Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1853-02-05
From the Richmond Enquirer
General Pierces Cabinet: The Incoming Ad
ministration and the People.

\ elect, can doubt tsays the Boston Post, whose
sentiments we thoroughly endorse that he will
base his cabinet and his administration, on those
national principles which are calculated to main
tain the Constitution in its strictness and the
Union in its integrity, Still, among politicians
there is much speculation and no little curiosity
as to the composition of the cabinet. A feverish
solicitudc prevails as to its personnel; lest il may
not come up to the mark Of their political pref
erences or prejudces; or may not regard suif-
ciently the position Of prominent individual; or
may not conduce to the advancement Of personal
interests of political purposes. These are the
prolific sources Of the various surmises and ap-
4 prchensions that il the columns of the papers I
But while there is this feeling among the po-
lAttclans, there has been indicated no doubt or
concern among the masses who patrotically
elected Gen Pierce. So admirable has been his
personal bearing, and SO discreet has been his po-
ltical course, from the moment Of his acceptance
of the presidential nomination to the present
time, as to increase the public confidence in his
qualifications for his exalted positon--to cause
the people to feel every day moro and more as
sured that they have placed power in competent
hands, where it will be exercised firmly, wisely,
and for the benefit Of the whole country All
his antecedents indicate an open and high mind
ed attachment to republican and national princi-
pies; that he will prove steadfast friend Of tho
Constitution, and see that all its provisions arc
/ faithfully carried out; that MS means to main
tain the Union, he will sacredly regard the rights
Of the separate States; that his domestic policy
will be liberal and discriminating and his foreign
policy hightoned and vigorously just; neither
cringing nor oyerbearing, but yiglant to advance
by every fair means our splendid commercial in
terests and to add to the political power Of the
nation. These are the great features of the
Baltimore platform which SO eifoctually reunited
the. democracy; and everywhere the belief is
strong that Gen. Pierce will be true to these
principles aud take care that the cabinet shall
bear their impress.
But soon The people will have before them for
consideration and judgment, the policy and the
measures of the new President and it is these
that bring with them either defeat or success.
For these he will be justly and eonstitutionally
held responsible. What they will be, the naug-
Iur,l address will probably disclose, for this will
constitute the chart according to which be will
steer the ship Of State Should this announce il
to be the determination Of the executive to adhere
10 those well defined republican and progressive
principles the general welfare demands; should
this document be SO fortunate as to command that
almost universal appreciation which, thus far, has
boen accorded to everything that has come from
Gen. Pierce since the eyes Of the whole country
were fixed on him; should the course, thus
marked out, be approved; and should it be adj
hered to, in future, in the distinctive measures Of
his administration; then the people who elevated
him to hish;gh position will rally to sustain him,
and his administration will be the most popular
which the country has ever known.
Now, as the President will assurcdly be held
responsible for the working character Of his cab
met and the measures Of his administration, s.l
ought certainly to enjoy the privilege of having
such persons to aid him in the discharge of his
duties as has judgment shall select, free from any
dctation or coercion. In doing this,
in making the selection, be has before him the
whole democratic party--not as il was in 1913,
distracted by intestine divisions and in state of
defeat, but al it rose, in 1S52-the great, united
and victorious party of the nation. In making,
from such stand point his selection, the decis-
ion may, and indeed it must, necessarily, disap-
point many Justice, however, requires that the
people should not condemn Judgment formed
from so general view, on criticisms that may be
or sharpened by private or local con
but wait until events shall have proved
his judgment to have been erroneous IL should I
be borne in mind that the purposes, policy and /,
principles that united the democracy Of the q
whole country SO as to enable it to achieve power,
must be regarded in the use Of power Good /
aith requires this, while expediency and wis \
lom demand it, in order to save the democratic 4
,arty from the position of disnnion and defeat b
rom which it has Just been rescued, and to ena- .
lie il to continue to retain power. From this d
,reat party, then, which in its programme Of
principles made no terms with the element that n
hostile to the Constitution and TO the perma- ii
ieuce Of the Con'ederacy, will the cabinet be |,
alled II will no doubt be harmonious cabinet h
"a working cabinet-a cabinet that will be a v
nit-and as such it will, we are confident, la c
or to promote that progressive policy which the D
Ountry needs. Such cabinet with chief mag ii
'trate at bis head who is well advanced in the n
nc Of political knowledge of principles sharply ei
efned who has the frmness TO lay out bis own 6
rack, will announce the measures on which the oI
ew administration will stand or fall.
But after all it is principles and mcasurcs to in
hch the people ought to look moro than to any 81
ling else for it is advocacy these that keeps
oitics on high table land.-Parties do not form X
D old questions but on new measures, such as
ilots Of the ship of State judge Of the country IL
emands to carry them onward and upward. Be
hould then the measures Of the new administra- st
on be sound and American should they bear a be
out them the jefferson and jackson boldncss &c
nd tness for the exigencies Of the times should TO
a word the conduct Of the administration be &C
lch as to deserve the general appreciation, then
e voice Of the nation will be for sustaining It. o'
nd this determination will find expression in an
lite Of all narrow and sectional jcalousies, Of an
factional undermining, of all personal disap- de
however every bold andminis- alb
alton in greater or less degree has had to en-
R..tu lit n InGo-.n..t. IL.