Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-12-15

FreSldenL electeu ny mlnoTlLys CdHuOI ell
10y the confidence necessary to the sue
cessful discharge of his duties.
In this, as in all other matters Of publick
concern, policy requires that as few imped-
iments as possible should exist to the free
operation OF the publick will. Let us, then,
endeavour so to amend our system that the
office of Chief Magistrate may not be con-
ferrcd upon any citizen but in pursuance Of
fair expression of the will of the majority
l would therefore recommend such an
! amendme mt of the Constitution as may re-
move all intermediate agency in the election
of President and Vice President. The
mod e may be so regulated as to preserve to
each State its present relative weight in the
election; and failure in the first attempt
may be provided for, by combining the sec.
ond to choice between the two highes,
candidates. In connection with such ar
amendment, it would seem ADVISABLE to
limit the service of the Chief Magistrate tc
single term of either four or six years. If
however, it should not be adopted, it is wor-
thy Of consideration whether a provision
disqualifying for Office the Representatives
in Congress on whom such an election may
have .devolved, would not be proper.
| While members of Congress can be con.
stitutionally appointed to Offices Of trust and
profit, it will be the practice, even under the
most conscientious adherence to duty to Sc.
lect them for such stations as they are be-
lieved to be better qualified to fill than 9TH
er citizens; but the purity of our Govern
ment 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 necessi-
ty of securing in the Cabinet and in diplo.
matick stations of highest rank, the best
talents and political experience, should per-
haps, except these from the exclusion.
There are perhaps few men who can, fol
any great length of time, enjoy office and
power, without being more or less under
the influence of feelings unfavourable to a
faithful discharge of their publick duties
Their integrity may be proof against i'm
proper considerations Immediately addressed
to themselves, but they are apt to acquire a
habit of lookingindifferently upon the publick
interests, and of tolerating conduct from
which an unpractised man would revolt.
Office is considered as species of proper
ty and Government, rather as means of
promoting individual interests, than as an in
strument created solely for the service of
the People. Corruption in some cases, and
in others perversion of correct feelings
aad principles, divert Government from its
legitimate ends, and make it az engine for
the support of the few at the expense Of the
many. The duties of all publick officers are,
or, at least, admit of,being, made so plain and
simple, that men of intelligence 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 expert
ence. submit, therefore, to your consid-
Grafton, whether the efficiency of the Gov
ernment would not be be promoted, and Of
fetal industry and integrity better secured,
by general extension of the law which
limits appointments to four years.
In country where Offices are created
solely for the benefit of the People, no one
man has any more intrinsick right to official
station than another. Offices were not es-
tablished to give support to particular men
at the publick expense. No individual
wrong is therefore done by removal, since
neither appointment to, nor continuance in,
office is matter of right. The incumbent
became an officer with view to publick
benefits; and when these require his remov-
al, they are not to be sacrificed to private
interests. 1t is the People, and they alone,
who have right to complain, when bad
officer is substituted for good one. He
who is removed has the same means of OBJ
tanning living that are enjoyed by millions
who never held Office. The proposed limi-
tation would destroy The idea of property
now so generally connected with official sta
ton; and although individual distress may be
sometimes produced, it would by promoting
that rotation which constitutes leading
principle in the republican creed, give
healthful action to the system.
No very considerable change has occur
ed during the recess of Congress, in the
condition of either our Agriculture, Com
MERGE, or Manufactures. The operation
of the Tariff has not proved so injurious to
the two former, nor as beneficial to the lat
ter, as was anticipated. Importations of
foreign goods have not been sensibly d.
minished; while domestick competition, un-
der an Elusive excitement, has increased
the production much beyond the demand
for home consumption. The consequences
have been low prices, temporary embarrass-
ment, and partial loss. That such of our
manufacturing establishments as are based
upon capital, and are prudently managed,
will survive the shock, and be ultimately
profitable, there is no good reason to doubt.
To regulate its conduct, so as to promote
equally the prosperity of these three eardi-
nal interests, is one of the most difficult tasks
of Government and it may be regretted that
the complicated restrictions which now en-
barrass the intercourse of nations, could not
by common consent be abolished, and CON-
merce allowed to flow in those channels to
which individual enterprise-always its sur
est guide-might direct it. But we must
ever expect selfish Legislation in other ma
tions. and are therefore compelled to adapt
our own to their regulations, in the manner
best calculated to avoid serious injury, and
to harmonize the conflicting interests of our
agriculture, our commerce, and our manu-
features. Under these impressions, invite