The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-10


columns are crowded to-day prevents Us from re-
ftTriDg particularly TO much that is very Interesting
See the teleamphic column for the proceedings in
the case Of Bishop Doane, account OF row among
the hard and 30. shells At Rochester, items from
the fisheries, &c.
the last Presidential Eiceticn and six Menths
alter the Inauguration.
That man performs an ungrateful duty who
points out errors IN the general administration
of the United States. 1.-THE lines have fallen
into pleasant places, and we have a goodly
heritage" According to our political theories,
and, we believe, by fair construction of the
organic law Of the government wisdom, patriot
ism and irmness are alone necessary to secure
its successful and satisfactory administration.
That trials and difficulties must attend the
President in the distribution of the public pa
tronage, and in adjusting the elaborate ma
chinery of orr internal and external affairs, is
admitted by all. We have no sympathies to
expend on those who complain Of personal ne
elects. or those who have been disappointed in
not finding in General Pierce an exhaustless
fountain OF official patronage. with which to re-
ward expectants, and to satisfy the craving de-
mands Of partizan laborers. The people of the
United States have elevated no man to power;
they have made public servants: and as far as
it were possible in the order Of our institutions
Invested them OF every selfish propensity. and
made them only their trustees, charged for
season with the exercise Of the highest duties
ever deyolved upon man. The government
is composed Of individuals. and it is idle to
expect that its action will rise higher in the
moral scale than the standard of integrity
to be found in tie heads Of those entrus tel with
authority. Thus are the people identified with
the public administration, and responsible for
its failure or success. Party and party creeds
serve the purpose only Of expressing the popi-
lar viii, and making known the demands Of the
majority with reference to well known princi-
pies and measures. Gen. Pierce, we feel conf
dent. will accord with us in this. Let ne reeur
to some OF the political events which preceded
his eleetion-to the circumstances attending his
presentation as a candidate and to his acts as
the chief Of the republic.
In the year 1849, commencing with the inau-
guration of Gen. Taylor, the constitution Of the
United States was, for the first time in the his
tory of the two great parties placed in issue.
The provision Of that compact for the surrender
of " gitives from labor was declared to be
null and void; and higher law was invoked,
which, it was intended should wholly super
sede and abrogate that important provision Of
the constitution. The needful preparation had
been made for the trial of such an issue. The
question Of slavery had long been discussed in
Congress That body, years before foot Of
territory had been acquired, and before the first
diplomatic note had passed between ths gov
eminent and that Of Mexico concerning the
terms of settling our difficulties with the latter
power, had deliberately discussed The question
whether any territory thereafter acquired
should be free or not. Resolutions had been
offered expressly prohibiting the acquisition Of
territory, except on the condition that slavery
therein at any future day should be expressly
prohibited.
In all this, Of course, the action Of the lower
branch of Congress, which was made the arena
Of agitation, was neither binding upon It's sue
cessor nor upon the Executive and Senate.
which had the sole constitutional right to de-
termine whether we would enlarge our limits
or not. That was not material, however: the
object Was attained by Mr.. Seward and Mr.
Van Buren,. when they had succeeded in raising
o strictly sectional Issue the frat, under an
impression that the balance Of political power
was in the free States and that the easiest
way to secure II was TO embitter the public
mind here With enmiiies aud animosities against
our brethren in the South The latter had be-
fore him the congenial task Of pulling down
Mr.. Folks administration, and providing a re-
liable means Ct Debating Gen. Csss 10 1913
Mr.. Van Bnren was partially successful. Mr.
Seward lived to witness The signal overthrow
Of all bis scbemes in 1852. They worked to-
gether but with widely different purposes
Neither cared Coz negroes any more than for
Potagonions,
Gen. Taylor came into power On both slavery
and anti-slavery elements He was relied
upon by both Interests in Congress, to far
ther their own peculiar plans; aud Il was
hoped by the Seward faction, thai by
frank ayowal Of the fact 10 their South
ern associates that policy alone dictated
the Northern abolition movcmcnt headed ~
Seward, Greeley, aud Fred Douglass the South
with General Taylor and his friendg would
yield It's claim To tho fugitive from service
end give mp its pretensions oil avery extcn.
sion into the recently acquired territory. Hcge
Mt Seward found the end Of his management.
the South, ifnot General Taylor. wa3 lne2ora-
bic, AM this la ihe Northern aboit'onists to |
force upon the county :. oDce the great issue |
whether tie prcN.AiVl q tAe consultation 1, |