The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-17

last, OF t0at which - uO0u prOkAeeQ tue GOuu-
try every four years since General Jackson's
second campaign for the Presidency, to wit:
retrenchment and reform.
Gen. Pierce has large field before him for
this work Of looping down the huckstering and
brokerage which have crept into all sorts OF
contracts with the government. In the jobs and
supplies for the War and Navy Departments;
in our treaties with the various Indian tribes;
in variety of financial expenditures in the new
territories; in the large appropriations which
have been made to California and which here
after will necessarily be extended also to Oregon;
in the Post Office transportation; in the multi
farious business of the Department of the Int
rior; in the vast and complex machinery Of the
Treasury and Sub-Treasury departments; in
the confidential transactions of the Department
Of State, to say nothing Of the loose: and bung-
ling legislation of Congress, there is splendid
schedule of matters and things, involving the
disbursement and the loss or saving of hun
dreds of thousands, and even millions, Of dol
lars calling for the practical enforcement of the
sound and wholesome doctrines of retrenchment
and reform.
What contributed to bring into public con-
tempt the administration Of Martin Van Buren,,
as much OF more than ythng else, always ex-
cepting the grand financial revulsion of 1867,
'38 and '39 1t was the reckless extravaganza of
the Florida war, and the shocking list Of official
defalcatons. for which he was justly accounted
responsible. What was it that made the other
wise comparatively fair and honest administra-
ton of John Tyler a thing of public derision,
and John Jones, his organ grinder at Washing
ton, as amusing as " Monsieur Tonson come
again?' 1t was the open and persevering at
tempt of the said John Tyler to build up
party upon the basis Of the government patron
age What was it that hurried Gen. Taylor to
his grave, and that hurled his cabinet with such
telling emphasis from power! 1t was Galphin-
ism, Chickasaw Florida and Mexican claims.
And what is it that the generally prudent, and
always amiable, Mr.. Fillmore has bequeathed
as a special lesson to his successor? 1t is
warning to beware of loose, and free and
easy disbursement of the public moneys, public
jobs, and public contracts, through the personal
or party favorites of government officials, at the
public expense.
Now, we verify believe that General Pierce
is an honest man-honest, not only as the
world goes, but conscientiously honest in his
endorsement of the Baltimore platform. We
venture to say that he regards it not merely as
bit of clap-trap. which had served its purposes
for Buncombe in securing his election, but as
binding him, in truth and in deed, to carry out,
<bo srla ibnro1 oid
including even those old fashioned notions Of
retrenchment and reform. Let him stick to it.
Let him carry out these : old fogy'' ideas. Let
him take care of the public money, and cut
down the pickings and stealings to SO small
margin that the legitimate pursuits Of private
business will be almost as attractive as govern
ment jobs. and contracts to Office holders. or
their friends or their agents, and the largest
leak of official cupidity delinquincies, and de-
falcations, will be stopped up. at least for Q
80
And let the administration remember this
: that the people expect it to do some
thng-to do, in fact, . great many good
things. They expect a positive, and not mega
tive. administration. Therefore, until we shall
have the engrossing duties Of general war
thrown upon our shoulders, or the interesting
work of annexation and acquisition in full
operation let General Pierce do his best to
meet the public expectation in the whole
some business of retrenchment and reform.
When tree becomes sickly we must put in the
pruning knife and carve away the rotten
branches. Nothing like it.
WHAT WILL QUEEN ISABEL SAY TO Mr..
SoULE THE selfconstituted organ of the
Spanish government in this city, thinks
that if the said government has any re-
spect for itself, Mr.. Soule. the newly
appointed minister to that court, will be
rejected without much ceremony. Well, we
shall soon have the verifcation or Justification
of this prophecy. Mr.. Soule goes over to Spain
as the representative Of the government of the
United States and the present administration.
He will carry with him to Spain the instruc-
tions of the President ; and that these instruc-
tions will be in perfect accordance with the in
augural address, and the policy therein laid
down in regard to our international obligations
and duties, there cannot be shadow of doubt
Nor is there an incident or an accident, in the
whole course Of the political career Of Mr.
Soule in conflict with the views upon our
foreign relations SO clearly and satisfactorily
expressed by Gen. Pierce.
That Mr.. Soule is an advocate of that broad
policy which comprehends the early acquisition
of Cuba, through such means as shall be entire
ly consistent with our national good faith and
integrity, and fair established character for
dealing, no man will pretend to deny. Nor is
it hardly necessary to deay that he will go to
Madrid as the flaming fre-brand of the Creole
refugees of the Cuban Junta and the mysterious
order Of the Lone Star. 1t is simply preposte-
rous to suppose that the Cabinet at Washington