Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-06-16

And can 1t be doubted, thu s44ofk Nha6h p4Csnlt9j
these removals is restramed ass hsiay exls,ded TO-
iali, in private life, who sSimil prefer
lepcc, only by barress whichit doc ~ yE bfeska
down? But should pobhes snieioe bction them,
bow long viii thess sayse iseS
Of this tenure Of pubic oeg viii S., shsnd il be per-
mansnty adopted, to substitute 2 q, system OF re-
sponsibfty, founded Upon the ability and integrity
with which, public officers discharge teir duties to the
community, system Of universal rapacisy. Incum-
benes fedng the instability of their situations, and
Knowing their liability to periodical removals, at short
terms, without any regard to the manner in which
they have executed their trusts, viii be dispo-
sed to make the most of their uncertain Offices, whilst
ithey hold them. And hence we may expect immune
rabie cases Of fraud, pccuation and corruption.
fresdsnt Jackson commented his official career on
the 4th of March last, with every motive which
should operate on the human heart to urge him to
forget the preJudces and passions which had been eX
hloted mthe previous contest, and to practice dign
he'd moderation and forbearancc. He had been the
choice ola considerable majority of the people, and
was elected by large majority of the Electoral votes
he had been elected mainly from the all powerful IN
uence Ut gratitude for his brilliant military services
spite of doubts aud fears entertained by many who
contributed to his elevation. He was far advanced
In years. aud If fame speak true, suffering under
the JOINT Dirmities of age aud disease. He had re-
gently been VISITED by one Of the sevcrest Affections
OF frovGencs, IN the PrYntion of the partner Of his
bosom, whom he Is represented to have tendery loved
and who warmly returned all his Affection He had
| ho taAio VII WHOui u Cast HIS n0nOrS Under such
circumstances, was ever man more mperiously call
cd upon to ste all the vindctive passions of his ma
turc, to Quel every rcbellous feeling Of his heart and
to dedicate the short residue of his life to the God
VINO hadso long blessed and spared him. and to the
Sconntry which had greatly honored him?
smcescly hope that he will yet do this hope so,
FOR the sake OF human nature, and for the sake OF his
own reputation. Whether he has, during the two
months OF his administration, conducted himself
let iscts tel: andiistory pronounce. Truths mighty
and will prevail
! Il was objected to Mr. Adams that, by appointing
several numbers Of Congress to public placcs he en-
dangercd the pnrity the body, and established a
precedent traugt with the most miscellaneous cfnsn
quences. And President jackson fno he bcpred his
PARDON 1t Was candidate Jackson was so u,tch n
arnicd by these appointments, for the Integrity and
PerancIcy OF oIr institutions. that IN solemn COM
fnunicatlon which he deliberately made to the cois
iature oil tennessee, he declared his firm conviction
to he, that no member of Congress Ought to be alp
pointed tn any office except n seat upon the bench
Andh ne added that he himself would conform to That
4 rule.
! Daring the four years OF Mr. hdsms,s a,lm,n;st,.
ton, the whole number OF appointments made Nv him
from Congress, did not exceed four or five In the
mrs. ior weeks OF that OF his Successor more than
aohoie tnat number have been appointed BY him. In
the hrst two morths Of President Jacksnn's admins
tratloil, he has appointed more members of CONGRESS
10 pa0ilc office, than believe we're appointed by any
one OF hls predecessors during the whole period of
iaaf or eight years And it appears that no office
tins favoured class, from that of head of depart
ment down to an fncorsderabe collecorship or even
subordinate Office under collector. HI have not
heen msinormed representative from the great
est commercial metropolis in the n. States has ,e
Gently been appointed some inferior station bv tb
COLLECTION OF the port of New York
Without meaning to assert, as a general princine
that In no case would 1t be proper that resort should
triei talents eaa experencea snblc seryan,a
III the Executive Judicial etepar tments all must
agree that such resort should not be too often
made; and that there should be limit, both as
to the nuinber and the nature'of the appointments
And do sincerely think that this limit has in both
particulars, been transcribed beyond I'll safe bounds
and SO as to excite serious apprehensions.
IL isnnt however my opinion, but that of President
jackson which the public has now to consider Hav-
ing declared to the American people, through the
tennessee Legislature, the danger Of the prnctice
having deliberately committed himself to act i'm CON
sonance with that declared opinion, how can he nov,
De lustihed IN violating this solemn pledge, and in en-
failing upon this country perilou precedent frauph
with the corrhptIng tendency which he described
| IL is Ill vaihto say that the Constitutions as i now
stands, does not forbid these appointments II does
not cnoin them If there he an inherent defect in
the theoretical character ofthe Instrument President
Jackson WIS hound to have reeencd his pledge md
employed the whole influence and weight of his
nanle to remsdy the defect, in its practical opcra-
/ tIon' The CONSTITUTION admitted oftii service of
one man, IN the Presidential office during his life if
! ne could secure successive elections. That great
I reiorner rs President Jackson describes him whom
no processes to initiate, did not wait for an amend
ent OF the Constitution 10 correct that defect but
after the example of the Father ofhis Country, by
declining to serve longer Than two TERMS established
practical principle, which is not likely to be viola
tied.
There was another class Of citizens upon whom
| public offices had been showercd in the greatest pro-
fusion. not know the number Editors of news
papers that have been recently appointed but have
noticed, IN the public prints some fifteen or tyentv
And they were generally ofthose whose papers had
niunIfestedthe greatest activity in the late canvass,
the most vulgar abuse of opponents and the most
iulseme praise OF their avovrite candidate. Editors
are as much entitled to be appointed any other
class OF the community butt if the number and the
quality of those promoted be such as to render papa-
BILE the motive of their appointments if they are pre-
ierred, not on account of their fair pretcnsons ard