Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-10
s'GaEE2EAH.
From the Cincinnati Gazette

| forth the rcprobation that such a sentiment do,
| serves Ihis there are too much reason to fea r,
proceeds from tho fact, that its application has be-
come not only familiar, but acceptable, to a large
portion OF our politicians. more dabol,cal aud
ocSolating doctrine, cannot become prevalent in a
| free country.
In emp. Dying the term "SPOILS." Mr.. Marcy
expressed his notions upon the subject, most dis.
tinctly and forcby. Tokn Webstcrs definitions
81. That which is taken from Others by violence:
particularly in war, the plundcr taken from an enc :
| my: pillagc: booty.
80 That which is gained by strength or eff
| fort.
81. That which is taken from another without
| license.
sd. The act or practice of plundering, robbery,
waste
90. Corruption: causes Of corruption.
10. Inc slough, or cast skin of serpent or
other animal"
The doctrine assumes that different parties in
matters OF government, are public enemies: it fur
ther assumes, that the distribution and possession
OF the public offices, and not the pubic good, is
the object for which all parties alike contend. Is
this truc! 1t it is is not Marcy the first public
man that burst avow it? He is an adept in the
Van Buren, school of politics: the avowal was made
IN defence OF the great chief and leader of tina,
school; 1t is asserted leading tenet, as one
upon which they mean still to act. Before the
people sanction this doctrine, by besowing their
confidence upon It's romulgators, ought they not
10 examine well lis foundation and its tendency:
its moral fitness, its bearings upon our public ins-
tutions, and social relations? ask attention to
brief notice of these matters.
1t is said that party divisions are unavoidable
and even desirable in free government. Perhaps
both these positions correct, and why2 The
first results from freedom of opini on, and the ma
tural diversity OF mems minds, and modes ofthink-
ing: the second supposes, that party contests tend
to keep men on the alert, i'll public affairs, to stnu.
late to iaudabe ambition and to prevent public
abuses, bya constant and watchlul scrutiny OF the
public conduct OF those in official enployment.-
These assumptions, neither of them, sin-d uI.or
the proposition, that either of the parties to be
esteemed public enemies, to be treated : such,
III cases of party defcat.--1hev are elevated far
above doctrine so base and grovelling.
In the party contests of our Union, no party
ever hoiSted Standard and embazuncd upon it,
"boOty and beaMty," the "SpoiiS If cictOry." An
attempt in plain terms, to rally associates and OBJ
tain assistance, with single view to the public
Offices, would be received with general Indignation
by all parties. Yet according to Mr.. Marcy, in
New York, this is understood to be the great oh.
jcct of all. If this be the truth, then the avowcd
ground OF political difference, is a deceptive sys.
tenn OF false prctenccs.
The party contests, from 1896 10 1900, with re-
spcct to the administration OF the National Co
vernment, were based upon different notions OF the
administration of that government. The success
full party, upon obtaining possession of the Govern
ment, aScertainod, that, substantially, it must be
administered they found it. They did not con-
slider the Offices the "Sp0iis of VictOry." They
did not regard those who in Office $ traitors
to the country, to he punished by coniiscation.-
True, they did not bcstow public employ npon those
mo opposed and condemned them and in the pro-
gress OF twenty years party contests disappeared,
thus cvinclng that the government administer.
ed upon right principles because it had promoted
unity in public sentiment, harmony in public coun-
ellis, and prosperity in public affairs.
When Mr.. Adams became President, 1925, his
administration did not consider and treat tine pub
lie Offices as the 'SPOiIS Of Victory He and his
cabinet did not hold that those who abored to drire
them from public empioy ought for that exercise of
the privilege of freemen, to be punished as crimi-
nails by derri0ing them If P"blic emPioy, where en-
gagged in II. The opposes of Mr.. Adams and his
cauinct did not avow that their object was to OBJ
tain the public offices, and invite the pc Ope aid
them in that object. The alleged grounds of OPP
position were all Of pubic character.
| Let the subject be fairly presented Suppose if
had been distinctly made known and proclaimed 90
| the people of Ohio, that the great object of the
| contest was to make "a SPOIL" of the public Off
crs within that State. For instance, to make John
w. Campbell, District Judge; John Patterson, MAJ.
shall Samuel Hcrrick District Attorney; VIM. Ly.
tie, Surveyor Gcncral John McIlvaiuc, Indian
Agent; Allan Latham, Surveyor of tho Virginia
! Military Lands John Hamm and Ethan Allcr
| Brown, Charges; elijah Hayward, Commissioner
of the General Land Offices: to give land Offices
| to L1rwCil, Gardiner, Dawson and Skinner, anC
to give Post Offices TO certain gentlemen who hay,
| obtained them, would the people have engaged in
i the contcsll With such an object avowed, coult
| zen. Jackson nave obtained lha vote OF OhlO!-
| No man in his senses suppose Apply the
! same enquiry TO New Hampshire, New i Urk, New
Jersey, PENNSYLVANIA, Kentucky Indiana, Illinois,
| Missouri. and doubt not the answer would be the
! same. Pubic sentiment would rcprobatc MIR. Mar
cy's doctrine, if distinctly expressed; but cloak il
with professions OF public good, and good mon are
cheated to sustain it, they know not why.
| In contest for principle the most honorable
and high-mirdcd mcn cuLIgc. l! they believe an
administration has been formed upon basis thd
tends TO introduce dangerous precedent, they cx
crt themselves 30 PROSTATE it, upon that Gistiuc
ground, that is fall may admOulsh others TO ayo
the errors Of it's formation. This ELECTED, the
direct their efforts TO the promotion oG the genera
welfare, 10y healing divisions, and correcting alru
scs. The idea OF personal reward, never enter
their mind. They would resent, an iutuit,
suggestion tndt tncy had been operated upon l.
Prly0tc views. They would irOwn indignant
from their presence. any who so poor /
spirit as TO intimate chat what hc had done, ayov
eddy from public motives, looked in reality TO
mcrcCnary rCco,GpcusC. Ilc who should approve
them with claim for reward, and intimatiQ
that faithful public servant should be dcS}oiic
Of office, that the spoil might be cOnierrc
= upon him, vOuld be secuted, proposing nj
tdge, PiVU'cr, aud yObjery, TO collect "b0Oty" {,
. himself. Not so with those, who consider Il
contests Of party, ~ the warirce Of foes TO he q
. tended by coufiscations for 'SPOIL" arainst tho.
q who are defeated. Actuated by mcrccnary ar
selfish motives, they know nothing of public spri
or of generous feeling: but become cruel, fcrc
and reckless Of every interest but their own. n
j is the direct tendency Of the doctrine, and EN-