Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-12-09

| would therefore recommend Sucn al a-
mendment of the Constitution as may remove
all intermediate agency in the election Of Pre-
sident and Vice President. The mode may
be so regulated as to preserve 10 each State its
present relative weight in the election; and a
failure in the first attempt may be provided
for, by con6ning the second to choice be-
tween the two highest candidates. In con-
nex;on with such an amendment, it would
seem advisable to limit the service of the
Chief Magistrate to single term, of either
four or six years. If. however, it should not
be adopted, it is worthy of consideration whe-
ther provision iisqualifying for Office the
Representatives in Congress on whom such an
election may have devolyed, would not be
proper.
While members of Congress can he consti-
tutionally appointed to Offices Of trust and pro-
int, it will he the practice, even under the
most conscientious adherence to duty, TO Sc
lect them for such stationsaS they are believed
to be better qualified to fill than other citi-
zens; but the purity of our government would
doubtless be promoted by their exclusion from
all appointments in the gift of The President,
in whose election they may have been officially
concerned. The nature of the judicial Office,
and the necessity of securing in the Cabinet
and in diplomatic stations ofthe highest rank,
the hest talents and political experience, should
perhaps except these from the exclusion.
There are, perhaps, few men, who can,
for any great length Of tire. enjoy Office and
power, without being more or less under the
influence of feelings unfavorabic to faithful
discharge of their public duties. Their inte
gritty may be proof against improper conside-
rations Immediately addressed to themselves,
but they are apt to acquire habit Of looking
with indifference upon the public interests,
aud of tolerating conduct from which an I'M
practised man would revolt. Office is sonsi-
dered as species of property; and Govern
ment, rather as means of promoting indivi
dual interests, than as an instrument created
solely for the service Of the People. Corrup-
ton in some, and, in others, perversion Of
correct feelings and principles, divert Gov
crnmen: from its Legitimate ends, and make it
an engine for the support of the few at the
expense ofthe many. he duties of all pub
lie officers are, or, at least, admit of being
made, so plain and simple, that men ofintelli-
gence may readily qualify themselves for their
performance; and | cannot but believe that
more is lost by the long continuance of men in
Office, than is generally to be gained by their
experience. Isubmit, therefore, to your con-
sideration, whether the efficiency of the Gov
would not be promoted, and official
industry and integrity better secured, by a
nrruivxrvnsIun 81 ufe law wnIcn limits an
pointments to four years.
In country wherr offices are created solely
tor the bench: OF he people, no one man has
any more inst'insic right TO official station
tn4n another Offices wee not established l.,
give 'upporr 10 particular men at the public
expense No ind vidLal wrong is th.r. fore
lone by removal, since neither apportmen, to
i'r con luance in Office, is msiter Of right The
Incumbent became an offirer with view 10
public benz FITS; and when 'hese require his re.
noVal, they are no' 10 be sacrificed to priva 2
n'e'ts's. II isl The People, anu they alone, who
AVE right to complain, wbel. bad officer is
ubstitu'ec for good one. He who is rrmov.
q has the sam means OF obtaining a living
lat are enjoyed by tie millions who never
rld othce The proposed limitation would
H'r"y me idea "f property nnw so generally
onnrc'ed with ofiria station; and al houph .
,o' ihua' distress may be sometimes produc. .
j, l. would, by promoting hat rotation which ,
'"S P''pSiP'e III tne feDubII> l.,
an creed, give hcahfuI action to :he system.
No very considerable change has occurred. !
airing tie recess Of Congress, in the condition
either our Agriculture, Commerce, or Ma.
''a'iu'es The operation Of the Tariff mas
u proved so inJuiiou 10 tie two former, nor
beneficial to the latter. as WIS anticipated
nPor'a,ions Of foreign goods have not been
nsi'iy diminished Will. domestic COMPETE
'n, under an Elusive excitement, has iucrea,,
the production mucn beyond the demand fer
me Consumption. rhe consequence. have =. u
en- low pri es, temporary embarrassment. and u
r'iai loss Tha, such of our manufacturing le
adjustments as are based upon CAPT al. and o
pruden'ly managed, will survive the SHOCK "
be ul'Imalel y prof able, there is no good ~
is"n 20 doub &c
! regulate It's conduct, So as to promote u
iaiy the prosperity Of these ,hrce cardinal Je
rrest', is one 81 the most diff ul tasks oC az
'ernmrnt; and i nav ot regretted ,ba, The Is
hp"ea'ea restrictions which now embarra,s ;"
intercourse OF nations, could not, by com e'
n b.~ 81. LIZ.