Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-10-20

ter to President Monroe, written Nov. lcl6,
he says, "Evcry thing depends upon the Sc
lection OF Your ministry" "Now is the tine
to exterminate that monster called party splr-
it," "7he ehitr magistrate of a great and poo-
erfM nation Should nerer indulge an party feel.
ings." And IN his inaugural address he EN-,
phatically deprecates and denounces such
practices, and solemnly promises "Me correc.
lion of those abuses that hare brought THE PA
TRONAGE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN
TO CONFLICT WITH THE FREEDOM OF ELEC-
TIoN."
And is it not General Jackson himself, and
he alone, who under the guidance Of Mr..
Van Buren,, has brought the patronage of the
Federal Government into conflict with the
freedom of elections? What, at this moment
as the Government of the United States? Is
il really Republican? or is it already quasi
.Arisiocracy? Have not the neic principles up
on which it is administered changed, radical
ly, it's character from wha il was IN the days
of Washington? Look, we pray you, look,
and see for Yourselves. OF all the officers
appointed by President Washington, IN the
first organization of the Government, and by
his immediate successor, President Albums, il
was only found necessary to make % remov-
ais in the space of 12years. The next Prcsl-
dent, Mr.. Jefferson, made but 36 in 3 years,
on account Of some of these removals, he eX-
pliritly disclaimed all right to the exercise Of
such power as has since been assumed. In
letter to his republican friend, Gov. Gerry,
he says "O0icers who have been guilty of
gross abuses of office shall now remove
The instances will be few, and governed by
strict rule, and not by party passion. The
right of opinion shall suffer no invasion from
me-tbose who have acted well have nothing
to fear, however they may have differed from
me in opinion" Mr.. Madison made but 5 re-
movals in 8 years Mr. Monroe adhered
faithfully to the resolution he had takcn land
which, as we have seen, was so highly ap-
proved of by Gen. Jackson at the timc,) of
being the Chief Magistrate of the nation, not
the head of faction. lie made but 9remov-
ais in years. The last Adams, and the last
OF the five Presidents of the school Of Wash
ineton and the Constitution, made no more
than 2 removals during his administration.
Thus in the whole period of AZ years, "a
removals only were made-being less than an
average of 9 to each year, and less by far
than one of thousand of the many thousands
Of officers appointed in that long space of
time. These facts prove clearly, that for 40
years, removals from Office were only made
when the public service required them. And
cers-so very few of whom, out of so many,
in So long period Of time, proved delinquent
or incompetent-the public service and inter
est alone were consulted. Thus, for 40 years
the wholesome guards and restraints of the
Constitution upon the dangerous powers of
the Executive were held sacred and were eff
fectual. At the end of that period, the A.
merican nation saw those guards and re-
stralnts ovcrleaped; and radical revolution
IN the principles and character of the Govern !
ment effected; not gradually, but instantane-
onsly. Then new system of Executive
Government, calculated and intended to en-
gross the whole powers of Government. Leg
slative as well as Executive, was introduced;
and new tenure of office established by
which personal adherence and political SER
vice to the head Of the party were required
as the indispensable requisites. The public
officers were no longer allowed to consider
themselves the officers Of the law, or as the
servants of the people. Mr.. Jciferson's rule
was-"Is he honest Is he capable, is he faith
iul to the Constitution" This truly republi-
can rule was wholly discarded, and now the
rule was--"Is he faithful TO the chief will he
make an active, jealous and useful partizan'"
Mr.. Van Buren,, who was himself the author
OF this servile creed, was among the first to
promulgate, and encourage the adoption of ii.
IL was glory enough for him, he said, to have
serred uner such chez Ii was not has
country that he served or thought of.
The new scheme of Executive Government
was speedily put into operation. All public
officers who, having sworn fidelity to the
Constitution, could not console ntously, trans
ter their allegiance from their country TO a
chie/, were dismissed. by thousands: no mat
ter how honest, capable and faithful to the
Constitution; or how valuable their services
to the country. And those only were put in
to their places who were ready to bind them
selves Internationally to the political servl-
tude required of them. The character and
actions of body of servants so created, and
1.-The uses made of them, could not have been
mistaken, even if we had not, for years, wit
messed their operations. We all know that,
in all political questions; in all elections, not
only of members to Congress, but in all State
and Town elections, of members of the Leg
islature and Town Officers down to the low
est, they act and vote in body, as one man.
and as they are required to d.. 1t has trans
pred even in the Halls of Congress, that
these officers are required, not only TO vote
themselves, but to contribute their money at
elections; and to coerce their relations to vote
with them as the price Of their Offices. 1t has
transpired, also that secret committees arc es.
tabished every where, whose province and
powers appear 10 be similar to those Of the
commissioners who attended the French ar
mics as secret fnquisitors, in the most law
less period of their Revolution. From what
source these secret committees derive their
authority we know not; but it seems to be
their office to watch over train and discipline
the official companies within their respective
districts; to see that they all attend the polls
punctually, and perform those political duties
faithfully. They are understood 10 have the
disposal of all the minor Offices such as those
Of inspectors, weighers and puaoers. clerks.