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

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We only differed in the selec-
ton of agents to carry that policy into eff
feet. Experience can alone determine
who was right. If that policy continues
to be pursued, under the new administra-
ton, it shall have as cordial support from
me. as if its care had been confded TO
agents of my choice. If, on the contrary,
it shall be neglected or abandoned, the
friends to whom now refer will be bound |
by all the obligations of patriotism and
consistency to adhere TO the policy.
We take a new commencement from the
fourth of March last. After that day those
who supported the election of the present
Chief Magistrate were left as free to Judge
of the conduct of his Administration as
those who opposed it. 1t will be more In
in them, if he disappoints their
expectations, to disapproye his admins
tration than it will be in us to support It,
If, disappointing ours, he should preserve
the established policy of the Nation, and
introduce no new principle of alarming
tendency.
They bestowed their sufrages, upon
the supposltion that the government would
be well administered; that public pledges
would be redeemed, solemn professions be
fulfilled, and the rights and Liberties ofthe
people be protected and maintained. II
they shall find themselves deceived, in any
of these respects; should principles avow-
ed during the canvass be violated during
the Presidency, and new principles, OF
dangerous import, neither avowed to, nor
anticipated by them, be put forth, they will
have been betrayed; the distinguished IN
dividual for whom they voted will have
failed to preserve his identity, and they
will be urged by the most sacred OF duties
to apply the proper corrective.
Government is a trust, and the officers
of Government are trustees. And both
the trust and the trustees are created for
the benefit Of the people. Official incumb-
ents arc bound, therefore, to administer
the trust, not tor their own private or IN
diyidual benefit, but so as to promote the
prosperity of the people. This is the vital
principle of a Republic. If different
principle prevail, and Government be so
administered as to gratify the passions or
to promote the interests of particular m
dividual, the forms of free institutions may
remain, but that government is essen
tally a monarchy. The great difference
between the two forms of Government is,
that, in a Republic, all power and authori-
ty and all public Offices and honors ema-
nate from the people, and are exercised *
held for their benefit In a monarchy, all
power and authority, all offices and honors,
proceed from the monarch. His interests,
his caprices and his passions influence and
control the destinies of the kingdom. In
Republic the people are every thing and
a particular individual nothing. In mo-
narchy, the monarch IS every thing and
the people nothing And the true charac-
ter OF the Government is stampt not by the
forms of the appointment to Office alone,
but by its practical operation. IT, in one,
nOminally free the Chief Magistrate, as
soon as he is clothed with poweS proceeds
to exercise it so as to minister to his pas
sions, and to crafty his favofltes; and
Systematically distributes his rewards and
punishments, in the application OF the pow
er of patronage, with which he IS invested
for the good of the whole, upon the prlncl-
pie of devotion and attachment to him. and
not according to the ability and fidelity
with which the people are or may be serv-
ed, that Chief Magistrate, for the time be-
ny and within the scope of his discretion
airy power, Is in fact if not in form a mon
arch.
1t was objected to the late Admidistra-
ton that il adopted and enforced a system
of prescription. During the whole period
of it not "a solitary officer Of Government,
from Maine to Louisiana, within my
knowledge, was dismissed, on account Of
his political opinions. 1t was well known
to the late President that many officers,
who held their places subject 10 the power
of dismission, were opposed to his re-eiec.
ion. and were actively employed IN behalf
of his competitor. Yet not one was dis
charged from that cause. In the com
nencement and early part Of his admins
trahon, appointments we're Promlscuously
made from all the parties 10 the previous
canvass. And this course was pursued
until an opposition was organized, which
denounced all appointments from It's ranks
as being made, from impure purposes.
lam aware that it may be urged, that a
change was made IN some ofthe publishers
of the laws. There are about eighty an
nually designated. OF these, during the
four years Of the late administration, about