Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-03-05

Eatt0ns OF Americans. tuAH l0dt OF the lie
port upon executive Patronage, of which
we copy the National Intellisencer's out
line. AIr Calhoun has done what should
prove intellectually serviceable 10 the coun
try, in exploring and exhibiting the ex
tent and influences of the Presidential
power. The functions OF the President,
as assigned and defined in the Consiitu,
Z ton, may be termed official duiy-exaIted
and arduous; his patronage is personal
pojcer, and in its present amplitude and
use. a degree and kind of power largely
inosdinate and incongruous with reference
TO the Republican genius and design OF
our system. No constitutional or limited
monarch of Europe possesses or directly
exercises so much.
Thus, what with excessive pretensions
TO constitutional prerogaive. abuse OF
abstract official right, and diffnsive per-
sonal popularity. the present Chief Magis-
trate Of eur Republic or Democracy, has
at least as much direct sway and actual
privilege or sovereignty, as any head OF
any Of the absolute governments, so called
Of The European continent. The general
effect throughout the Uaion is, reference
10 him, the President, Of all the hopes and
fears which are connected with the pos.
session or pursuit Of place and pelf: aud
further, servile, unlimited man tcofship
that glories in lis universal devotedness:
that represents the IDOL as impcccahle. in
fallihle and invulnerabe BY The special In
te1position Of Dieine Provi9sace, that ex
tends itself 10 all his personal favorites,
chief supporters and higher ministers
and that gradually supeFsedes every where
the public virtue and spirit Of independ
ence which have been deemed by political
philosophers Of both the ancient and mo-
dern world, essential to truly Republican
order Of things.
We see among the fruits Of this potcer
the success of the most unworthy in the
trade of politics the aseendaucy of mer.
eeaary latercrs or coarse revaers accord
ing to special objects and the impanity Of
the worst corrupiions, in the adminIstra
ton of our general government There
is much already 10 warrant the appljca
ton TO our concerns Of Sir William Eom
pies remarks" Genius or public ability
in a nation rises or falls according to the
capacity and characters of the ministers
and rulers. For, il men see that the way
to rise IS by worth and virtuous qualities,
the genius Of nation viii run that Way,
and produce great subjects or citizens
But if they can hope 20 do it By vicious
humours, by llHlo arts, by warm pursuits
every man Of his own interests, the
whole spirit ru0s into those courses, and
perhaps the faster from the propension OF
our natures rather TO i'll than 10 good "
Certainly, Executive patronage has in
creased, is increasing, has been grossly
misused and ought to be diminished. No
matter by what means, from what sources
by whose agency, the manifold evil has
come; what share Congress or Mr. Cal
houn himself CHE sabterfuge Of The Gobe)
have had in producing il the real monster
is seen, stands unequvocal and confessed
and must be re duced and disabled, 10 save
our republican Institutions and morals
Not only must patronage be diminished,
but separated as far as possible from the
Executive person; the more it is divided
and rendered comparatively abstract, the
less eagerly win it be sought and the less
widely men or the man will be substituted
for duty, principle & the couutry as objects
Of coUrtship and devotion. Various objec-
tions might be urged TO the Committees
plan of a distribution Of the surplus reye-
nue. among the several States and Terrific
ries, including The District OF Columbia.
Ii would augment the power or influence
OF the general government; though Con
gress should make the distribution, the in
flueuce Of the Executive over Congress
might be so great as to render ii in fact an
Executive privilege; the surplus revenue
might become an occasion Of mischievous
intrigue. competition SC. lf this expedi
ent should be adopted, it would, perhaps,
be best TO impose on each State and Ter
ritory, the obligation of applying funds TO
Internal improvements. On the supposl-
ton that war with France will soon hap
pen or impend FOR some time, the ques
lion of surplus revenue takes an aspect
quite different. The exigencies Of war
would absorb all the excess above the
claims Of the civil list and ordinary appro.
priation biIls.-.Nat Gaz.