Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-14
tron the .Natio,sAl hfs!igcaceJ.
10 TIE HON. WM II. BARRY.
Post .lIqsicr Ecnerny

|
SiE have had the honor in a previous letter f.
state the circumstances WHICH preceded and followed
my removal from office, and to refer TO the reason
WHEN yo"f >vere plensod assigr for this exercise
| OF power.
in now ress!Ing nv rcmaris permit Inc 90 assure
You That am impclrd by no hostility to vou-
me prncip"l ot appointment which you have adup
ed Is oneOi vital in pOrancc the whole cu!nuni;
Il l. susceptible OF future extension II may chime
Tie tenure by which public appointments nave bacr
held muse spirit Of scrvy inconsistent will free
doh'' ana arm the pubic iunc'iOnary wish otcia
control dangerous IN proportion The number of
those Who are subjected TO It's Influence. While con-
scfng suhIcc; involving results ike these private
grleis otghJ not TO be permitted, either ia awaken
sympathy or TO Pctvert the Judgment Thounb SCH
sI0e OF the wrong which has been done me- shall alb
stain from invectlye complaint; and in revewin.
the principle upon which you have acted, ! will for
Get It possible, that have been made It's victim
bu' re1scn witch yOu hRv" I'll ylcased 20 assiru
for my removal is his: That the rotation between
iac head OF IL Department and IL principal Clerk is
one Of "coafienm nture, and, thcrcf1re. that the
mead OF Department may exclude incumbent
however meritorious or competent, and substitute
another in whom that special confidence may be pld
Cct.
il has bccn conceded that my oGiciai dufies have
been faithfully and satisfactorily performed. 1t has
not besn alleged that have been found unworthy of
the confidence of the puJic. But It seems to bc,re
quircd that, in addition the faithful performance Of
ch'c'Gi dut'cS, the Clicf Clerk Of Dep'mcrt must
nor slanaln the relation Of cofdeatH friend.
I!t necessary CiGCL OF adoption OF his DTI-luC.
if limited in Its operation, viii be to render the office
OF the Chief Clerk the most prccarorls under Gov
crnnert Every ncw heed will require his ne,r friend
the clnnge oOnc viii he the signal for the removal
OF the other. The injurious tendency ola policy like
this, must he obvious TO all. The sifu3nn TO which
the law attaches The higher rate of compensation and
which cannot be filled with too much circurIspecticn
viii be viewC1 the least desirable under Gov
ernmcnt, and be Stunned by every man who desires
permanent support. II will be considered as the
mere excrcsceucc Of The higher office. and be- flied
not by the experience and talent which the Depart-
mont might furnish, bot by some fJmily Gcpcndcnf
some confidential friend official protccc more vii
ling to retain the secrets, or screen the measures of
his chief. then able to perform the public service
Thus will system Of Sinergre placcmcn be common
ced it, poison will gradually he dlliiscd throughout
the body polite; and dronCs in Office fed by the indus
try OF the land VIII be willing to purchase precari-
subsistence 10y any species Of degradation which
the head Of Department may command. It's imuc-
date effect upon the department itself will DO fatal
20 is correct and honorable administration. u
not be disguised that in every condition If life
arc excited 20 effort III proportion Cmoluncnt. hon
or, or applause" IS opened 10 their view. What sir
produces the sluggish movement rfthC slave, Sin,
ply because hc Is cat oil from the promises of nope;
MS lie rolls on in uniform pTOgrcssiuD NoChecrIrcr
prospect aGuuaes his zeal rotisCs his ambition or
rnklndcs emulation: His highest efforts can gain
bot lcGing commentator, forgotten as soon as ne
. SCI! in the conttiOnn which it was commenced. And
Is not this the state to which the adoption of vour
principle viii degrade the gentlemen your Depart
menE Can ttey expect prcformcuts .Ntrer. Tho
highest Office within the scope Of their ambition : II,
hereafter nc filled not or the prncirc Of merit
or experience. or service, but only on the orornd o
Ffi"E;c tF.eRasNf Tic allotted salaries ot s.5a5di