The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-16
What Is Going On At washington.


We are keeping our readers posted about all
that is going on in Washington. Our telegraph
ic correspondents have omitted but little that is
important, and the residents and sojourners in
the capital look forward nightly to the arrival
of the HERALD, printed at distance of 800
miles, in order to learn what has taken place in
their very midst the day before. To-day we
publish an interesting letter from Washington,
which gives considerable insight into the work
ings Of the new administration. and the doubts
and difficulties that beset its career in reference
to its patronage and the oflice-seekers. Clouds
and darkness rest upon it.
The President has undoubtedly very
hard card to play. in the distribution of
the patronage of the government, amounting to
fifty millions of dollars in the year. These
spells must be divided; and where every nine
applicants think they have better right to an
Office than the tenth who has received it, it is
very easy to see how discomfort will be gene
rated among the disappointed, who will spread
it among their friends and acquaintance till.
by degrees, the Chief Magistrate so popular be-
fore and since his election, becomes. unless he
among large number of men who possess suf-
fcient influence, if not to thwart and weaken
his administration, to lay the foundation for the
overthrow Of his power al the end Of his term
Of four years.
This is the natural tendency of our rerubli-
can system of government-preventing the
growth Of dynasty. and diminishing the power
Of the ruler, while his office is respected and
revered. It is we'll perhaps, that it is so, for ii
operates against despotism and the principle Of
Capitalization, proving that the people alone
are sovereign Yet, strange to say, it is those
qualities Of mind most approaching the charac-
teristics of the despot-the strong iron will
the resolute purpose, the moral courage, and
the prompt action. in word. whatever gives
individuality to the man or his government
that renders a President most powerful in
this free country, because the people regard
him a. the representative and embodiment
Of their own sovereignty, and the mani
festation Of strength is what most hatters
their sclfloye. Indecision Of character and
amiahle weakness il what they most despse.
II is not in the power OF the wisest President
to discover all the men who are best fitted for
Office throughout the vast extent Of the United
States. Let him make what appointments he
will, he is is sure to dissatisfy many. Ifhc dos
the best his circumstances allow. looks with q
single eye to the country's good AMI l. guided
by principles OF justice. and by large, compre-
hensive policy, rather than Nv local prejudice
or personal influences he will bc successful ia
the MAIN and though some Of the dctail-
may not correspond with his theory. thc
people will accept the will for the deed
and the opposition Of disappointed place hunt
ers win melt away. like snow before the gen.
ial warmth Of the vernal sun But ira timid and
timc-scrying policy be pursued, and ifpersonal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT be the grand motive OF action.
and its attainment be sought Wv the appoint
ment Of men TO Office without any regard 10 the
wishes Of the majority CT the people, the claims
OF justice, Or high qualifications weakness ana
embarrassment must ensue; and unless hy some
very happy chain circumstance, public atep-
ton should be diverted in another direction
sueh President would retire from power IL
no means popular man.
As yet General Pierce ha- made but few am
pointments. Some Of them. perhaps. are not
exactly what they ought to be- hut every al
lowance will be made If the future appoint-
mcnts only answer the expectations Of the great
mass Of the people. The great difficulty which
the President has to overcome l. ono or hs own
creation-it lies in his cabinet. which il neither
very strong one nor unit. If he can mould
it, rs the potter fashions the clay, all will yet
be right, and he will come off more than con-
queror by firm adherence 10 the platform On