The Daily National Whig

The Administration and its Party:

A Word in Season.—We notice with regret the apathy prevailing in the ranks of Gen. Taylor's political friends, as indicated in recent elections. Rhode Island has been barely saved. Connecticut has been virtually lost, although we feel confident the reverse is but temporary. In Virginia all the ground gained two years ago seems from present appearances to have been lost to us. And in our own State it is much to be feared that if an election were to be held to-morrow, a reverse might be experienced by the great party which so signally triumphed in the election of Governor Johnston and President Taylor. We regret this alarming apathy the more because we looked forward to a series of victories, all tending to establish the policy of the country on a basis the best adapted to secure a progressive national prosperity. That the locofoco party is the better disciplined of the two parties, is a fact which under existing circumstances can scarcely be denied. The readiness with which they rally after defeat, the vigor with which they renew the contest are worthy of both admiration and imitation by the Whigs.

But we are afraid that these circumstances indicate clearly that the political millennium hoped for by many sanguine patriots during the contest which elevated Gen. Taylor to the Presidency, is still far distant. Distant, not because Gen. Taylor has shown no disposition to forget party quarrels and soften down party acrimony, but more because his leniency seems rather to have encouraged his enemies to renewed exertion, while it has disheartened his friends. Gen. Taylor's character, distinguished services and moderate policy, have alike failed to conciliate the opposition. Their presses vilify him, their orators denounce him, and their ranks resound with exultations over every petty defeat sustained by his political supporters. Recent indications show the possibility of an anti-administration majority in the next Congress.

Does any one expect a conciliatory course will be adopted should such be the case? The loud boastings of their presses show that if they have the majority their object will not be to save the country, but to embarrass the administration of Gen. Taylor. They are still smarting under the sting of a National defeat—the condemnation of the American people. The bitter acrimony with which they regard the Whig party is proved by the alacrity with which they use every power they can exercise over Whigs in office. Do they ever spare an opponent? No, not even the poor clerk of a borough market: Nor do they regard his having a large dependent family, or his having performed his duties faithfully. They howl over "proscription." It is the howl of wolves receiving chastisement with fangs reeking with the blood of their victims.

It behooves our friends, then, as our opponents are up and doing, to throw aside the apathy of which we have been complaining. Our work is but half done. The administration we have put in power must be sustained. That the administration is and will be Whig, and thoroughly Whig, we have ample assurance. The obligation therefore equally rests upon the party to sustain the administration, as upon the administration to sustain its friends. Any other course of conduct must be destruction to both. That this will be done we are convinced. The apathy of our party is but temporary, and Whig principles are destined to continued ascendency.—Carlisle, Pa., Herald.