The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-06-25
T He MINES TIA N
Saint pauI, satarhag, suns 20, 1898.
The Trouble Comm ne ncing.

which forms its basis. No political event ever
promised more to those who brought it about,or
glttered more, and appeared more certainly to
be the real yellow stuff, tried in the fire. than
did the entrance of Franklin Pierce into the
Presidential mansion. "The Wing party was
dead and buried -" The policy would be such
that all Americans could endorse it !" 'M hate
yer opposition might spring up against the Adj
mnistration, would be merely factious, and
that of the least moment - in short, ave (the
Democracy were to have general good time
oft" was the unanimous song and echo of the
Democratic press about those days.
And yet, in three short months, ere the
shoes have grown old in which they followed
their idol in triumphant march through the
streets of Washington, we hear complaints in
the ranks of the faithful, loud, long and bitter.
The appointments disposition of the spoils
has caused this outbreak, even before the
public policy of the Administration is fully
shaped. Democratic papers come to our table
teeming with outpourings of Democratic wrath
concerning prominent appointments made by
the President. Some of these we have preserv-
ed and when we have nothing more interest
ing to Offer will give them place. from time to
time, that our home readers may see how their
Democratic brethren in the States are getting
along.
The appointment of Augustc Belmont, the
confidential agent of the Austrian Government
in this country, and an agent also of the ROths-
childs, to one of the most important Charge
ships in Europe, has created, as it should, more
feeling than any other yet made. 1t will be re-
collected that Belmont's money was freely con-
tributed to carry the city and State of New
York for Pierce and it must be really annoy
ing to him and his friends, His Imperial Males
ty, Francis Joseph of Austria, and the Roths-
childs, that portion of the Democracy of the
Great Republic now appear SO unwilling to
allow him spoon and dish at the spoils table.
Such, however, is the fact. The New York
Sun, paper which exercised powerful intlu-
encc among certain grade of voters in ele-
waiting Gen. Pierce to his present position,
speaks in the following denunciatory terms
of this and other appointments -
THE PIERCE ADNINIsTRATION.-No President
of the United States, since the days of General
jackson, entered his high office amid such
hearty congratulations or inspiring more hope
full thoughts, than did Franklin Pierce. The
people had been wearied out with the strivings
Ofindefatgable politicians, and their desire for
new men and new policy was increased by
the want of energy and character in their Gov
crnment. General Pierce was q new man. In
this lay His first advantage. His election would
not be the reward for any brilliant achieve
mcnt, nor the consummatiOn of political bar
gain. All this was thoroughly Republican.
But Gen. Pierce had the further advantage
that while but slightly known to his fellowcit
liens generally, they were quick to attribute to
him the admired qualities Of intelligent firm
ness, individual independence, and hearty de-
votion to the principles and interests of repub-
licanism. They had faith without much know
ledge, and for this very cause they will be less
patient under disappointment. Great will be
the revulsion in their feelings if they find that
their faith was misplaced. or that it far exceed
ed the bounds of actual merit.
Thus far-when we except the Inaugural and
one or two good appointments made at the out
set-Presdcnt Pierce has given no practical
evidence that he is capable of rising above the
beaten track of political managery. and above
the narrow interests of party; or that he is
man fitted to impress upon the popular mind
the stamp of a resolute will and an irresistible
energy We have yet few, if any, indications
-
rise to more than respectable compromise be-
tween Old Fogydom and Young America. 1t is
we know, rather too soon to Judge his Admins
tration but it is not too soon to speak freely
OF the results of the first three months Gifts eX
istence. 1t is legitimate to inquire how much
Of capacity, of activity. and of character has
been displayed Whether it is calculated to
strengthen or weaken pre-conceived opinions
What hopes for the future it may inspire, and
what fears if may justify.
We confess that 1t seems to lis the inquiry
cannot result in very satisfactory conclusions
The three months have, so far as the people have
received information, been spent chiefly in re-
conclling conflicting sectional and factonal in
terests, IN the matter of appointments. Divid-
ing the hOnOrs and the spoils has occupied an
unreasonable time and the manner of their di-
vision has partaken too much of tmd, ped
ding, apprehcnsvc spirit. to impress us very
favorably. The Washington Union has told us
that the appointments plainly indicate the TO-
reign and home policy of the Administration
If they do, it is the plainness of Obscurty As
commentaries upon the Inaugural, they make
1t as clear as mud Were we to attempt to
draw an inference as to the Administration DO
icy, from the character ofthe appointments, we
would express 1t in one word-neutraiiZation
In the distribution of Office the Administra-
ton has shown that it understands the fable of
the Lion and the Unicorn In so far. if ey-
hibits cunning. if it fails to manifest the noble
quality of fearless independence. The Presi-
dent should never have commenced the distribu-
ton on the principle Of playing faction against
faction. He should, even in his appointments
have more distinctly marked that he was the
elect of a patriotic people and not the doubtful
chief of sets Of factious partizans. lie should
nave shown, from the very onset. that he rccog-
nized the great truth. that Republican Govern
ment is not the Government of faction, or even
of party, but of the whole people-that the
Executive OF free nation lowers the standard
of true democratic government, when he bows
low to the spirit of party prescription. and
countenances inquistorial revenge for honest
differences Of opinion and republican indepen
dence of action. He should not give hypocritcs
the advantage over sincere men, nor proscribc
capacity and industry to appcase the intole
rant.
But We have not much quarrel with President
Pierces appointments. 1t is not men but mea
sures which concern us most. One appoint
ment from our oup oil bovo eli oh,