Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-01-27
From The Lonisyille Innrnnl.
LocoFoco FORMULATION IN RELATION TO THE
COURSE OF THE PIERCE AnMINISTR ATfnN

COURSE OF THE PIERCE ADMINISTRATION.
L seems that President Pierce, that is 10 be-
doesn't thank those gentlemen who lave kindly
stepped forward and assisted him in his labor Of
making up cabinet. He says he is going To-
take the responsibility Of making cabinet for
himself. That's the cu! direct 10 the cabinets
made for him by many of those who have been
extremely solicitous about the course of the
coming administration. They may put their
cabinets in their pockets, and, when they them
selves get TO be Presidents, they can bring them
forth and secure their appointment.
Now, by the way, if General Pierce is real
~ in earnest and means to take the responsible
~ Of making his own cabinet, we are glad TO hear
it. But that's tremendous responsibility for
him 10 assume in the present condition of Loco
focoism. There are, we suppose on a moderate
computation, at least one thousand Democratic
gentlemen who expect TO be members Of the
Pierce cabinet. Every neighborhood contains
one or more of them. Each one has formed
cabinet with which he would not object to be
associated What will the nine hundred and
ninety-odd expectants who must be disappoint-
cd say 10 Gen. Pierce when they are informed
that he has taken the responsibility of thrusting
them aside2
We do not wonder that much solicitation is
felt in relation TO the Pierce cabinet. The rea-
son for this solicitude lies far deeper than curl
osity. The locorocos are so unlike in their con-
Victions, opinions, and notions of what should
be the policy Of the government, that no one
can now foresee the course which the coming
administration will pursue. No one can tell
whether it will be fierce and defiant, or pacific
and gentle in its tone or whether it will clutch
in its grasp an olive branch or a sword. If the
cabinet were designated, then some Indication of
the future policy of the government would be
afforded. As it is, everybody Is in the dark,
and there no souls that are so wcrried and
perplexed, so completely in doubt as those which
have labored hardest TO secure the election OF
General Pierce. Before the election they pre-
tended to feel very certain as TO Pierces feel
ings and intentions, but now they are as much
in the dark as if they had raven wings bound
over each eye. They can't see any one result
that lies so far in the future as the fourth Of
March next
This painful uncertainty as to the probable
course of coming administration is altogether
unparalleled in the history Of our country
Hitherto enough has been known of the Presi-
dents elect TO satisfy curiosity in relation to the
course of their administrations. Now however
nothing can be safely assumed for there is not Il
Locofoco, however sagaciouS he may be, not en-
ioying the personal confidence Of Gen. Pierce,
who can feel certain as to his opinions on par
ticuar subjects, subjects of prominent interest
TOO, in relation to which the greatest anxiety is
felt. This comes Of eleotng man whose oEin-
ions are not known man Of such profound
obscurity that the leaders of his party cannot
possibly say whether he is on one side or the
other of the most momenous questions noW &C
cupying the attention of the country.
The platform OF the iilitinore convention, ur
which we heard so much during the contest for
the Presidency, is now absolutely for5ottcn.--
Were any absurd disciple of Locorocosm TO as
sert that Pierce would follow any particular
policy because the Bltimore platform approved
or disapproved it, he would be laughel to scorn
by his poiticel brethren. The day Of the Pres
idental election is that on which democratic
platforms give up the ghost and cease TO have
the slightest vitality. Hence none Of the dem
ocrlts can feel sure TO the policy which Pierce
favors. None of them can say whether he is for
preserving the present metes and boundaries Of
the Union, or whether he is in favor Of picking
up our corner stones and removing them thou.
sand miles to the North or TO the South. There
is a glorious uncertainty overhangng the subject
which causes a vast majority Of the Locofucos
TO feel great timidity in the uttcrance Of their
opinions. They, poor souls, are very much af-
ilcted with doubts just now. After the fourth
of March next they expect 10 clear err, and
then they will have some very decided opinions
TO be uttered on every occasion. They arc
too polite 10 speak before the President that is
10 be has spoken, but after he has spoken, their
long locked-up jaws will recover their power oil
articulation and they will speak quite as mucl
as anybody will be willing TO listen 10. There
is here and there an editor of the LocoocO stripe
who is bold enough 10 venture on the express
sion of an opinion, but the majority Of them arc
.rery tongue-ticd at this time. They have los
-,dheir nuency of speech, and are now as mute a,
La. l,oiix
pies after the Presidential Inauguration, though
now ,shey are as owlish as the slaves Of a ha-
rem. |
=, It certainiy must be delightful thing 10 have
a President eject about whose opinions nobody
knows am ling, 1t aillicts your tongue Will
paralysis; and repders you perfectly ignorant OF
all things in the Egsure, If You are asked civ
ii question as to whether The administration Tor
which you have labSred with all your might
will agree with yeu OF not in opinion you arc
dumb as an oyster GSu can only hope tha'
your President viii be man after your own
heart, though you are qUabing with many doubts
as to the trpthrplness Of such a supPosltlon'--
You haze a pig in poke GEd whether 1t will
please piggy TO squeal responsive toyotlr squeal
or whether it will please him to squeal as you
have never yet squealed Is equally problsmatic'
al, and you feel predIgiousy Is ifyoN were or The
time beng an occupant Of Mahomets coffin, and
in astate of the most fdgety suspense
As there never has been so mVchyaEiety, ay'
hostility Of opinion anepg the sgpporters of any
man as there is among the supporters OF Pierce,
it follows inevitably that large ngpber are 10
be painfully disappointed, Of whom many will
curse the man they suOported, and retire frGnl