The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-08-29
F,ou, The National Iaseitigeneer.

isitude and ASCERTAIN hotc Jar the elements mH
dripea him from hes true course. Let as 'f''lrse
his prudence and 6efors float fdTtheI re'eF
TO tkeepoi,at from sphich departed, mar cf
mag be at least able 10 conjecture IrheTe ice
moe are"
In what latitude are we2 How far have
the stortas of party driven us from our 'rT I
course? How shall we regain 1t 10
satisfy ourselves on these points, we lase
advantage OF a momsntary pause III Tue
conflict OF political elements, to brief-
w review the history of the last three
wears; to trace the course OF our Ship OF
State, and ascertain the cause OF her having
not merely lost Roadway, but drifted astern, /
since she parted with her old and faithful
officers in the month OF March, one thou |
sand eight hundred and twenty-nine. At
ter ascertaining whether the fault be in the
Commander, or in the Ship-in OH HEX
OILY or in OLD lRoNsIDEs-we shall oe able
to determine, perhaps, which fthe two 1t
is proper TO leave out of commission.
Dropping here the language OF metaphor
we proceed in plain prose to execute the
duty, which seems to be demanded of us by
the near approach of general political
contest.
The election of Gen. jackson to the Pres
idency of the United States was effected
by political combination, first publicly an
nounced early in the year lS2I, but the eie-
meats OF which were discernble even be-
fore the commencement OF Mr.. Adams's
Administration, The Object ofthe co'nbln-
alton was to put down that Administration,
right or wrong. By some, more honest,
this object was manfully aVowed. But the
party, as a party, placed their hostility to
Mr.. Adams upon ostensible grounds of prn-
ciple. The points, however, upon which
they disseated from the course of his Ad-
min,s:ration were not always ineligible !;
and, when in a tangible shape, were not ca
sy receacha5le TO another. Indeed, the
leading members Of the Combination differ
ed so widely from one another, upon vari
Gus public questions. that they required the
profession Of no particular principles in the
candidate whom they undertook to place in
the Presidential chair. They made use Of
General Jackson. not because his principles
were known 10 differ from those Of the in
cumben,, or, much less, to harmonize with
their own, for that would have beea impos
sibie,l but because by success as Command
er in a single battle his name had become
familiar to the People. They ayaled them
selves of that passion for Heroes and that
admiration of Military exploits, which have
been the means of enslavlng other nations,
TO accomplish the political revolution which
they had projected. Relying upon the pop
ular deluslon 10 effect their object, they did
not even attempt to operate upon the reason
Of the People in favor Of the change, in any
other way than by general assertion of
lhe necessity Of REFoRM in the Govern
mcnt. The cabalistic word was the only
argument, which added in any material de-
gree 10 the weight of The sword which was
thrown with it into the scale, and turned
the balance against Mr.. Adams.
When the contest was ended, and Gen.
jackson known to be elected by decisive
majority Of the votes Of the Electors, there
was, we believe, very general disposition
to acqulesce IN the result. People were
willing 10 be persuaded that the General
would surround himself with able counsel
loTS, who would guide his steps, and restrain
~---ss~>s'tt = 30 >Gv$'r n t1yE-I ~ q
Mr.. Monroe were brought to view, and
his votes in Congress in favor of nation.
al interests recollected. His letter 10 the
legislature of Tennessee was also remem
bered, in which he reprohated the corrup
ton of members of Congress by appoint
ments 10 Ofhce, and gave very sufficient real
son to believe that he would serve the PEG
pie only for one term. Taking all these
we confess ourselves to have been among
the number-opposers of the election O
Gen. Jackson, who trusted, not however
without some misglving, that there would
be no occasion for an opposition to his Adj
mlnistration, now that he was constituted
Chief Magistrate. His Presidency was tc
be limited to single term, during which il
was hoped, anA partly believed, that he
WnUII to 81 IL.
Internal Improvement, and to the other gfea,
National Interests that he would be the
President ofthe Nation and not Of Party
that he would especially not suffer the "a.
tronage Of the President to be prostitutet
to the naked purpose ofrcwarding hi. friends
and Furnishing his enemies, as had been
threatened by some Of his Jealous partizans
Those who thus reasoned deeply iamented
the gross injustice done to the late Execu.
tive by the People. But the Peoples will
was done. They were the sovereign from
whose decision there was no appeal Re-
sentiment and resistance of it were equally
idle. The part Of wisdom for the defeated.
seemed 10 he to reconcile themselves as
well as they could to the actual state OF
things, for the present /; and, az 10 the ltl-
ture, to judge the Administration by its
measures. So at least we reasoned for our
selves.
The first alarm 10 the minds of those who
were thus disposed, was caused ~ the
troops of partizans from every quarter o.
the country, except the South, who preced-
ed or immediately followed the General TO
the seat Of Government, and settled around
him, busting and busy, as a swarm of bees
arouad its leader. Whatever intentions
the General had, if he bad any, to follow
out his own sketch of the character of
PatilotPresi1ent, as deineated for the bene-
mt OF Mr. Monroe, it was soon discovered,
would be over-ruled and controlled by those
around him. The doctrine was taught, md
most seduously ineulcated by the newest
converts, that in civil as well as military VIC
torres, the spoils ofthe enemy were The right
1ul prey Of the Yictors The first demon
s'ra'lon OF this poison having taken effect
r'qH the mind of Gen. Jackson, was the
removal from the head of the Post Office
Establishment Of the faithful and efficient
oihcer who had for several years presided
over II, with the avowed intention Of bring
ing It's patronage more directly within the
control Of the Executive. II was item seen
maj The thrent Of prescription was TO be mi
III l9rre: and accordingly the work began
ana many were its victims.
We pass by the appointment of his Cali
net ministers; because in the selection of
thGse eontdeniial officers we would always
IN q srD