The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-18
THE NEW AGITATION.

THE NEW AGITATION
The agitation which the uneasy spirits at the North
endeavorng create not directed against the Prs
dent the administration but against the Supreme Judi
cial Court and the constitution. When the election
in November last the sudden quiet which pervaded
the public mind the subject of slavery attracted univer
sal attention The people, of all parties acquesced grace
fully in result which, although it had not been desired
by part of them yet promised they knew, safe and
prosperous management of the for the next
four years There general confidence in Mr. Buchanans
ability and experience and patriotism, among those
who doubted the wisdom of his political principles and
hence they could not deplore calamity his elevation
to the presidential Office Apart from this consideration
too there many who voted for Col Fremont who did
reluctantly and with vague apprehension that disor-
der and mischief might follow his success and to this class
of persons his defeat hardly felt unwecome
carrence but rather relief from unpleasant fears. Be-
yond therefore, the ordinary acquescence of country
in the result of presidential election think that
the of Mr. Buchanans received for the
most part throughout the Union, without serious
plant This confidence of the people continued with him.
moreover from his election to bis Inauguration and the
4h of March the disposition of the country give his adj
minstraton fair and honest trial beyond dispute
He took his oath of Office amidst the good wishes of thou
sands upon thousands of spectators and his Inaugural Adj
dress received with marked satisfaction in all sections
of the republic lis tone and spirit admitted to be
admirable an its important topics discussed with
a frankness clearness, and simplicity which won
universal approval After reading it" said con-
temporary, one feels as if he had been with a
father, who had placed his hand gently the head
Of his son. and spoken words of Kindness
and protection" The Inaugural followed by an
nouncement of the cabinet and who could complain
of the distinguished whom the President had called
around him Residents of different sections of the coun-
try they thus qualified represent various interests
and various views of public policy and yet they
recognised eminenty free from those of opn-
ion which might prevent their cordial in the
practical duties of government The first cabinet of Wash
ngton had members from Massachusetts and two from
Virginia. with Secretary of the Treasury from New York.
The cabinet has been but slightly increased in numbers
since that time but every member represents not
State only but cluster of States. General Cass flor
ample stands for the Northwest whose early settlements
within his memory and whose wondrous growth in
population and wealth and power he has personally wit
messed while Mr. Toucey represents New England and
Judge Black the middle States, leaving the South and
Southwest most adequately represented alike in its Allan
Thompson, and Floyd and Brown. The great requisites
of cabinet such high character, just opinions expert
ence in affairs and general unity of sentiment are happily
combined in the cabinet of President Buchanan, all of
whose members have filled important stations in public
life and five of whom have held the gubernatorial cice
1t strange therefore, that the cabinet like the In
augura should have met with general favor through the
country.
Tho al, ;str 40 Runb
surrounded in the beginning with the clear and
marked manifestations Of the public confidence in its future
career and its progress believe and its success will
justify the expectations of its friends camor has been
attempted to be raised with reference late decision
of the Supreme Court but this matter outside of the
administration and which, of course the President
respect the authority of the highest judicial tribunal known
system of government and in this duty he will
be wanting; but when wild and reckless agitaors make
upon that authority they shoud remember that they
do not thus attack party or a President admins
traon but OF the most branches of their gov
eminent The spectacle presented by such attack is of
extraordinary character In The ordinary of
affairs case arises between lidgatng parties which re-
quires the adjudication of the Supreme Court The court
refuse to perform the duties for which was estab
decision is made known This decision happens to be in
conflict with vorite theories of northern politicians
and hence these politicians make loud cutlery against it.
denounce its authors in the seectes phrases of bad
vituperaton Usually, when a high authority denies
prevalent theory the theory is regarded with suspicion in
such denial but northern agators
this rule and regarding their own judgments inalble
treat with contempt all who differ from them no matter
how lofty their position how respectable their learning
or how great their ability, how pure their character 1t
is deeply to be regretted that the the public
mind are SO extensively occupied by aud journals who
thus obstinate in extreme opinions and thus hppaut
in denuncatory language When political sentiment
found in conflict with the constitution good citizen will
feel bound to surrender 1T and when sentiment
conradicted by the Bible, every right-minded will
cling to the Bible and etgo the sentiment But the
Of self styled reformers who make war upon society
governed by motives very different from these Instead