Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-09-12
HASN'T Taken an Attitude Yet.

short time ago the New York Courier contained
the following paragraph taking the Union to task for
its lame efforts to defend the Administration:
awhile the organ takes good to avoid all definite
issue upon any Of positive statemens-whie 1t does
not attempt dsprove that the cabinet officers were
lected with special reference the diversity Of their prn
cipes that the appointments to Office throughout the
country generally made from men who had been op
posed the Baltimore platform; that great ndecon aud
diatoriness have been exhibited in filling important sta
tons abroad particularly in France, China and London
that doctrines free trade and aggressive despoi-
ing policy put forth by members OF the cabinet on
the northern trip Of the President which afterwards
attempted explain away meaning nothing that The
attitude of the administration towards the Pacific railroad
has changed from favor to hostility; while does not even
venture effort to put up face upon these or any
other OF the notorious facts mentioned docs make
slight brief show Of attempt to meet US in our
negative that mot single policy has been
marked out a single negotiation OF Importance has
been brought end, even, far as we know ma
terisy forwarded II points to the inaugural and dc
cares that the spirit and effect OF that State paper were
ne aud felt and to be so both in this
country and in Europe"
The Union undertakes to reply to the above allega
tons seridtim Its argument is rchash Of the de-
fence it and other Democratic journals have set W
for the Administration from the first with the excep
ton of a new phase somewhat, on the Pacific Rail
road question. On that specification, we give the
whole of the Unions remarks, as follows:
'The Couriers last specification is that he attitude
the towards the Pacific railroad hos changed
from favor hostility This statement is really
gross attempt to impose upon the public 1t untrue
In ererV Icord Ii wholly untrue that the admnistra
ton has evci stood in attitude of favor towards the Pa
cfc railroad government measure. 1t rs wholly
true that the ADMINISTRATION stands in attitude OF
hostility to the Pacific railroad 1t is wholly that
the administration has ever changed its attitude that
question: because il is untrue that the administration has
taken attcde upon IT, II the Courier suppoes
that the administrator ion will hereafter take siud,
he ID W
attitude will he, then be- then advise that journal o
study carefully the Presidents poticalrecord what
principles he holds in regard to such question: and then
20 consider for itself what would be thd wsest praccs
application OF those principles in view OF the existing
dition of the country. When the Courier has done this
II will be in condition year two hence 20 note any
change may discover in the Presidents policy the
subject"
We commend the whole of the above pa agraph 10
the attention of Virginia Democrats, who are repre-
sented unanimously opposed to the Aiministra>
ton showing any favor to the construction of the Pa
cifc Railroad. We should like to hear one Of then
undertake to define from that paragraph what the
Administrations position is on the Pacific Railroad
question The object of the organ is clearly TO show
that the Administration las never yet come out foI
or against it. The Administration has never taIen
an attitude upon it, says the Union. Why, we
thought that question was all settled at least in tho
stir in the camp not long ago when it was rumored
that the Administration had taken an attitude in IA
vor of the Pacific Railroad and alarm and con,terna
ton pervaded the ranks Of the Strict Construct.oniss
But of late it has been hcralicd forth to aav III,
fears Of the faithful" that all is we-that the Ad
ministraton has taLeH an attitude; but that II Is not
one OF favor to the Pacific Railroad. Yet Just about
tie time they think themselves 'out of the woods
the organ comes out and denies that the Alminslra-
ton has taken any attitude upon it and while i: is
advocating the measure refers the Presidents pria
eiples" for consideration, what would be the
wsest practical application of those principles in view
Of the existing condition Of the country" Now f. ON
the course the Union has pursued in advocating tic
measure, it, and Benton and Dou lass and all the
strong Internal Improvement Democrats Of the West
would, with one voice. say, the wisest practical app
plication "would be for the General Government to
make the Pacific Railroad soon as possible without
regard to expenses, the Resolutions Of 9s either
We fear our Virginia Democrats have been too tut
The President hasn't taken his attitude yet ; and
there is telling what attitude he will take until
is known which side the fence lac falls on