Litchfield enquirer., 1835-04-23

Extract from the speech of Mr. WEBsrER, on the Appoiating and Removing Power, de- livered i0 the Senate, on the 18th of Februa. ", on the passage ofthe bill entitled " an scl 10 repeal the first and sec0Od sections Of the act.t0 limit the term of service of certain off cers therein named"
 Mr. WEBSTER said, the professed object ol this bill was the reduction of F. xecutive infu. ence and patronage. concur, said Mir. w. in the propristy of inst object. Having nu wish to diminish Or fo control. in the slightest degree,tte constitutional and lesnl authority ol the Presidential office. yet think that the in. direct. and vastly increasing influence which it possesses, and which arises from the power of besfOwing oticc,. and of taking it away again , as pleasure, and from the manner in which that power seems now to he systematically exercised. is productive of seriails evils. ~.
 The extent of the patronage spsioging frOR this power of appointment and removal. is SO great, that Il brings dangerous mass of pri- sata and personal interest into operation in all great public elections and public questions. This is mischief which has reached. already, m alarming height. The principle of repub- lican government, we are taught, is public virtue; and, whatever tends either to corrupt this principle, tO dehase if, or to weaken its force. tends, in the same degree, to the final overthrow of such governments. Our repre- tentative systems suppose. that in exercising inc high right of suffrage, the greatest of all political rights, and in forming opinions on great public measures, men will act conscien. i;Ously. under the influence of public princi. pie, and patriotic duty; and that. in suppor- ting ar opposing men or measures, there will he d general prev valence of honest, intelligent Judgment, and manly independence. These ah .l,as. R Ill of maintaining governments entirely popular. Whenever personal. individual. ar selfish mo- tiyes influence the conduct of Individuals on public questions. they affect the safety of the whole system. When these motives run deep and wide. and come in serious conflict with higher, purer. and more patriotic pur- poses, they greatly endanger that system !: and all will admit that. if their extent become general and overwhelming. SO that all public principle is lost sight of, and every election he- comes mere scramble for office, the system Inevitably, must fa!t. Every wise man. in and out of Government. will endeav0r, therefore, to promote the asce6daRcy of public virtue, and puhEc prjacipsef and to,restrain. as far as practicable, in the actual operation of our in- s,ituGohs, the influence Of selfish and private interests.
 TconcIr sSith those who think that. look. ing 10 thelreseRt, and looking also to the fti- 1sre, and rsgarding aH she probabilities of what is- before rus. aa te the qualities which shall ,helonE't to thsNe who! may All the Exec sitiye Chair. is isiup Qrtant to the stability of Goyernment, and the NSellMre of the PeOpis. ihat there sironl,ts Ass . che st to the progress oE oiiicial iAiiicncR and patronage. The un- limited power to gfaOt office, anu t0 take a. way, gives caITimand over the hopes and fears 0f Il vast pul,itud4 of men. It 's gen. Ssssly- true that ha- whO controls anoshsI vnan's tpeMDs of lixiDg. contrOls his wit. Where ihsre are favors tO be granted. there are usually enough fa solicit for them and when tayors. once stsnted. may be with drawn Ut pleasure. there is ordinarily little e. curity far psrso1sl inhep-ndeace of character. The power of giving oiice thus aifscis the fears of all whO ara in. sud the hnpes of all who are out. Those who are out. -endeav. Or to distinguish th~msrlves by active Jlaliti. cal friendship. ny warm personal devotion, hy clamorous support of men in whose hands is the power of reward; while those who are jn. osdiaasily take care that. others shan nni !. surpass ihem in auch qlaliticP. or such con- dact, as are nsOst likely to secAre favOF. They resolve n0i to ba Ontdnne in any of the works nfpartisanship. The eonsvqu.nce of aN lhi. ls obsioUs.. 4 comPetition ensues, not ofpat