Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-12-17
MARrIssBURe, VA. THURSDAY, DHcEMBER II, 1899.

failure in the first attempt may be provided
for, by combining the second 70 a choice be-
tween the two highest candidates. In con-
nexion with such an amendment, Il would
seem advisable to limit the service of the
Chief Magistrate TO single term, OF either
four or six years. II, however, il should moi
be adopted. il is worthy of consideration
whether provision disquslifying for office
the Representatives in Congress on whom
such an election may have deyolved, would
not be proper
While members Of Congress can be con-
shtutionaliy appointed to offices Of trust and
prom, u VIII be the practice, even under the
most conscientious adherence to duty. 10 Sc
lcct them for such stations as they are beiey-
Ell to be better qualified to ill than other cit;
gems; but the purity of our Government would
doubtless be promoted by their exclusion from
all appointments in the GIFT of the prcsid,n, II
whose election they may have been otiicisIly
concerned The nature Of tho judicial Office:
ana the necessity OF securing in the Cabinet
aud an diplomatic stations Of the highest rank.
the best talents and political experience.
Should, perhaps, except these from the exclu
sion
There are perhaps few men who can for
ANY great length oftime enjoy Office and now
er, without being more or less under the in
iluenec OF feelings unfavoral,lc 10 a faithful
discharge Of their public duties Their intc
gritty uay be proof against improper conside-
rations Immediately addresscd'to themselves.
Dat they are apt to acquire a habit Of looking
witf' indifference upon the public interests,
and Of tolerating conduct from which an I'M
rrac used man would revolt Office Is consid
cred as a species Of property, aud Govern
uent, rather as means of promoting midi
spfe
Tor the service OF the People Corruption in
some, and. in others, perversion ofcorrect
feelings and principles, divert government
from ITS legitimate ends, and make ii an en-
gine for the support OF the few at the en-
pease OF the many. The duties of all pubic
officers are, or. at least, admit Of being made,
SO PLAIN and simple, that men of intelligence
may readily qualify themselves for their per-
formance; and 1 cannot but believe that more
Is lost by the long continuance OF men in Of
nee, than Is generally to be gained by their
experience. ! submit therefore 10 your con-
alteration, whether the efficiency OF the Co
vernmcnt would not be promoted. and ofli-
cial industry and integrity better secured, by
general extension OF the law which limits
appointments 70 four years.
In a country where officers are created
solely for the benefit Of the People, no one
man has any more intrinsic right to official
station than another. Offices were not estab-
hshed to give support to particular men, at
the public expense. No individual wrong Is
therefore done by removal, since neither an |
pont1nent to, nor continuance in, office. Is
matter OF right. The incumbent became an
officer with view to pubic benefits: and
when these require his removal, they are not
to be SACRIFICED to private interests Its the
People, and they alone, who have a right to
complain, when bad officer is substituted
Tor good one. He who is removed has the
same means OF obtaining living, that are
enjoyed lay the millions who never held Office.
The proposed limitation would destroy the
idea oil property, now SO generally connected
with official station; and although individual
distress may be sometimes produced, il would,
by promoting that rotation which constitutes
leading principle in the republican, crocd,
give healthful action to the system.
NO very considerable change has occurred,
during the recess OF Congress, in the condi-
ton OF either our Agriculture, Commerce, or
Manufactures. The operation Of the Tariff
has not proved so injurious to the two former,
nor SO beneficial 10 the latter, as was antici-
pated. linportatons Of foreign goods have
not been sensibly diminished, while domestic
competition, under an illusiYe excitement.
has increased the production much beyond
The demand for home consumption. The
consequences have been low prices, Temporal
ry embarrassment, and partial loss. That
such OF our manufacturing establishments Us
are based upon capital, and are prudcntIy
managed, viii survive the shock, aud be ul-
tmately profitable, there is no good reason to
doubt
To regulate its conduct, SO as to promote
equally the prosperity Of these three cardinal
interests, IS one OF the most difficult tasks of
government: and it may be regretted that the
complicated restrictions which now embar-
rass the intercourse of nations, could not by
common consent be abolished, and commerce
allowed to flow in those channels to which
individual enterprise always its surest guide
might direct it. But we must ever expect
selfish Legislation in other nations, and are
therefore compelled TO adapt our own to their
regulations, IN the manner best calculated to
avoid serious injury, and to harmonic the
conincfins interests OF our agriculture, our
commerce, and our manufactures Under
these impressions; l invite your attention to
the existing Tariff, believing that some Of its
provisions require modification
he general rule to be applied in gradua-
uhg the duties upon articles of foreign growth
or manufacture, is that which viii place our
own IN far competition with those of other
countries; and the inducements to advance
even step beyond this point, are controll-
ing IN regard to those articles which are OF
primary necessity in time of war When We
reflect upon the difficulty and delicacy OF this
operation, II Is important ti,atit should neser
be attempted but with the utmost caution