The Daily National Whig

AN EXAMPLE.

'It is with no little pleasure, that we lay before the public this morning, the following admirably conceived and eminently patriotic letter of Dr. DILLER LUTHER of Reading, Pennsylvania, to the President of the United States, upon a subject of more extended importance, at the present moment, than any other that agitates the public mind. Dr. LUTHER regards public office as a public trust, to be bestowed for the promotion of the best interests of the country, and not as a personal gift of the appointing power, to be disposed of, either for the gratification of the party appointing or the party appointed. This is the view taken by Gen. TAYLOR himself of this important question, and Dr. LUTHER has furnished an example by the readiness with which he recognises the truth of this doctrine in practice which is worthy of being followed by all men similarly circumstanced. He has shown himself to be a Whig, in deed as well as in word, of Whigs profess and teach, that public office is a sacred public trust, to be disposed of under the most solemn sense of responsibility to the constituency. We commend Dr. Luther's example to all our Whig, Democratic, and Native friends, who may have been disappointed in not being called into the public service.'

Reading, Pa., May 24, 1849

ZACHARY TAYLOR,
President of the United States.

Dear Sir: Without any solicitation on my part, my name was presented to you by partial friends for the appointment of Collector of Philadelphia. The choice has fallen upon another. This, let me assure you, occasions me no regret. On the contrary, I feel highly gratified, that individuals, so well qualified for a faithful and correct discharge of the duties of the several stations, and so worthy of the public confidence, have been selected.

I claim to have been one of your earliest friends. It is my intention to continue in that relationship toward you, and to the extent of my abilities, defend and support your administration of the Government.

Disappointed applicants for office, are not generally in a state of mind to appreciate the difficulties which embarrass the choice of the Executive. It is much to be regretted, that they so frequently suffer themselves to be betrayed into acts and complaints, which reflect great injustice upon him whose unpleasant duty it is to exercise this power, as well as serious injury upon a cause to which they are friendly. I trust I shall have little or no difficulty in avoiding a similar error. My feelings do not prompt me to it. If they did, a sense of what is due to myself, as well as to the party of which I am an ardent friend would, I trust, be sufficient to save me from a course so injurious and so much to be deplored.

I am, my dear sir, your obedient servant and friend,

D. LUTHER.