wholly disregarded by him, or treatc,
with contumely its old and tried mem
bers have been excluded from all voice il
public affairs, while many Of his appoint
ments to Office bear strong indications O
premeditated insult to the Nationa
:, Democracy"
+ This is followed up with searchin,
+ history OF the chief appointments and o
n the principles upon which they have bee,
made 1t is one of the most conclusive
}. articles that we have read in long time
and will produce an effect upon the pub
lie mind, already aroused to the dissm
ulatlon and treachery of the administra
ton, We regard the movement of tn,
Journal of Commerce as of considerable,
Importance. The position of that paper
Democratic in all its preferences, ant
willing to excuse many shortcomings il
the President, and yet independent, anc
not speaking the sentiments of disap
pointed ofhce-seeking, its denunciatior
will carry weight very different from
that which belongs to the fuckers and
the Burkes and the men whose patriot
ism has been excited by the neglect Of
their claims to place. We look upon the
articles in the Journal of Commerce as
speaking the sentiments of the moder,
ate Democrats in New York of the MGR.
camille classes the men who are more at.
tached to the Union than to any party
organization, who seldom arouse but al.
ways make themselves felt whenever they
do, men who form their opinions deliber.
ately and adhere to them firmly, men OF
actions rather than of words. 1t is ON,
nous for an administration which dis.
gusts and drives off such men in the We.
ry Observation-Disclosures Journal