Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-06-26
NIX. CLAWS SpkELH.
ut Tie Pubic Disinef at FOicler'S Garden,
MAY l6, IS29-(coNcLUDEpA

MIR. CLAl'S SPkECH,
st The Pubic Dinner at Fo,cier's Garden,
May l6, I829-(CoNCLUDEDJ
am aware that the la.c facts of adInin:stra ton
on which il has been my disaeteeabie duty TO
animadvcrt q hope whou, giving pain to any OF
my feiIow-citizens, as L most sincerely wish 10
give money were sustained upon some yague notion
or purpose of reform. And il was renarkabls
that, among the loudest rumpe,ers of reform,
were some who had lately received appointments
30 lucrative Offices. Now, itsmust be admitted
that, as 10 them, a most substantial and valuable
reform had taken place; but trust that something.
more extensively beneficial 10 the people at large
was intended by uat sweet sounding word.
know that, at the commencement, and ,hrou ghout
nearly the whole progress, oil the late aduinisra-
ton, reform III The constitution was talked Of
so IS 10 exclude from public Office members oil
Ccngtess, during the periods for which they were
elected, and limited term beyond them. This
proposition appeared TO be received with much
2avar, vas discussed in the II. of Representatives
session alter session at great length, and ith n-
usual eioquence and ability. Il majority Of that
body seemed disposed TO accede TO IT, and thought
for some time, that there was high probability OF
its passage, at least through that house. It's great
champion (Cien. Smyth OF Yirginia) pressed IL
with resoute perseverance. But, unfortunately
at the last session, after the decision o The pres-
dental question, it was manifest tha, The kindness
with which it had been originally received had
greatly abated. It's determined patron found il
der When, at length, he prevailed, by his
frequent and earnest appeals TO ge, it taken up
new views appe AIRED to have suddenly struck the
reformsts. II was no longer an amendment, in
their eyes, SO Indispensable to the purity CT our
constitution, and the majority which appeared 10
be so resolved 10 carry it, nov, by direct or in
direct vote, gave il the go-by. That majority. I
believe, was composed in part OF members who,
after the fourth OF March last, gaveIle best prac-
teal recaptation of tlIcir opinions by accentinp
from the new President lucrative appointments, In
direct opposition TO the principle Of their own :
mendment.-And now Gen. Smyth would find il
even more impracicahle 10 make, amongst them
prosolytes 10 his conservative alteration in the
constitution than he did to gain any 10 lis Exno.
si,ion of the Apocalypse.
Reform, such IS alone couii interest whole
people, can only take place in the constitution, or
Lawson policy ofthe government. Now and then
under every administration, and at all times,
fahless or incompetent officer may be discover.
ed, who ought TO be displaced. And that in all
the departments OF Government. Bot | presume
that the correction of such occasional abuses could
hardly BIO expected 10 fulfil the promise of reform
which had been so so,emnly made. would then
ask what was the reform, intended? What par,
Of the constitution to be aiicred? What law
repealed; what branch OF The settled policy of the
country was to be changed! TIE people have
right to know what great blessing was intended,
by their rulers for them, and TO demand some tam
gble,practicable good, in lieu of general, vague
and underlined assurance Of reform.
know that the recent removals from Office are
attempted TO be justified by precedent drawn
from Mr.. Jefierson's administration. But there
was not the most distant analogy between tie tyTo
cases. Several years prior to his election, the
public officers o! the country had been almost ey-
Ciusively bestowed upon the party to which. that
at the head Of which he STOOL was opposed
When he commenced his administration he found
acompete monopoly of them in the hands of the
adverse party. lie dismissed few incunbents
for the purpose OF Introducing, in their places
others Of his own party, and thus doing equal jus-
tice to both sects. But the number Of removals
was short OF those which are row in progress
When President Jackson entered On his admin
istration he found far different state of things
There had been no previous monopoly. Public
Offices were alike filled by his friends and oppo-
nents in the late election. II the fact could be as
ceriained, believe il would be found that there
ment, attached than opposed 10 his election.
Further. In the case Of Mr.. Jefferson's eiec-
lion il was the consequence Of the people having
determined on a radical change Of systefn There
was general belief among the majority, WHO
brought about that event, that their opponents had
violated the constitution i'll the enactment of the
alien and sedtion laws; that they had committed
other great abuses; and that some Of them con.
tempiated On entire change in the character OF
our government, so as 10 give il a nionarchicaI
cast. state the historical fact without intent;pp
to revive the discussion, Of deemiug il necessary
tosexamine whether such a design existed or moi
But those who, at that day, believe it, could hard
ly be expected 10 acquiesce in tile possession by
their opponents, the minority Of the nation, of oil
the Offices of government, to which some of
them were believed to be HUSTLE in principle
The object Of Mr.. Jefferson was 10 break down a
pre-existing monopoly in the hands of one party,
and to establish an equilibrium between the two
great parties. The object Of President Jackson
appearsto be TO destroy an existing equilibrium
between the two parties TO the late contest, and 10
establish monopoly. The object Of President
Jefferson was the Republic and not himself
That of President jackson is himself and not the
State.
IL never was advanced Under Dir. JeGersons
administration, that devotion and attachment 70
him were an indispensable qualification without
which no one could hold or be appointed 70 Office.
The contrast between The inaugural speech Of that
great man, and that OF his present successor was
remarkable in every respect. Mr.. JefersoDs
bTeathed spirit Of peace II bresthe5 spirit Of
calm philosophy & dignGed moderation ii treat
ed the nation as one family. eve are all repub-
licans, oil fedoralists." IT contained no denunca-
lions; no reflections, upon e conduct Of his great
rival and Immediate predecessor--Wh 10 Che
Character OF the Inaugural speech Of the present
Chiei Magistrate shall not attempt to sketch Mf
Jefferson uPCo The solemn occasion Of lis iiisalla
Uoo mo once, lad down Ills rule for appointment