Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-19
Tte Constitutional eaabtg.
: FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 10, 1893.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The more we examine this state paper, the more
we are convinced that it is not the work of great
statesman who looks with single eye to the good
OF his country, and TO the eternal principles of gus
tlce; but of an intriguing, selfish, cunning aud wire
working politician. A. to General Jacksun's having
written IT. we throw that out Of the question. Even
Ills most Jealous partizans give itup.
We call the attention of our readers to the following
remarkable passages found in that part of the Mes
sage which is intended to justify the unjustatie re-
movals froC. Office.
81 submit therefore your consideration whether
the efficiency ofthe Government would not be promoted
and official industry and integrity better secured, by
general extension of the law which limits appoint
ments to four years.
s'The proposed limitation woull DESTROY the idea of
property now generally connected with official sta
ton; und although individual distress may be some
times produces,isouid by promoting that rotation
IN Office, which constitutes leading principle in the
republican creed, give hcalthfu action the SYSTEM"
plain man reading these passages and their
Context, would be led to suppose that General Jack
son had made no new appointments Office except in
those cases where the official hal expired and
that he now asked for authority to subject quad
rennIa rotation all the officers Of the country. We
say that plain would infer from the passeres
quoted, that the President had power to remore
from Office at ALL but only supersede once in four
years, and that even this power of supcrsediny did
not extend to all officers. But what is the fuca Did
Gen. jackson an single instance wait for the in
cumbents term to expire before he displaced him. Or
lfa single insta nce did ask cmphatcally whc
Their IN great many of removal tho nominations
had not been made short time previously by the late
president. and confirmed by the Senate? OF what
consequence is it to President Jackson whether the
term OF Office be limited to one. four dozen years?
Does he not exercise his sovereign will, and remove
the incumbent though he may have served day only
as well as twenty years? Is thls whole part of
the Message manocuvrc, Il miserable
effort to withdraw attcntio. from the Presidents
tyrannical and vndictve course Of prescription? But
What does he by general extension oft he law
which limits appointments four years." We thought
and believed that all appointments TO otpl Offices
with a few exceptions, made every four years
Is it meant by "a general extension, to embrace all
naval and military officers? Does the President think
IN relation to them too, that 'mure is lost by contin-
uing them in Office too long, than is guined by their
experience" Does he think that an ACCOMPLISHED
soldier or sailor may be made in day or week? Or
what does lie mean? We ask neighbor Of the
Enquirer to give clue to the Presidents meaning
The can, or if he cannot, that he will write to his
good friend at Washington, who, we have 10 doubt,
keeps the key.
Thc editor of the Enquirer cannot speak of the
message without falling into perfect ccsaccs-likc
child that is just presented with doll or some
pretty trnket. He says that the Presidents enemies
are downcas and Disappointed that his friends arc
delighted enrapturc9, electrified, with the sadmira-
Bile composition that it is the very best message
which has blessed the nation since the DAYS of
Mr. Jeferson--hat it is in fact every thing that is
manly and perfect. Fortunately for him in his vo-
deals in generaltes most convenient cover for here
after skuking out ofany dilemma in which he may be
placed. Why does he not tell that be approves Of
the Presidents sentiments respecting manufactures
that he is in favor of putting down the U. States
Bank and putting up in its place u mammoth insttu-
tion to be under the direct control of the Govern
nent-that he is in favor of distributing the surplus
among the several States in the ratio of their
representation he is in favor of extending the
number of federal judges, and having two supreme
courts alternately assembled at Washington? Our
lives upon it, if MIR. Adams or Nj Clay had sent such
message to Congress the editor of the ENQUIRER
would have found abundant cause for censure, and
DO not believe him possessed of sufficient
hardhood to take up these proposed measures Sc
Tiatim and support them.
Bat what slall we say of the atrocious scheme
90 compel the Cherokees and Creeks to abandon their
country or to submit to the Unlimited tyranny of
Georgia and Alabama? Does the gentleman approve
this! He dare not it. We repeat he dare not.
lie knows better than to offend the moral sentiment
Of VirgnianS by espousing the most cxccrable doc
trnes and policy which were declared from the
lips Of despotism
We have something more on this subject which
we intend to spread before readers. We shall
not let this matter pass posed and unreprobated,
and Whatever may be the result we shall discharge
our duty to humanity and TO our country.
LEGISLATURE.
House or DELEGATES, THURSDAY, DEC. II.
u,uas cd ti,c 70