Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-23
From the National journal.
LETTER ON REFORM ".

From the National journal.
LETTER ON REFORMING. ~.
My old Friend: -,
Our progre.. has been slow and PAINFUL
Every step has BEEN gained by triumph over
the preconceived opinions Of the General 'he
,cruplrs of he few timid and modest meh OIL
The party, aud the prevailing preiudlces OF the
homes, well meaning people Of The country
The General came here with some OF those
old fashioned notions Of Washington, whlch
we're very good in his day, and sounded very
well in the mouth Of a man elected ny tne
whole people; Out do not suit the presen' al,
vanced state Of political science he began 20
talk Of putting himself at the head Oh 'he
nation, and rendering himself indepena'h' "
parties and factions; that he YOU'D destroy ."e
monster party, and all that, but there WAS q
power behind the throne, greater 'han '"e
throne itself; "a central power by when nc
was taught that he was only part o. q s'e".
sustem that he was the mere instrumeh, W
| a party, 10 WELD the power they had p'acea !"
his hands for their political purposes. we
told him that hi.Srst duty was to signsh-e
his victory by taking revenge on his ene a'e''
& BY distributing rewards among those triends
who had borne the Drum, Of The battle and dis
,ineuished themselves in the action; that ohn
Proscri while il strikes saiuary Ter
ror, furnishes the victims tina, grace the 'ri'
UNI ph VIVA, had we been hghting Tor, II nri
for The Offices? The general was iItiie ne adj
strong oil FIRST, and declared he would remove
no faithful public servant on account OF MS
opinions. We gradually overcame his scru
ples. We established d sys'em OF espionage !;
piled him with informa,ious; excited his pas
siuns; planted some thorough gong men
round him: the work was done. He yielded
no, only the principle, but he power; aud IN
| short time Comptroller could remove and
appoint as well as the President, 1t became
| no longer necessary TO consult him Inc sys'
tenn was established. 1t Is founded on the
principle of The frudaI system: the country is
in the nature Of conquered province; the Of
| fees are divided among six gres. SeIgneurs,
who distribute them (llks The lands 10 he sol.
diers) upon condition Of homage, ieal'y and
service; from military or knight service, down
| 10 the base service OF yillenaee. The Cabinet
Ministers, selected from different interests, and
having diffeIen objects, we're soon DIVIDED IN
| 10 two parties; and ale called the Double Cabi'
| net. As there was no unity OF design nor con.
| sisteucy Of principle, the President, in becom'
ing The umpire, bee anne also the arbi'er, 10 all
questions OF public policy: while an interior
Csbinrt called Council Of Control, regulated
all the affairs Of Administration; an unseen
council that holds The corree tive and control OF
the active powers Of the Stale. To his secret
tribunal is referred the whole subject OF pro-
scription, and the whole range OF selection -
These king mar or make whom 'hey
will they made fell swooo IN the ranks OF
Opposition know no, who is moss TO De
piled, The old officer with his numerous fami-
ly, driven ~, To stF~,e, the Rambling incnm>
bent who snxiously ,awai his dom or the more
anxious restless & hopeless expec'an', who wan
ders through The streets. or haunts the pslacr.
The Presiden, is elected.ay the people He
is therefore their agent, aud speaks in their
voice add acts in their name whatever he says
or does in their name, is bv their special dele
gauon. The Members Of Congress have only
to obey their will in obeying and serving him
and he virtue, spiri' and power of the Senae
consists in is bring the express image OF the
feelings Of the naion. Thus perfect demo-
crscy is established BY the power Of one man
The people ale restored TO their rights, and the
voice of opposition is silenced We shall now
experience the harmonious CO operation OF al
parts of the Government. Hitherto we nave
witnessed excessive yea OIL the side OF liberty,
or il pursui, Of popular favor or IN defence oil
popular rights and privileges.
But now we shall see "lhat the favor Of inc peo-
4 pl. is not SO sure road as the favor Of the
" Courr, to popular honors and to popular
"trusts." Thr Government, will be no longer
embarrassed by resistance to every app arance
of lawless power | he spiri, ofindepepdencs.
the freedom Of opinion, and the liberty Of &C
ton, which have caused so much trouble 10
other countries, are entirely suppressed An
active inquisrive character 10 discover, and
bold one TO dis.,' ay every corruption and every
error Of government, will sink INFO an indo
lent, submr ssise, disposi,ion-a disposition to
think cha, abl, Of all the ac'inns of men in
power. VIVA has opposition to hope? MOI The
Offices certainly; No, ,hr Executive favor; nor
the popular applause; no. public honors. Even
you my old friend, would save no heart 10 car
ry on an opposition, AID to Struggle in vain
against power and numbers.