Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-17

" iIhont Stopping TO remark upon the unkinu and
impuiston which is here cast upon those
who have been appointed to office or To reconcile
'brs blowing no, and cold with the same mouth
we VIII merely observe, that il is impossible for an
man to make any appointment, that the ingenuity OF
opposing psrtrsans may not impute to bad mo,ive-,
OF mud some pfetences TO condemn. IT the Presi-
dent confines appointments TO his friends, the
cry Of prescription is loudly resounded. If he ap-
points from these who have opposed him, he is
charged with corruption. So, il Secretary of
State, in fulflment OF the law which EN- powers him,
10 select the printers of the laws, permits that pat
ronaSe TO remain with those who revile him and de-
sire TO destroy his reputation, he is either laughed
at as tinid inbecile, or he IL said wish 10 win
over his a1veTsaries by rewards. iu, if he boldly
resumes tina. patronage from those who basely ma
iign him, end conhdes IL TO those who treat him
more friendly and fairly. see that ne is accused
of psrtiary, of cruel Injustice, and of a wish TO
" pupish independence" Seeing then that the APP
poin,meo, of neither friend nor opponent can es-
cape condemnation, TO what are we TO attribute
such cen-ure-! Or from whom can an appoints
meni be made? We allure all such indiscrmina,e,
such cap'ious OBJECTIONABLE such predetermine ed
implacable hostility -and thank that man in the
name OF our country, whoever he may be, that has
the magnanimi;y and hrmnes,, in making his selec-
tons for ofce,to appoint those who are distinguish
cd for their vtes, their capacity, and their fidelity
TO the country, regardless OF political names or par
y distinctions
But how injudicious il i, in the Opposition thus
to commit themselves? How inconsistent is il
thus to attempt TO censuIe President Adams for dis
regarding party distinctions in making some of his
appointments from those who ed him; when
!; is known, that, next TO the victory at ~. C,eans
the strongest motive avowej by many of them for
supporting Gen. Jackson, is his letter 10 President
Mvnroe, where among other things, he advises him
to pursue the very course, of making his ap-
poin,men,s indscriminately from all parties among
men of approved fidelity TO the couu;ry Thus il is
we see, how heated zeal takes the lead from dis
cretion and betrsys into inconsistency those, who
have united with Opposition that hay proclaimed
from tue beginning, even before the adoption of a
single measure, g that the Administration should
be put down if its measure, wre as pure as those oil
Angels"
That there msy be among the Opposition those
conhdins less IN the merit of the qualifications thar
in their violence and animated exertions in behalf o
party 10 recommend them 10 office who do no
like either the liberal advice of Gen. Jackson OF
| the libefal practice of Mr. Adams, W pretend nei
Their TO assert to.deny-but fthi- conduc, In Mr.
Adams can be imputed TO him as fault, presumint
that Gen Jackson gave his advice in good faith
what right have the Opposition to expect from hin
ditierent or better course?
! Another objection urged agaus, President AID
| ans is, that he has neither recomme ended nor nae
his Influence with Congress to alter the Constitu
iion so as To prevent the election OF President from
| coming before the II. OF Z.
| How far il becomes President of the u 6 a
all times, TO recommend alterations in the Constitu
ton OF the Federal Government, is grave s. srea
question that we have neither time nor space her
TO look into. WE would barely remark. tina. in
coniederated government, the alteration of the con
| sutution Is very serious matter al any time an
one very dangerous 20 be meddled with in Tim &c q
high political excitement-and the question here al
lnded TO, as it touches the balance of power anon
he az or.I - Al
where The States act upon perfect equality an
relates TO the election of incumbent fer that of
/ nee which the President now holds, and TO wbicI
he Is consiituiionsliy eligible, it arnears TO u
that such proposition had as well come from an,
other quarter as from the President himself. and
this was question by no means new or unknown
II aPpertaned as much to the duties of member n
Congress to introduce it, as 10 those of tho Pc;
dent 10 recommend il. But the rrnnosi,io, ,..
brought before Congress and failed-and as m an,
OF the friends OF President Adams with Others All
not agree TO the provisions that wer. 10 accompan,
this change, he is cen-urei for not attempting Il
control these members of Congress in an indepen-
dent legislative act and he is accused of erelc,ior
OF duty and OF being false 10 his pledge, in not in.
termeddng with the proceedings of the House anc
enforcing the measure whilst it was before them
Here again we see another enirapping dilemma stu
diousiy prepared for the President II he had nre
sented this matter to Congress in a messaee which
ne would have been exposed to The impuiation by
those of his adversaries opposed to tie measure Il
using oihcla influence to regulate the election of
President TO suit mis- own views. As he did NOT
present the matter to Congress. he is accused OF
deserving his duty, and of violating promise. set
up for him by the widest construction OF his oDDo
nents, which he never made.
Again, because he did not interrns Il lie With The
matter when 1t was before the Representatives,
which he ce-'einly had RICH. 10 do and influence
hts irienis to support he measure and its provisions
whether he or they thought them proper or not he
is condemned 10 bear all the blame of its MISCARRIAGE
On the Other hand, if the President had informed
died with a proposition pending before the Iouse
be would deservediy have rendered himself obnox
ious TO the hue and cry OF using Official irfuence
over the councils of independent branch of The
Legislature. With such opponents, if he acts. he
does yrong-if he forbears 20 act, he n5sndons do.
y--t he controls the votes OF his friends suDoos,
ing that he could possibly do so, he Is guilty with
some, OF unconstitutional interference &c with other
branches OF The soVenment-if he does not aite,not
10 control them' heis sadilel, By Others, with the
blame OF the miscarriage of the measure.
The true ground OF difficulty in relation n
changing this part Of the Constitution, is. ho,v 20
dispose OF and regulate the election of President.
when II tails TO be consummaied nv the electoral
colleges-and upon this ground il il destined N
iail perps'saly. The views and the a,igges,ioos
are so various, and the feelings Of State sovereieni,
are so strong, that there Is little hope of coinci
dence OIL opinion IN any chsnge-aad this is The
cause why the proposition failed when IL was beCors
Congress. and not from any want ofinrerCerence or
aid on the part Of the President.
There can be no doubt that there are rn.ov r,oo
IN This country, who would desire this cbs,gs r,
the Constitution, If they could substitute s,,isC.
tory provision blu, it is equally well knoyyr. .i,,
particular set OF politicians have fixed their hearts