The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-03
MIR. PrERCE's ADMINISTRATION.

MR. PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION
In noticing the terms of disapproval used by
this journal concerning the appointment OF
John Y. Mason as Envoy Extraordinary to
France, the National Era says OF the Evening
Post.
ave fear that its confidence in the wisdom
of the Administration is beginning to be sha-
ken"
1t is noAeasy to see the occasion for this re-
mark Our confidence in the wisdom OF the
Administration is as strong now as 1T has been
for many months back Since it proclaimed
its purpose of applying rule which would ex'
clude from public employments some Of the
ablest men and best Democrats IN the country,
we have not had much confidence In the Wis
dom with which it would confer the public
Offices in its gift Any apprehensiOns we might
have entertained were unfortunately justified
by some worse appointments than even that OF
Mr. Mason of the character of which we spoke
very freely at the time they were made. Still,
we are cheerfnlly disposed to give the Admin
istration the praise of having bestowed many of
the public Offices on worthy and able men.
N. T. Evening Post.
We beg pardon of the Post for misunder-
standing its position, and change our remark
30 that it shall read awe apprehend that its
confidence in the wisdom of the Administration
has been shaken for many months back"
| Nothing pleases us more than the independence
and plainness of speech with which the Post
comments upon the policy of the Administra-
ton. But that paper proceeds to point out
what it likes, as well as what it dlsikes. Thus
far" it says, "a disposition has been shown to
manage the finances Of the country with fru-
gality." "Some steps have been taken to
abolish the practice of giving jobs to partisans.'
The Administration is taking measures, by
applications to experienced and intelligent per-
sons to ascertain in what degree the indirect
taxes now levied may hereduccd, OF dispensed
with, to the relief of the country at large"
When a journal of so much tact and ability as
the Post car make no larger showing for an
Administration than this, unprejudiced and dis
interested persons will not be apt to be carried
away with admiration. A disposition to be
frugal, "some steps" towards favoring jobs by
contract, preparations to modify the tariff 80 as
to relieve the country Such is list of the
domestic accomplishments of an Administra-
ton, which, if we are to believe the "organ," is
dazzling and confounding friends and enemies
by it's brilliant attributes. AS to its position
abroad, the Post says, "Olr foreign relations
thus far have been, we believe, wisely and pru-
IDENTIFY managed" The country ID apprsed
of but one demonstration in regard to our for
eign relationship ietter of Mr.. Marcy on tho
Koszta affair. That was respectable, and the
Administration should receive full credit for it.
But in what other instance has it acted at all
What important negotiation has it conducted,
or is it now managing? 1t has get TO be tired.
When it has acted and the facts have been laid
before the country we shall know whether it
has acted wisely and prudently"
The truth is thus far the Administration has
confined itself chiefly to mere party politics
to efforts, through the distribution of Executive
patronage, to harmonic the different factions
Of the Party which elevated it to power-in
other words, to attempts, by a system of re-
wards and punishments, to bride or awe into
silence and submission the elements of dscord
in the Democratic Party. In this work, it has de-
graded itself by intermeddling with local quar-
res in the different States, by debating to hon
est and honorable subordinates the manner in
which they should bestow their petty patronage,
and by suffering itself to be drawn into news
paper controversies with its own employees, in
which it has come off second best Whatever
the Post may hope thus far the Admnistra.
ton has not sgnalized either its ability or mag
nanimity.
The Administration of a great nation
should Justify itself by its deeds Its appoint
ments and its removals should be SO clearly
right as to relieve it from the necessity of ap.
pearng before the public as its own advocate.
When it goes into the newspapers to wrangle
with its subordnatcs, or offer apologies for
their dismiosal, or when its members descend
into the arena of newspaper warfare to vindi-
cate themselves against political assaults from
the stump or the press, there is a departure
from that dignifed reserve and decorum that
should always characterize the ruling power
THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAvERY SOCIETY," will
celebrate its twentieth anniversary in SAMSON
street Hall, Philadelphia, on the 3D. 4th, and
5th, of December next.