Burlington Free Press

President Pierce's Administration.

PRESIDENT PIERCE entered upon the duties of his office under high auspices and with the hearty good wishes of the whole people. Great expectations have been excited, and the heart of the nation is unusually susceptible to emotions of gratitude and enthusiasm, if excited by a pure, independent and vigorous administration of the affairs of Government. But we fear we can detect the rising of a dark cloud in the President's path. He commenced to make his appointments to office in disregard of the intrigues of factions, and the corrupt bargainings of politicians. The press and the people loudly praised, while the hungry herd of office-seekers groaned in agony.

They were, however, intimidated by the firmness with which President Pierce announced his policy, and by the favor with which it was received by the country. But now they seem to have recovered from their consternation and fear. They think they have discovered that “Young Hickory” is not so seasoned that he may not be bent and even broken by the use of sufficient force. And if they once succeed in bending him to their will, they know that they can repeat the operation with greater ease. Therefore, we hear rumors from Washington of factions sending in their ultimatum to the President; of their threats to wage war, ceaseless, bitter war upon his Administration unless he surrenders the “spoils” to their division and distribution. We will be greatly, sadly disappointed, if Gen. Pierce yields to the threats of men devoid of honor or patriotism. He has said that “a claim for office is what the people of a Republic should never recognize,” and yet he is pressed to belie his own sound doctrine. There is but one course which he can pursue with honor and safety. He must drive from him all corrupt and speculating politicians who impudently seek to coerce him to acknowledge their “claim for office.” Let him do this and seek out from the masses of his countrymen—to whom all his obligations are due—fit and competent men for office men not notorious heads, or active members of “bird shell” and soft shell factions, and the approbation, the confidence, and the support of the people will enable him to treat with contempt the impotent rage of disappointed spoil-seekers.

There never has been a time in the history of our Republic, when professional politicians had so little hold upon or influence with the people, as they have at present. By their intrigues, their insincerity, their recklessness and their corruptness, they have worn themselves out. They are neither respected nor feared. Degraded and unworthy in the people's eyes their loud patriotism exposed as a cloak for their unprincipled selfishness, it requires but the firm action of President Pierce to annihilate their power for further mischief, and thus inaugurate a new and healthier era in republican politics.

We cannot but feel the deepest anxiety regarding the policy to be sustained by President Pierce in the present crisis. If awed by the howling voices of faction, and discouraged by the surging flood of political corruption, he should retreat from his first position, we can only expect four years more of weak, distracted and retrogressive government. Feeding faction will only strengthen it, and yielding to corrupted politics will surely swell their current, until they flow out over the country with devastating and paralyzing fury.

It is painful to contemplate the possibility of such a result; but it is still more painful to feel that, as the consequences of its happening, the moral power of our Republic will be weakened, its honor tarnished, its expansive energies impeded, its vigorous vitality deadened, and the infection of a loathsome political and social leprosy diffused through every part. May we not—may not the American people, who are patriotic, and love their country with a pure and proud devotion, appeal to President Pierce to rise above the threats and maledictions of faction, and crush in his path the men who clamor for bribes as the price of their friendship;—friendship which smiles for favors, but is ever ready to deceive the giver for greater gain.—N. Y. Sun.