Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-17

reSentativc monarchy! ~, howcVeI,uh-
der government like ours, The gerry fJe
Of mhich depends, in some degree, upon
a judicious and safe ROTATION IN OFFICE
we are to practice upon these strange
notions il we are to be controlled in our
elections by these selfish principles; Why
then, indeed, MIR. Durfee might claim TO
be rc-elected 10 Congress for half Il CEN
foy TO come ;-and what would the State
do "whcn he shall have paid the debt Of
nature, ,"-and o,er his grave "high pos
thumous honors shall lightly hover"-I
Mr.. Durfcc is altogether incorrect in
this favorite position Of his, as appears
by the opinions and advice Of the sound
est political philosophers Of This or any
past age. II must he within the recol-
lection of every one, that MIR. Jefferson
in touching upon the principles growing
out of Mr.. Durlee's hypothesis, said
"that among those who held Offices, al
though he was glad there were but few
deaths, yet he had 10 regret that there
were no resignations-No ROTATION IN
OFFICE"
We presume that in the somerset
Pearce made four years ago, from Ma
tional Republicanism to Jacksonism, he
remained unchanged in his opinions on
the subject Of "rOtation in cfice"-for it
is we'll known that the great leader Of
modern democracy, or loco-focoism, Gen.
Jackson) worked himself into power, by
the aid of this favorite doctrine.-And
there is no slave among the whole clan
Of loco-focos, who yields more ready
and servile adherence to all Jackson's
dishonest, disorganixing, radical views,
than this same Duiee j. Pearce. Hear
what Jackson says in the following ex-
tract from his first message to Congress,
in 1929 which document was highly COM
mended for the soundness Of the doc
trines it inculcated.
"There arc perhaps few men who can, for
any great length Of time, enjoy Office and
4power, without being more or lees under the
influence Of feelings unfavorable to faithful
discharge of their public duties. Their in.
tegrity may be proof against improper con-
siderations Immediately addressed to them
selves, but they are apt to acquire habit Of
looking with indifference upon the public in
terests, and Of tolerating conduct from which
an unpracticed man would revolt. Office isI
considered as species of property and Co
vernment, rather as means Of promoting in
dlvidual interests, than as an instrument cre-
ated solely for the service Of the People
Corruption in some, and, in others, a perver-
sion Of correct feelings and principles, divert
Government from its legitimate ends, and
make it an engine for the support Of the few
at the expense of the many. The duties of
all public officers are, or, at least ad. Of being
maiie, so plain and simple, that men Of inteiti-
gence may readily qualify themselves for their
performance and cannot but believe that more
is lost by the long continuance Of men IN office
tho" is generalyto Be gained by their erPer,
Offices are created solely for the benefit Of
the people, no one man has amy more intrinsic
right 10 official station than another. Offices
,cere not established TO giue support to particu.
Tar men at the public expense. No individual
sOrong Is therefore done by removal. since the
appointment TO, nor continuance IN otfce,is mat
icer with view to public benefits and when
sacrificed to private interests. =,
He who is r, moved has the same means Of
obtaining a living that are enjoyed by the
millions who never held office-and although
individual distress may be sometimes produc-
ed, it would, by promoting that rotation Which
constitutes leading principle in the republican
creed, giue heaithfid action to the sysiem."
Now we appeal to every candid man,
to whatever party he may belong, and
say that If there was ever one position ta-,
ken by Pearcs during his public life, in
which he is bound to be consistent, and
to which he ought now to adhere, with
out any shrinking, this is the one. Judge
Durfee was in Congress but FOUR YEARS
his private and public life was wholly
unexceptionable. More than that-the
manner in which he discharged his pub
lie duties was highly satisfactory to all
parties.-The private interest also Of all
his constituents was attended to with as
much promptness and efficiency, rs ever
Mr.. Pearce bestowed upon the reasona-
BILE private applications Of his constituents.
Judge Durfee introduced bill to erect
Custom House in this town, and would
have carried it through to successful
termination, If he had been reelected.
1t is true he did not lend his aid to plum
der the general government for sLs pur.
pose Of establishing unnecessary post