Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-06

NAbAN biNOii 49, lBliiACb iANNt
served eXcellently well as guides for his
own conduct in Office; and it was per-
maps not unreasonable TO hope that his
action would correspond, in some imper
feet degree at least, with his previous
professions. Had this been the case, his
administration would have given COM
plete satisfaction TO the country
Whether its complete and acknowledged
failure has been owing to detects in his
own character, or to the influence of e.
vii cousels on his mind and measures, is
point which it is unnecessary, and
would be ungrateful to discuss. We
should regret 20 visit with too severe
censure the last days oil one, who, in an
other line of duty, has done the State
much service, and whom nothing but
the imprudence ofinudicious friends, or
rather the efforts of political partisans,
who found it convenient to make use of
his name and popularity for their own
selfish purposes, has prevented from 60
ing down to posterity with high militia
ry reputation, and filling an honorable
place in our history. We are rather
willing to believe that, placed in situa-
ton for which he was by education and
character wholly unfit, worn out by tolls,
infrmities, and the natural progress of
age, he acted under influences which,
morally speaking, he could not well con-
troll. However this may be, it is certain
that the expectations and hopes which
some persons may have been disposed to
indulge Of the success of his administra-
ton, have been signally disappointed,
and that his failure has been more COM
plete than even his enemies could have
possible anticipated. The political his
tory of the Union for the last three
years, exhibits series of measures plain
~ dictated in all their principal features
by blind cupidity or vindictive party
spirit, marked throughout by a disre-
gard for good policy, justice, and every
high 81 generous sentiment, 81 terminal
ing in dissolution of the Cabinet under
circumstances more scandalous than any
ofthe kind to be met with in the annals of
the civilized world. The voluntary dis
solution of the Cabinet authorizes the re-
mark which we have made above, that
the failure of the administration Of Gen.
Jackson, was not only signal and COM
plete, but acknowledged and it is re-
markable. that, after this public acllnow-
ledgment of his incapacity to execute the
duties of his Office, through agents ap-
pointed by himself, even to his own sat
islaction, he should deem it eXpedient to
offer his services to the nation for d Sc
eond term.
The first Official act OF the President
indicated, in striking and painful man
ner, in how small degree any favora-
BILE anticipations that might have been
formed of his conduct were likely to be
realized. We allude to his Inaugural
Address to the People, in which he
ievelled against tho administration ofhis
predecessor sweeping charge Of inca
pacity 81 corruption. 4 charge ofinca-
pacity to conduct the civil affairs of the
country, preferred by Andrew Jackson
against such men as Mr.. Adams, Mr..
Clay, and their distinguished colleagues
In Office, was of course merely ludicrous,
but the imputation of corruption was Of
more serious character. Had there been
the least foundation for it in fact, it is
obvious that the last person who ought to
have made it his business to denounce it
TO the public was the President of the
United States, who has no other consti-
tutional agency in regard to such effen-
ces but the power pardon. The indie
eorum of this dcnunciation was hardly
less glaring than its essential injustice,
and can only be paralleiled by that ofthe |
subsequent denunciation OF the same adj |
ministration, on the same authority to q
foreign government.
This proceeding awakened in the
mind of every good citizen very painful
forebodings as to the consequences which
were TO follow upon such a commence
mcnt.
These forebodings were too soon re-
allied. The next act of the Admins
Tration was a general removal of such
public agents as were not recommended
by attachment to the person or party of
the President. The extent to which
this system was carried is strikingly
evinced by the fact, that within month
after the Inauguration Of Gen. Jackson,
more persons were removed from Office
than during the whole forty years that
had elapsed since the adoption Of the
Constitution. The motive which led to
this policy is illustrated by the fact, that
1t was applied principally in States where
the majority Of the people were opposed
TO the Administration, while in the 9TH
ers there were comparatively few remov-