The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-15
The Senate and the Spells.

We hear strange news from Washington We
are told that the opposition which was ushered
into so formidable an existence by the vote for
the printer to the Senate has already split and
shivered on the rock Of the spoils. We are
given to understand that Senator Bright v %
took the lead III organizing a party to defeat
Armstrong aua elect Tucker. las been won
over by glittc lg promises rom the Presi-
dent, and, together with many of his col
leagues, agrees to support the confirmation OF
Collector RedGeld. We are notified that tue
Senate will cast aside all thoughts Of the great
national principles involved in the removal of
Bronson, and is now fully under the potent in
fuence OF the public plunder. We are hidden
to prepare our minds for the news of the con-
firmation Of even the most obnoxious and IN
popular Of the foreign appointments. In short,
We are warned that the most important and the
most honorable branch Of the American gov
ernment has not been able to withstand the
magic influence Of the spells system, and now
bends On gnominious head to the dictates o.
wealthy money-lendcrs and foreign bankers,
Should these prognostcs prove true, we have
before US most melancholy evidence of the over
whclmng power Of corruption among our pub
lie men. That principle and integrity shouli
lie abandoned SO shamclessly, and SO suddenly,
BY such body as the United States Senate,
most assure1ly betokens degree political
immortality for which the most cynical OBJ
server was unprepared. The unexpected vote
for Tucker, and the rejection OF Armstrong,
relieved the independent mind of the country
from the load Of degradation which the pur-
suance Of the spoils policy had heaped upon IL;
men breathed freely as they remembered the
past glcrics Of the Senate. and saw in that-its
latest act-oyidence that its former spirit was
not entirely quenched. Even now, notwith
standing the repeated votes Of the House in
support Of the administration, aud the rumored
abandonment by the Senate OF their dignilied
attitude Of independence, there are not wanting
men-and we are free to confess that we ara
among the uumber-who still refuse to despair
Of the government and the country. We are
convinced, in spite Of all symptoms to the con-
trary. that there is at bottom strong feeling
Of opposition to the Cabinet principles and po-
Icy in q majority Of both houses, and that its
tarded by corrupt influences. We believe that
If the administration could be deprived Of the
power it wields in the shape of the spoils its
supporters would find themselves in wretched
minority in both the House and Senate. Thus
much we viii say in behalf Of our represen-
tatiyes.
The truth viii probably be elected by the
case Of Redfcld. Tha. case involves the most
prominent and most noteworthy of the delin-
quences Of the present Cabinet. No one has
any particular hostility to Mr.. Redfeld as Oh
individual; his merits or dement's need not
enter into the discussion Of his case. 1t Is i'm
portant simply because it embraces a political
principle Of the highest moment-the right Of
the federal government to interfere in the poll
tical affairs Of the several States. If Mr.. Red
ficid be confirmed, it will then become settled
principle Of our government that entire control
over our local Custom Houses and Post Offices
is vested 10 the Cabinet at Washington and
that Collectors are mere Instruments en-
trusted with the mechanical duty Of carrying
out in every particular, even in the appoint
ment of tidewaters, the views and wishes Of the
federal administration We need not here
spend time in pointing out the danger OF rob
bing the States Of an authority which reason
and custom have placed in their hands. Every
one who is familiar with the working Of our
government can discern the excuses aud perils
to which such a system could hardly fail to
lead Again, the confirmation of Redfeid i'm
plies an approval Of the removal of Bronson, Of
the motives which induced that arbitrary pro
ceediug and Of the manner 10 which 1t was
carried out We cannot bring ourselves to be-
leye that even single member of Congress
could be found to stand mp in his place and
dc&nd openly the brutal letters Of Secretary
Guthrie or the grounds Of Bronsons dismissal