The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-04
TgE RETIRING ADMINISTRATIONS.

At IL o'clock to-day the Of the present admnstra
ton closes 1t seldom happens that justice is done to any
administration until the sober tecond thought assigns to
it its proper place ia history. The disappontments o.
official aspiration alone furnish causes Of dissatisfaction
which prevent for the time being unbiased popular
Judgment It not until after Jefferson Madison Jack
SON. and Polk had severaly Terminated their official terms
that their administrative merits duly appreciated and
determined No of these illustrious
champions democracy had greater obstacles to contend
with and no one of them resoute persevering
and triumphant in meeting and overcoming them than
Franklin Pierce. Their names and their memories ore
now enbalmed in the aectionate and grateful hearts
the national democracy whilst their living opponents freely
concede to them that respect which due dsnteresed
patriotism and eminent abilities So It will be with Gen.
eral Pierce except that the Justice which rests matured
popular Judgment promises TO be less dilaory in his
than in that Of some Of his ustrious democratic prede
cessors.
II has been our fortune to bs intimately associated with
President Pierce during his entire term On moot Of
the domestic questions Of policy which have arisen during
his administration he has received cordial and
supports and all the questions Of foreign policy
one have been quite cordial and our
port Where could not approve the dictates Of pru-
dence required be silent that course In re-
gard to Central American affairs some Of the measures
in regard which have been SILENT because they did
not correspond with our judgment and sympathies.
We allude to now by way of explanation of the silence
which we have observed in connection with the compca-
ton Of our government with the affairs in Nicaragua
With this exception regard the foreign policy OF
the administration eminenty WISE patriotic and sue
cessful II may be that the public Judgment will differ
with in the excepted case IL it should, shall not
regret that the entire foreign policy Of the administration
has contributed make mp Of the brightest chapters
in history. But whatever may be the final judgment
this particular feature of the foreign policy of the adj
minstraton IL Is gratifying know and to state that
Secretary Msrcys fame diplomast suffer no dim
mutton He has elevated the American name to that pon,
Of national emnencs and spendor of which every friend
the honor and glory of his country is justly proud.
In the domestic policy Of President Pierce the great dis
tinguishing feature has been his steady determined aud
successful resistance OF seconaism and his Jealous un
wavering and efficient support Of nsonaism He started
out with the conviction that the Union could only be
served in lite purity and integrity by unalterng ad
herence to the spirit OF the constitution He regarded
the constitution building up The Union the qualify Of
the States and he found seconslism wagng an insidous
warfare upon this bssisprincp!c Of the constitution At
every personal risk and with all the energy and enbus-
of his nature he resolved found the principle
Of n. roU Atty or SrArE II was on this great idea
d nationality and justice and equality that he stsked his
administration upon the principles Of the Hausss bill We