The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-06-01
From tho Y. Evening Post.
Mr.. Buchanauss First Quarter.

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More than year ago we predicted, with
a confidence which has proved to have been
well grounded, that Mr.. Buchanar's ad-
ministration would be sgnalized by de-
gree of extravaganza and corruption with
out parallel in the history Of this country.
This conviction was based upon the fact
that his favorite political associates and de-
pendents had always belonged to the pred
atory class of politicians; upon the fact
that nothing but unlimited expenditures of
money suffice to secure the requisite sup
port from Northern members to enable him
to carry out the pro-slavery policy to which
he was pledged at the Cincinnati Conven-
tion; and Upon this farther fact that he
was never known to refuse measure which
was calculated to pct money in the pock-
cts of his own political partizans. Our
predictions are to be verified much sooner
than we anticipated. Let US look at some
of the evidence which has already trans
pircd.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has just
issued proposals for four millions more of
the notes authorized by the act of Decem-
ber last. Eleven millions have already
been issued. The expenses Of the govern
mcnt, for the six months ending with July
will exceed its revenue over twenty mill
ions of dollars. Already expenses and La
bilities have been incurred on account Of
the Utah war, amounting to over twenty
millions of dollars, and the President is
asking an appropriation Of about four and
a half millions for volunteers. Should this
money be granted, and tho three regiments
sent forward, he bills of their contracting
will have no calculable limit. If the Flor
ida war, with a few tribes Of Indians, cost
$50,000,00o, what may wo not expect
from prolonged contest with a communi-
ty Of Caucasian fanatics, entrenched a.
mong the mountains two thousand miles
distantl
Then, on smaller scale, what is going
on nearer home, and under tho very eyes
| of the President? A member of his Cab
ire' is convicted of participating in the
sale of government property to political
favorites, for less than half its real value
| under circumstances which the largest
charity will try in vain to excuse. The
Galrhin frauds, scandalous as they appear
ed in their day, were no bigger than a
mans hand, compared with the clouds oi
corruption which bave since rolled up from
transactions of this kind at Fort Smelling
at Wllet's Point, at New Bedford, at the
mouth of the Kenncbcc River and at Sar
Francisco. Indeed, it would seem as il
the Secretary Of War had employed the
first hours of his official life in making 6
schedule Of all the government property
that he had the power TO sell, and in dis
posing of it rs fast as possible TO persona
and political friends.
Tho parties who hare purchased tlii
property arc scattered MI over the country
they are all favoritics Of tho Administra
ton, and hold political positions Of great
or or less prominence in the several States
Congress has spent much Of The currcn
session in investigating these purchases
and though the inquiries ara conducted b.
the committees appointed by friend o
the Administration, and consisting of {
majority of tho Presidents partisans, il
ev ry instance the committees have repc rt
ed greater culpabil,y than was charged
and arc yet far from having fathomed it
full extent and enormity.
1t is not surprising that such an exampl
Fl ON the Cabinet should have its humble
imitators. Yesterday Mr.. Hackney, th
doorkcepcr of the House of Representa-
tivcs was ignominiously dismissed by an al
most unanimous vote, for selling his pa,
,ouage; precisely tho offence with whicl
the Secretary Of War stands charged 10y
committee Of Congress, and undefended
Such are some of the results Of the firs
quarter of NJ. Buchanan's administration
in the Cabinet and in Congress. We hav
not alluded to the corrupt means used t.
impose tyrannical government upon tn
people of Kansas, or to the trcachcrou
devices that are now being resorted to I
compass the annexation of Mexico to th
United States, and the expansion Of slav
territory and slave representation on th1
continent. Those n alters have been quit
recently and frequently brought to the al
tention of readers. Taking all the achieve
mcnts of this Administration together, W
ask il events have not already verified on
prediction, that its prominent features wi
be its extravaganza aud its colruptioni
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