The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-01
General Pierce and HIS Cabans<-Ths 0xroo-
tations Of the Country.

a
and ruinous in its operations, both to the demo
cratic party ard the country. Silence on the
part of Independent men and presses ender such
circumstances, would be criminal. Justice to
General Pierce, as well as to the best interests
of the country, demands that this matter shouh
be brought 30 close examination, and that the
weak and tmid counsels of unledged politi-
clans should be exposed, before it is too late to
remedy the evils which would inevitably follow
the Abortion of their illadvised policy. Strange
as it may appear to those WHO have notwatchcd
the Developments at Washington since the COM
nencement of the present session of Congress-
there is a Joint effort, sustained by the energy
ability, and strategy ofshe two extreme wings of
the democracy, to organize for General Pierce
cabinet composed Of the most extreme men Of the
party, who are to be held as hostages" for the
good conduct of their respective friends and adj
hcrents. The impertart posts in the cabinet being
thus filed, and the power of the administration
thus placed in the hands of the extremes, the
remaining positions are to be Supplied from the
ranks of the national democracy, care being
taken to select such as have not, by their bold ard
prominent defence of the national principles of
the party, rendered themselves obnoxious to
the chiefs and head men Under whom they
are to serve. The advocates of this policy
reason somewhat after this fashion National
democrats will stand by and support the admin
stration from principle; General Pierce, the head
Of the party, is their proper representative
at Washington, and being bound to his sup
port by their national and democratic prin-
ciples, no other guarantee is required to en-
sure their loyalty and allegiance. Not So
however, with the free sellers and secessonists
Having no principles on the great question of the
day, in common with the President elect and
only brought to his support by an urgent ne
cessity, whichcould not be successfully resisted,
there must be some means resorted to which
will ensure their future support of the party
and the administration. Otherwise they will
be found, in the future as in the past, arrayed
against the party--weakening its strength and
defeating its nominations. The remedy for this
anticipated evil is found in the novel and quix-
otto doctrine Of party hostages" who are to
be taken into the cabinet, and there kept as
guarantees for the good behaviour of their sup
porters.
a fair presentation, such az we have given
it, to excite the pity Of all honest men. 1t
receives its Importance from no intrinsic me-
| rt. but from the fact that it is urged with
all the power and influence Of talented but self
ish and reckless politicians. Let us see how
the problem will work out, it, unfortunately for
/ the country. such counsels should be needed by
the national statesman who has just been
elevated to the Presidency. Let MS organize
| the cabinet upon this basis, taking Mr.. Atwood
Of New Hampshire. as hostage" for the free
sellers. and the President of the Nashville Con-
vention. Mr.. Mcdonald, as hostage" for the
secessionists. Do the advocates of this singular
policy object to our selections? If so what are
your objections? Upon what principle would
you exclude these gentlemen, and select others
who occupy the same political position? Both
have opposed the national policy of the party
which gave to General Pierce his oyerwhelm-
ing majority and doubtless both are still op-
posed to those conservative and national prin-
ciples which were embodied in the compromise
measures and in similar future crisis will be
ready to throw their power and influence in the
scale of opposition to national democratic
measures. All this is true of Atwood and
Mcdonald; but it is equally true Of their
more fortunate allies of the two sections Of the
Union who are so strongly urged for cabinet
appointments. They voted for General Pierce,
and proposed to abide by the Baltimore plat
form. after robbing it Of all its merit and vitality
by forced and untenable constructions. This is
the only evidence which the hostage policy
requires Of the fitness Of man for cabinet
place: and this evidence is as strongly presented
in the case Of Atwood and Mcdonald as in the
case Of the other applicants Of similar views and
principles. Under the hostage view of the
subject, there would seem to be peculiar fit
ness in the selections we have made. Mr.. At
wood being q martyr inundated by the hands of
Gen. Pierce himself has higher claim upon his
generosity than any other man, and his eleva-
ton would draw to the support OF the admins
tration stronger and more reliable free soil in
fuence than those who cannot trace their defeat
and overthrow SO directly to the agency of the
President elect. And looking to the other sec
ton of the Union what :. hostage" would hold
in more perfect subsection the fiery elements OF
disunion than the man who grayey presided
over their deliberations at Nashville; and under
whose wise and patriotic lead ii was solemnly
resolved, BY that memorable aasembage, that
the people Of the South ought not to unite in
any national convention for the nomination of
candidates for tie Presidency and Vice Presi-
denoy? II, upon the line Of policy We are dis
cussing, stronger considerations can be present
ed in favor of any Of the associates Of these gen
tlemen We have yet TO hear the argument
IF the cabinet should be thus organized, with
men, professedly Of The national school, how
long would it last? The power strength and