Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03

rcnism of the North National Democrats therefore fin
themselves in the position that Wings occupied afte
Gen. Taylor's death. Suddenly Messrs Webster an
Fillmore changed their political front, and the Wings, b.
whom the former had been sustained and by whom
the latter had just been elected Vice President in
sany required unlearn the lessons those very nsruc
tors had teaching. And the penalty for promptly
facing to the right about was removal from office
Gen Taylors policy dsayowed and his commissions
revoked.
As Wings therefore, appreciate the condition
and comprehend the feelings Of the National Democrats
Their experience has been We know all the bitter
ness Of such betrayal of faith all the injustice of such
sacrifice of friends But if the National Democrats have
the example of late Administration to plague they have
also its fate to console them"
To these charges the Buffalo Commercial Adyer-
tiser made the annexed reply, to which we attach
the weight from its appearing at the place of
DIR. FILLMoRE's residence, and it is fair to infer
that its statements are accurate and authentic
FROM THE BUFFALO ADVERTISER.
Similar assertions have repeatedly been made in tile
same journal, and we intend to show them 10 be
wholly gratuitous and without the least foundation in
fact
The article says: "After Gen. Taylor's death Messrs
Webster and Fillmore suddenly changed their political
front" During tie contest which resulted in the cleo
ton Of Messrs Taylor and Fillmore the wAg party Of
the North protested against the extension Of &orsry orer ter
rttory then tss This the universal watchword Of
ES2ry, and intended to apply the territory then
recently acquired from Mexico and Of which the free
State Of California has since been formed and over which
Territorial Governments for New Mexico and Utah have
since been established without either authorizing or pro-
hibtrg slavery within those Territories but leaving
them free if they free when cejed BY Mexico or
subject to slavery If they in that condition the
time Of the cession. These acts all passed after
President Taylors DEATH and approved by Presi-
NJ ia nlal 49,
teory. and therefore the act Of approval indicated no
change of political 'front.' But if it did, there is
evidence that Mr. Fillmore entertained any other
views the subject than those expressed by his Official
act of approval And is known to all that Mr. Web
ster early March 7, $780, in his celebrated speech
in the Senate approved Of the entire series Of copro-
mise measures, whereas President Taylor did die until
the 9th of July following How. then, the said h
the least show Of TRUTH that after Gen Taylors death
Messrs Webster and Fillmore changed their political 'front.'
But may be pretended that this charge was made in
reference the fugitive slave bill II co. the allegation
is equally The fugitive slave law was not ag
tated by the people before the election Of NIessr Taylor
and Fillmore in l84S Opinions this subject formed
part of the Wing creed at that time and Mr. Fillmore
had therefore, occasion to express any opinion
subject and viii venture the assertion that he never die
express any previously to his official Of approval
This is neither the time the occasion TO Justify tina
approval Our present object is to demonstrate the a
sy Of the statement We think we have shown it as 4
Mr. Fillmore and it il only necessary to recur again
Mr. Websers speech Of the 7th Of March to prove tina
bis opinion this subject underwent no change afte
the death of Gen. Taylor.
1t not only charges that Messrs. Webster and Fill
more suddenly changed front after Gen. Tayors death
but that they instantly required he Wigs 10 mearn n
Lessons hose py Instructors had been teaching, and he pen
ally fer promptly facsg 10 The right about remova
from og7ee."
Having proved the premises false which the infer
is based, that removed from Office because
they refused to change 'front.' with Messrs Webster anC
Fillmore, might let this oft-reuted SANDER drop here
But its repetition has been so frequent that the truth
history seems to require that the facts should be more
fully stated To do this inellgbiy it will be necessary
to refer to few dates and to the constitutional provision
governing appointments to Office
Gen. Taylor was nauguratel President Of the Uni
ted States the 9TH Of March 1912 The Senate nc
cordng to custom then holding an Executive session
for the purpose Of acting upon his nominations for Cabi
net Minister'S and to fill such Offices as might then he
vacant This having been accomplished the Senate adj
journed and until their meeting in December tho
President had no power to make any appointments ex.
cept in the language Of the Constitution 10 I'LL ouch "a
oancs might happen during recess Jy granting commits
Tor appoia1eg) tch should ervre al tie end ofe
net session" The consequence Of this was that tn,
President could make appointments but to fill sucl
vacancies might by DEATH resignation BIZ re
moving the incumbent; and, in those cases. the ap
pontments which he might make and the commits sion
which he might give would all expire at the end Of tb
session Of the Senate And that time unless tn
officer should be appointed with the concurrence Of t
Senate, his commission would terminate The appoint
ment therefore during the Of the Senate was on
for limited time, and it entirely the option Of thu
President to nominate the person the Senate wh
had received this provisional commission or to nominate
another and in either case, If the Senate concurred
commission issued and the tenure Of Office com
mcnced from that date.
IL is necessary to premise thus much 10 order to pre-
sent in perspcuous light the condition Of affairs as they
stood at the time Of Gen. Toylor's death
During the Of the Senate in the summer and fal
OF lS49 President Taylor according to usage created
many vacancies by removal which were filed By commits
sons expiring at the end Of the next session Of the Senate
Most but not all Of these persons nominated by him
for reappontment butowng to the delays Of the Senate