Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-12-11
,ains reflections which all men must acknowledge
to be historically just
For THE WING.
PETERSBURG. Oct. 3nth. 1920 !

For THE WHIo.
PETERSBURG, Oct. 30th, 1882.
:, Powell's Hotel.
Messrs Edtors-During INV so;onrp IN his
country, have not been an inattcntivo observer
oil passing eveats; and the delay of a day al an
S0eo'o hotel, TO recruit my exhausted energies
ri'o' very iatigung journey from the South, af-
lords me an opportunity of addressing letter to
you on the subject of politics: do this in requital
lot tho cvilities which havo received from tho
Sood people OF this country, and by no means in
hostily to their Institutions. In the first place
your Government is founded OH u theory ut vari-
ance with the experience of all mankind for cent,
rios past you will probably live to sec this favored
Republic crumbling into dust and ashes. Dcspot-
ism is tho natural inclination of the people; in
Engan we cali them the Mob; but in France a
much more sensible name is applied TO them as the
Canaillc Such, gentlemen, is as surely their in
chnation as that sparks have a tendency to fly up.
wards. In England this disposition of tho mob
mas heretofore been counteracted by the influence
ell the nobility; bat even this powerful check
tear is destined TO yield to popular influence direct
ed by designing Demigogs.
In tins country you have nothing to countcract
this tendency otyour people. Hitherto your Repub
lie has exis cd because you have had its head some
oil INC most virtuous men that lived. The ey
ample OF w ashington had a powerful effect i'm con
troul'ng the conduct of his SUCCESSORS and to NV
mind, the strongest possible evidence of the ster
ling integrity of your late President is that he re-
tanned ms Office but four years. The PATRONAGE
OF your Government is sufficient TO enable any dis
"oneS. LiS"ihoeht 10 retain II during his pleas
and II am not exceedingly mistaken, if age and
inhrmity do not do their work, this suggestion of
nine VIII become matter of history in five wears
from this day. MI. Webster of Massachusetts.
states that there have been upwards of 1000 re-
cent removals from Office since the last President.
lal election. On these data nv calcul,tion 81, m
be iounded-2 600 offices in the gift of yoar Prcsi.
dent-for each Office there probably are one
hundred exPectants This estimate alone will
give 2oo0OO persons chained to the executive will:
can such a power moving in solid phalanx, be re-
sisted! The thing is impossible. Add tn this, gen.
temcn, the natural desire of them to reduce others
to an equality with himself, and in Government
IKE tins, you have power which is always on
the watch to destroy every social institution which
raises an individual above the Lowell of his neigb
bors, and the mob will ever attach themselves to
him who is disposed to abolish all distinctions in
society, such as wealth and place confer. With
knowledge of these facts, (fllia to every states
man IN Europe) L will venture to predict, c your
PRESIDENT lives and enjoys health five years longer
mat TINS Government to be a Republic
and after the shock eff Revolution is ovor will
settle down into much moro rational state of soci-
ETY.. Your people arc too greedy in pursuit of of
nee, and too poor to resist its tempt atoms
wishing you bettcr state of things I am
gentlemen, AN ENGLISHMAN.