Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-28
JUDGE MCLEAN.

u
=, ,a,,ar 1or,a;n,ny the sentiments OF our mutu-
Al friend. Hon JOHN McLEAN expressed 10 me
in .cop,essation as early as September, ioZ''I
7. 1897. believing that he was wrongtu'iy assam
ga I 81 rate tn him in such way as 10 OBTAIN MS
ssr,;ment, ON putllc affairs fully, without aPpr',
80, h,o IF nv object He came out boldly anu
Sranl /, IN the subject Finding that Judge NC,
lean - again assaiIed in the sane way, seho
,on ,be extract of the letter. The original may
he seen. and If required, will be deposited WIN
you. 6.,d If milf;
| feel no disposition to enter the he'o OF Po''u
cal strife; my feelings are aSerse 10 IT,
:, .Ssn AN enemu that was assaulted unjusuy, and
documept, were in my hands dispro'lns the char
COS would exhibit them for his acquittal
have onlv to add, that was warm supper
Ter Of Mr.. ] o. Adams administration, atu u"
NO, INV regret it, thiuklt will stand high IN
the estimation Of the present generation. we
must recur To many OF the leading measures "
that administration TO ensure the safety, haPpi'
ness. and prosperity Of the United States.
Win this view of the subject. give you the
extract, embracing nearly the ,cho!e fefte'; anu
this do from firm conviction OF duty, on nue.
penden, principles. Very respectfully, &c.
Ohio, .4ug. Is, 1855.
WAsHINoToN, Sept 18th, 1897.
NV DEAR SIR:-f have just received your
friendly letter, aud feel truly thankful, as shall
,Iways be. for your advice. NV position IS ia
ken. and will be. maintained. or l will fall IN the
,t,ewpt. II is one founded on the purest primer
Dles of patriotism, and essentially connected win
The hes, interests of the country. Has II, indeed
come to this, that the patronage OF the Govern
ment must be prostiiuted tor the personal ad'ah'
tsse Of individuals! r;,,.
Wb a,eyer NAV be the opinions Of individuals
in onposi,on, they have rights that shall be res
pected. and in my official character, whatever
NAV he their feelings towards nc presumably 1
will respect them. do not hold patronage Tor any
other purpose than 10 promote the general eo""'
There >hail be as little uf sehsnness IN my course
as possible:
ui>h YOU not to suppose that pursue course
in The prescott contest, which shall ho' IN 'otu'e
pu,,ue. Nv course has no reference 10 IN
dy,Juals Humble as ny ambitlon may be-
II i tuo loft, 20 render myself use,ul tn any IN
d,yidlual appropris,ng him. what properly be-
longs To the pabi,c Ma hfP thai sh,aa phf=
yate station aill berthe pus' OF honor.
NJ man has heard me express wish for the
election of General ia, kson, or that Mr. Adams
might tail. have done nothing TO emoarrass
the administration: but, on the contrary, nave
given il the most efficient support IN my Po"er.
BY an energetic discharge OF my pubic duties
Ideiend Mr.. Adams when hear him unjus'ly
asssiIed: do the same thing when General Jack.
son is abused 10 nv presence.
Nv policy Is truth, and fairness. and an ener-
yetic discharge Of nv duty. Let the administra-
ton be felt in benefits conferred, rather than IN
dinner speeche. II is my impression. that It
every officer of the Government had pursued the
course have, that the administration would have
been twice as strong. nearly. as it now is Rely
upon what say. that my course as The only enc
thu, will enable any administration in this coun.
try 20 triumph
lie the Officers ct Government must become
partzans. and it shall DE considered as part OF
their duty to use the inHueuce Of official stations,
and the patronage 10 their hands, 10 re.eect the
President, il will at once reduce this great con.
test into a personal scraWble tor Office, between
the cuts and the ms The officers will become
corrupt, because they will use the sacred trust
confided foe the public interest, to promote their
personal views-and the people will be corrupt
ed so lar as such an influence can extend: and, it
NAV be asked, who can limit this intiuencel-
But few ace proof asains, the temptations OF Of
fee.
MY impression is, that the public good is the
great obiect, to. attain which should be the first
and the last Of every officers exertons His pa
tronase should be dispensed With single eye TO
this object Then will the most virtuOus and me-
ritorious persons be called into the public service;
action will have no aiment on which 1t can feed,
and our Institutions will become what every
friend to his country desires 10 see them.
Were I at the head Of the Government, to re.
tam the favorof nv country, l should wish
Postmaster General to pursue, in every partlcu'
lar, the course that now do.
Some excuse may be wanting for loss of
popularity, and | may be assailed But shall
L.. ,laA h.
Of dettaction which now too much prevails, and
against the effects of which no man is safe.
Nv course s not influenced by calculation
Of interest--because, 1 am aware that the heat.
ed par,zans on both sides will not be pleased
with it; ontl am greatly disappointed in the
virtue and intelligence Of this people, if the
great mass Of them vii 10, approve Of it. Do
the people require that their public officers
should dictate 10 them in matter which belongs
exclusively to themselves! My opinion is. that
the peopleare fully competent to this business.
NV 5o mt renuire no oflt ,nus in Tor