The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-17

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its present relative weight in the election; and
failure in tho fret attempt may be provided
for, by confning tho second to choice be.
tween the two highest candidates. In con.
nexion with such an amendment, it would
seem advisable 10 limit the service Of tho
Chief Magistrate 10 u single term, Of either
four or six years. IT. however, il should not
DO adopted, IL lie worthy Of consideration whe.
ther provision disqualiiying for Office the
Representatives in Congress ON whom such
an election may havo dOvoved, would moi be
proper.
While members Of Congress can DO consti
tuiionally appointed 20 Offices Of trus, and pro-
ht, 1t will be the practice, even under tho mos,
conscientious adherence TO duty, TO select
them for such stations as they are believed 60
DO better qualified 10 All than other citizens;
but tho purity OF our Government would
doubtless he promoicdhy their exclusion from
all appointments in the gin Of the President
in whose election they may have been official
! ly concerned. The nature of tho judicial of
fee, and the necessity OF securing 10 the Cab
met and in diplomstio stations Of the highest
rsnk. the best talents and political experience
should, perhaps, except these from the exelu
| sion.
There are psrhops few men who can, for
any grea, length Of time, enjcy office and
power, without being more or less under the
influence Of feelings unfnvorsble to q faithful
discharge Of thsir public duties Their integ
riiy may be proof against improper considers
tions mmsdiciuly addressed 10 themselves,
but they are apt TO acquire habit OF looking
with indifference upon the public interests
and Of oftolcrsting conduct from which an IN.
practiscd man would revolt. Office is consi.
dcred as a species Of property; and Govern.
mont, rather as means Of promoting indivi'
dual interests, than - an instrument efestsd
solely for the service Of tho People. Corrvp.
ton in some, and in others, a petvsrsion Of
corrcc, feslinsssnd principles, divert Govern.
ment from ito Legitimate ends, ond make 10 On
engine for tho tuppor, Of the few at the eI
pense of tho many. The duties Of oil public
officers arc, or at least admit Of being made,
I 80 plsin and simple. that men Of intelligence
may readily qualify themselves for their per.
tornapce and cannot but belieys that more
ls lost by tho long continuance OF msn IN OF
fee than 10 generally to be gained by their
experience. ] submit, therefore, TO your
confederation, whether tho efficiency OF the
Government, would not be promoted, and Off.
cisl industry md integrity better secured, by
a general extension Of the law which limits
appointments TO four years
In a country ~hero oiTcos are croaicd solely
for the benefit Of The peoplc, no one man bss
any more intrinsic right 10 oiicial station
than smother. Offices wore not established
to give support 10 particular men al tho pub
lie expense. No individual wrong 10 therefore
done by removal, since nsi,her appointment
to, nor con:inuaneo in Office, 10 q matter Of
ricbt. Tho incumbent became an otEcst With
a view to public benefits; and when these
require his removal, thoy are not TO be ssefi.
feed to private interests IL 10 the People,
and they ulopo who buvo srigh, to complain,
when bad officer 10 substituted for good
one. llo who 10 removed has the snme means
of obtaining living that aro enjoyed by Tho
millions rho never held Office. Tho proposed
limitation would destroy tho idea Of property |
now so generally connected with official sta
lion; ond although individual distress may DO
snmetmes produced, 1t would, by promoting
TINT rotation which constitutes lsuding prin.
ciplo in tho Republican creed, give hoalihi0l
action TO tho systom.
No very considerable change hns occurred
during the recess Of Congress, ia the cond-
ton Of either our Agriculture, Commerce or
Manufactures Tho operation Of the Tariff
has not proved 80 injurious 10 the two former,
nor ss beneficial TO tho Inter, 90 WAS sntici-
lpated-lmporiations Of foreign goods have
not been ssnsibly diminished; while domestic
competition, under on illusyo excitement, has
increased the production nsch beyond ihc
demand for home consumption. The eonse.
quenccs have been, low prices, Temporary ON.
! barrassment, and partial loss. That such OF
our manufacturing establishments as srs based
| upon capital and are prvdently managed, will
survive The shock and bo ultimately profitable,
there 10 no good reason to doubt.
| To regulate its conduct, so ssto promote
equally the prosperity Of these three cardinn
| interests, il ono Of tho most difficult tasks OF
| Government; and il may be regretted that the
complicated restrictions which now embar'
mss tho intercourse Of nations, could not by
common consent be abolished, and commerce
allowed 10 flow in those channels TO which IN
dvidual ~ntcrprise-slways its suresf guide,
might direct il. But We must ever expect
| selfish legislation in other nations, and ore
therefore compelled 20 adapt our own TO their
regulations, in the mannor best calculated 10
ayoid serious injury, and TO harmonic the
conflicting Interests Of our agriculture. our
commerce, and our manufactures. Under
these impressions, | invite your attention TO
tho existing Tariff, believing that somo of its
| provisions require modification.
| Tho general rulo TO be applied In gradual.
| ing tho duties upon articles Of foreign growth
or manufacture, 10 that which will place our
own in fair competition with those ot other
countries, and the inducements to advance
even a step bsysnd this point, arc controlling
! in regard TO those articles which are of Prim'
! ary necessity in time Of war. When we re-
! feet upon tho difficulty and dollcncy OF this
| operation, II is important that 1t should mover
be attempted but with the utmost caution
Frequent legislation in regard TO any branch
Of industry, tfIee,ing its value, ond by which
its capital may bo transferred to new chan
nels, mas, always DO productive OF hazardous
speculation and loss.
In delibsrating. therefore, on thesc interest.
ing subjects, loea feelings& & prejudie.s should
DO merged in tho patriotic determination 10
promote the great interests Of the whole. All
attempts 10 connect them with the party con.