Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1829-06-17

win best advance ine Interest ofhis couG
try. The presumption Is that this IS al
w2vs done, unless the contrary appears
But, ifthe consequence of such a perform
ance Of patriotic duty IS 60 be punishment
Stan honest and sincere preference of a
TO J, Is 70 be treated as a crime, then om
dearest privileges is m0ckery and eur In
stitutions are snares.
During the reign Of BonaParte, upon
one of those occasions m which he affect
ed TO take the sense Of the French people
rs TO his being made Consul for life, or
EmDeror. an order was sent TO the French
armies To collect their suhrages. They
were told, in a public proclamation, that
they were authorized and requested to vote
freely. according tc the dictates Of their
best judgement, and their honest convic-
rions. But a mandate was privately CIR
culatcd among them, importing that II any
soldier voted against BOnaparte, be should
be Instantly shot.
Is there Gnv other difference, excepting
IN the mode of punishment, between that
case and the arbitrary removal OF men
tron their public stations for no other rea-
son than that Of an honest and conscienh-
Gus preference Of one Presidential candl-
date TO anolher} And can It be doubted,
that the spirit which prompts these remov-
ais, is restrained from being extended to
all. in private life, who manifested SINH
lar preference. only by barriers which II
dare MOI vet break downl But should PGb.
he opinion sanction them, how long wil
these barriers remaInt
One Of the worst consequences OF the
introduction Of this tenure Of public Offices
viii be, should it be permanently adopted,
90 substitute for q system 0fresp possibility,
founded upon the ability and Integrity with
which public officers discharge their duties
20 the community, a system Of universal
reciprocity. Incumbents, feeling the IN
stability of Their situations, and knowing
their liability tu periodical removals, at
short terms, without any regard TO the
manner IN which they have executed their
trusts, viii be disposed TO make the most
Of their uncertain offices, whilst they hold
them. And hence we may expect hume
t-abie cases Of fraud, peculatiOn, and cor
rCpuon
President Jackson commenced his OIL
cial career on the 4th of March last, with
every motive, which should operate on the
human heart, to urge him TO forget the
preiudices and passions which had been
exhibited In the previous contest, and to
practice digni6ed moderation and torbear-
ance. He had been the choice of q con-
siderable majority Of the people, and was
elected by large majority Ofthe Electoral
vote. He had been elected mainly from
the an powerful influence of gratitude for
his brilliant military services, M spite Of
doubts aud fears entertained by many who
contributed 10 his elevation He was far
advanced in years; and, If fame speak true,
was suffering under the Joint inhrmiues of
ace and disease. He had recently been
visited BY one of the seyerest Affections Of
Providence, in the Drivauon OF the partner
of his bosom, whom he Is represented Co.
ilaye tenderly loved, aud who warmly re
tursed an his affection. He had no child
ON whom To- cast his hOnours, Under
such circumstances, was ever man more
imDeriousIy called upon, TO stiHe all the
vindictiys passions of his nature, TO queil
every rebellious feeling of bis heart and
o. dedicate the short residue of hIs life toI
the God who had so long blessed g. spared
him, 81 tothe country which had so greatly
h0nored him}
7 sincerely hope that he viii yet do tins
I hope so. tor the sake of human nature
ana fer the sake Of his own reputation
" iainer be has, during the two months of.
hi- administration, so conducted himself
let taot5 lel and history pronounce. Truth
is mighty and viii prevail.
4 was objected TO Mr. Adams that, By
aDlorrng several members of Congress !
70 public places, be endangered the purity
81 tse body, aud established a precedent
frrrcli with the most mischevious COnse- /
qus css. Aud President Jackson no, be /
benz has pardon. 10 was candidate Jack .
son was Sd much alarmed, by these
appointments, for the integrity and Perma- /
negcy ofour Institutions, that 10 a solemn
communication which be deliberately made
20 tlc Legislature of Tennessee, he declar-
ed Pal, fIn conviction TO be, that no men,
Der OF Congress ought TO be appointed to
aly office except a seat upon the bench.
Al5 added chat be himself would con-
form ro the rule.
Our@g he four years Of AR. Adams
administration, the whole number of APP
poiatnenys made by him, from Congress,
dli not exceed four or five. In the first.
4. .-L-. = - --.rr.n.-n- 49,