The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-13


well sold out at advance for both the green and
blacks over previous sales.
Revolution and Reform-The Administra-
ton and the Democracy.
Revolution is the order of the day-the para
mount idea of the civilized world. 1t underlies
the continent of Europe like a slumbering vol
cano it oversbadows these United States like a
heavy cloud Our whole political system-fede-
raj, State and corporation governments inclu-
| sive-has fallen under the control of rapacous,
reckless ard shameless spoismen. On every
side and in every shape our public debts are
accommodating, and the taxgatherer follows close
in the wake of the public plunderer for addi-
tiona contributions. This state of things cannot
much longer continue We must have sweep
| ing revolution inaugurated at Washington or
among the body of the people, or the Unsuitable
harpies who have fixed themselves upon the
spols. and who have thus assumed the control Of
all our public affairs, will be competent, within
few years, to reduce this country to something
even worse than the frightful anarchy of Mexico
The picture of the existing state Of affairs in
Washington, as drawn by a correspondent Of
ours the other day, is full Of the elements Of
chaos. "All business is at a dead lock. Every
one, from the Cabinet down to the smallest pub
lie tide waiter in the country, seems to be en-
gagged either in Presidential prospecting for
1860 or in securing for himself a portion Of
the spells. The President stands almost alone
and is perplexed how to carry on the govern
Al trpoe n1
The political status of the country" This is the
picture, and we agree with our correspondent in
the premises, that it exhibits state of corrup
ton and confusion which call imperatively for
The scrubbing brush Of reform, beginning with a
reconstruction Of the Cabinet, and following up
ibis work with a new set of federal subordinates
in every department at Washington, and in
every custom house, post Office, &C., through
out the Union, where discipline, reform and
economy may demand change
In the foreign policy laid down in his last an
nual message, Mr.. Buchanan has evidently
touched the pulse of the American people, as he
has startled the maritime States of Europe But
bold, dashing and comprehensive coup detat in
reference to our domestic affairs would, indeed,
immortalize his administration at home aud
abroad. It would save the country from those
hungry President making and lobby jobbing vul
lures that are eating out the vitals of the 60
vernment. It would substantially accomplish
that great work Of revolution and reform which
the country so much needs, and which the tax
paying people so heartily desire.
The crisis really demands this coup detat, and
the occasion is eminently favorable for striking
the blow. Reduced to an indescribable medley
Of sections and cliques, the democratic party is
now but an incubus upon the Administration,
and thus the President stands perfectly free
for the exercise of the largest discretion of
reform. He may command the best talents and
services of the best men Of all parties in the re
construction of the executive machinery of the
government, and if the wrangling democracy
have abandoned his administration why should
he not abandon them to their fate, and give them
G decisive touch Of the mastery coup Of Louis
Napoleon?
There were many astounding federal defalca-
TONS embellishments, extortions aud spoliations
under Martin Van Buren's loose and illregulated
administration. These can never be forgotten
But the real commencement Of the party corrup-
tons and lobby spoliations Of this day was with
the stupendous Galphin and Gardner swindes,
under the Clayton Cabinet and Fillmore's adj
ministration, and The still more stupendous lobby
jobs which signalizcd poor Pierces dynasty, in
the shape Of railroad land grants patent schemes
and fat contracts The work Of party demoraliza-
tion thus commenced was carried to the very
verge Of a complete democratic shipwreck with
that terrible Presidential experiment the Kan
sasNebraska BILL From this fatal disaster the
democratic party was saved by the saving popu-
laIity Of Mr.. Buchanan. lie owes the party
! nothing; but the party owes him its rescue from
absolute determination. Therefore, if the party
now has become incompetent TO help him or to
hurt him. it is clearly his policy to reorgauize his
administration upon the basis Of new set of
men and new party, identified in action and
sentiment with the policy of the administration
out and out.
In the revolution Of reform we have thus indi-
Gated we have no doubt that the President could
cut down the annual estimates of bis present
Secretaries to the extent of fifteen, and perhaps
even twenty millions year. A reconstruction Of
the Cabinet and a reconstruction Of the Executive
departments including the discharge of about
one-third Of their superfuous and incompetent
clerks, (mere loafers about the Washington bar
rooms and faro banks,) would be a good begin
ming Next the appointment of competent clerks
| (one-third less than the number of clerks of all
sorts now employed) in the departments at Wash.
ington, and in the custom houses and post Offices,
DC, would afford fine margin for retrenchment,
and allow, at the same time good margin for
an increased compensation to the force employ.
ed But some millions Of retrcnchmcnts and re.
forms could be made in the army and navy con
tracts for supplies, transportation, &C., in
GLIDING such tremendous operations as the
Mormon war and the Oregon Indian war con-