The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-28

80 70 OtuCi piuSSo W So ~'"SS"'
which bad never been known before. AL
though he had inveighed with warmth
against the supposed corruption Of the pub
lie Press under the preceding Adminlstra-
ton, and his Inaugural Address had even de-
nounced his predecessor for having brought
the patronage of the Government into con-
filct with the purity of elections, partlzan
editors were now among the most favored
classes of pretenders TO employment. I'm
der these circumstances the first year OF the
present Administration presented little else
than an eager and tumultuous scramble Tor
place. The Offices which were instituted
for the public service and ought to be con-
ferred with a view to no other object, were
apparently, and even avowedly, treated as
prizes to be distributed among the conquer
ers in the struggle parties. What have
we been fighting for-was the language o:
some of the leading Administration prints
if the public Offices are not to be the spolls
of victory?
Such were the auspices under which the
present Administration commenced then
N-.-~ar- Ths.p- spefe lot of kind 10 create
very high expectations from 81 ? resultUs
their labors. The subseque Mt f-,rogresF of
events has shown very clearly thaG tte.east
favorable expectations shat could possibly
have been formed Of their policy we're yet
too sanguine-that our NEST ing'ttoas IN
situations are 'now seriously threatened, ana
that continuance in the course we are
pursuing will probably plunge the coun-
try, at no distant period, into dangerous
perhaps irremediable confusion.
In the conduct of the foreign affairs,
there has been, however, an appearance of
success, in consequence Of the fact that sew
eral arrangements with foreign Powers
which had been matured, and in some in
stances concluded, under the preceding Ad-
ministra.ion have been made public under
this Sucn was the case with the treaties
with Austria, with Brazil, with Denmark,
and with Turkey. In announcing the con-
clusion of these arrangements, President
of an elevated and generous disposition
would have taken delight in doing complete
Justice to the merits of political competitor
General Jackson took to himself, withou,
scruple or ceremony, the whole credit OF
these negotiations and on this and other
occasions affectedly avoided to mention the
name of his predecessor. In the recent
treaty with France the principle adopted by
the last Administration in the arrangements
with Denmark were proposed as the basis o
a compromise and in consequence of favor
able change in the internal policy of th'
former Power, was assentcd to. The treatv
with Great Britain, snppo sing it even, which
may we'll be doubted, to have been the hes
arrangement which circumstances rendered
practicable, was obtained by concessions
derogatory to the honor of the country ant
the dignity of the Government
The hama in othor 70
spects, mistaken the leading principles il
the true foreign policy of the country
With Russia, our most important, powerful
and useful political ally, our relations have
been wholly neglected. At critical mo-
ment in the political affairs of Earope, wher
our influence with the Emperor of Russis
might have been turned to the best account
in favor of the cause of free government
when the breaking out of n general wal
may render his influence in Europe of the
highest importance to ourselves, distiD-
gushed citizen, who had for many years
represented the country with extraordinary
credit and success ct St. Petersburg, and
who was known to be personally agreeable
to the Imperial family, is abruptly recalled
and the affairs of the Legation left in a
wholly uncertain state.
On the great subjects of internal policy
which have given rise to conflicting opinions
and adverse feelings among the citizens,
the course Of the President has been so in
consistent and vaciating that it is impos-
sible for any party to place confidence in
his character, or to consider him as a true
and effective friend. By avowing his ap-
probation of a judicious Tariff, and at the
same time recommending to Congress pre-
cisely the same policy which had been
adopted as the hest plan Of attack by the
opponents Of that measure; by admitting
the constitutionality and expediency of in
ternal improvements of national character,
and at the same moment negativing the
most important bills Of this description
which were presented to him by Congress,
the President has shewn that he is either a
secret enemy Of the system, or that he is
willing to sacrifice the most important ma
tional objects in vain attempt to cenciliate
the conflicting interests, or rather adverse
party feelings and opinions of different Sec
tions of the country. How can the Presi-
dent he regarded at the Nsrth and West as
the friend Of the tariff and internal improve
ments, when his only recommendation at
the South is the anticipation that he is the
person through whose agency the whole
system is to he Frustrated With Chief
Magistrate who acts upon SO temporiZing
and uncertain a policy, it is obviously i'm
possible that any abatement can take place
of the excitement that prevails upon these
disturbing topics. 1t is only through the
Intervention of statesman, in whose known
sentiments and elevated character all par
ties can place confidence, that a hope can
he entertained Of SO regulating these deli
cate subjects as to extend fair and Impair
tial protection to all the great branches oil
industry, whether agricultural, commercial,
manufacturing, or mechanical, without ex-
citing the just apprehensions of any sincere
and enlightened friend of the constitution
and the Union.
Next to the great measures of policy
which protect and encourage domestic in
dustry, the most important question, con-
nected with the economical policy of the
country, is that of the Bank. This great
and beneficial institution, Ivy facilitating
exchanges between different parts of the
Union, and maintaining sound, ample, and
healthy state of the currency, may be said
to supply the body polite, economically
viewed, with continual stream of life blood,
without which it must inevitably languish,
and sink into exhaustion. 1t was first con-
celved and organized by the powerful mind
OF Hamilton. After having been Temporal
r'ly shaken by the honest though groundless
scruples of other statesmen, it has been re-
called to existence by the general consent
OF all parties, and with the universal appro-
IL 4