Washington sentinel., 1854-01-12
coLLEcToR REDFIELD.

4
fiicting surmises as to the probability of the
confirmation by the Senate of the Collector of
the Port OF New York, who succeeded Judge
Bronson. As to the correctness, or the incor-
rectness of those surmises, we have nothing to
say; but expressions have been made, in connex-
ION with them, in many instances, which are not,
in our Judgment, warranted by the facts of the
case, and do not manifest due and proper re-
spect for the rights and dignity Of the Senate,
as coordinate branch Of the appointing
power.
Most unseemly threats of party punishment
have been made in the event of Mr.. Red6eld's
rejection, and illadvised and untimely recon-
rnendations that he be rejected by the Senate,
have been put forth by some of Judge Bron-
sons friends, under exasperated feelings arising
from unjust treatment. We have rebuked the
threats made on the one hand, aud censured
the recommendations put forth on the other
When the national democrats whose cause we
have sustained, and intend to sustain to the
bitter end, at their great meeting held at Me-
tropoitan Hall on the 23d of November adopt
ed a resolution calling upon the Senate to re
ject Mr.. Redfeld's nomination, we stated our
conviction that such a resolution should have
been admitted; and we added the remark that
"re look cih confidence to the Senate, under
the full belief that 1t ,ciH act pisely and ,ceU
cM regard to the duty imposed on It By the
issues gro,ciag out q the Nep York controversy"
The President is vested with the power Of
nominating, and the Senate with the power of
confirming or rejecting certain officers, so that
the President and the Senate are coordinate
branches of the appointing power. 1t is, there
fore as fagrantly wrong to denounce the Senate
in advance, if it should not confirm particu-
lar nomination, as it would be to denounce the
President in advance, if he should not make
particular nomination. On the other hand, it
IS as improper to require the Senate to reject
a particular nomination, as it would be to re-
qure the President to make q particular nomi.
nation. Both branches of the appointing power
should look to the antecedents, in order to de-
termine the merits of any applicant for official
station, and itisthe right of every citizen to make
truthful representations, either to the Executive
or to Senators, to prevent the bestowal of Office
on incompetent dishonest, unfaithful, and un-
worthy men.
Entertaining these views we have steadily
and strenuously opposed the policy, as it is
called, which was adopted in New York, and
we have censured, in strong terms, the course
nf f,ph. oh ln6 IL, &c T.
Bronson. We believed, and still believe, that
the treatment which that distinguished gentle
man met with, was great wrong to him, and
grievous wrong, through him, to the national
democracy. If those wrongs could be righted,
and the errors which occasioned them could be
retrieved, by Mr.. Rcd6eld's rejection, then we
would do all we could rightfully and properly
do, to prevent his confirmation. But whilst we
will not shrink from warning the administration
when we believe that it is pursuing wrong
course, or even from rebuking it when we be-
lieve that it deserves rebuke, we deprecate the
idea of useless and unnecessary issues in the
democratic ranks, no matter whether the ques-
tions involved be q great principle or a mere
matter OF pohcy.
We have no authority to speak for any sena-
tor, but we believe and hope that every demo-
cratic senator, no matter what may be his opin-
ions touching the New York controversy, will
lookto the fitness of each and every nomina-
ton sent in by the President and shape his
conduct without regard to irrelevant issues
refusing to be driven into wrong position by
insolent threats, or seduced into error by i'm
proper pursuasions-looking with scorn upon
the ridiculous antics which time serving dema-
gogues may act who for selfish purposes would
make every question that arises an issue with
the administration, and its decision blow at
the administration, or an administration tri.
umph.