Liberty advocate., 1839-05-30
From the New Orleans Bee.
Our democratic Administration.

il Our UemOCraL1C kAuAINA"
| We have propounded the query, what nus
Mr.. Van Buren, accomplished 10 entlte MIN &c
the support of The people Cor u second rres'den
tiaI term, and it needs but cursory rehec!ion
to furnish a reply. Nothing-iterally no'hlng
His administration so far, is without slng'e
evidence Of high capacity, exalted PATRIOTISM
or profound craftsmanship. The executive
seems 10 remain contented with the possession
Of power, without attempting to render himself
worthy Of its continuance. lie is satisnec -
float lazily on the stagnant waters oi po'i''ca'
insignfcance. He makes no attempt whaIev-
er to better the existing state or things Ne'-
ther in our domestic or foreign relations uoeS
he dispaythe resources ofa ready and vigorous
mind, of an observant and acute lntellIgehce'-
For the financial difficulties which lately over
spread the country, he had but one remedy, and
that so uncertain and inefficient, that IT was re-
jected by majority which derived It's force
from the accession Of many of his own person
al and political friends. The Florida war is as
far from a definite termination as ever
Scarcely week elapseS, but we hear q new
murders and massacres. Mr.. Van Buren, ap-
pears to consider himselfin the light OF a mere
instrument ofthe late executve-what he fail
ed to ad, 'eve, our present chleGmagStrale does
not dare to attempt
If Mr., Van Buren were an able and efficient
President, and there were no other reason for
his expulsion from office, than is to be found in
the dreadful state Of public probty, which has
been developed during the last year Of his ad-
mnisiration, the reason should convince the re.
fecting ofaIl parties, that changeis is necessa-
ry. The perfdy, profllgacy and contempt of
every honest impulse manifested in many of
the departments of the genera government are
such as absolutely to shock the moral sense oil
the nation. Official honesty seems stale and
worn out jest-men appear placed in office for
no other purpose than to plunder the public
purse--office holders with their Briarem hands,
are ready in hundred different quarters, to
iIch the boards ofthe treasury, while those who
ike the many eyed Argus, should vgiIantiy
guard the public wealth, either slumber at their
posts, or wanonly connive at pecuation.--
Look at the Swartwouts, the Prices, IIarring-
ons, Harrses, Boyds and others of the deraul-
ing tribe, and let us ask, what does an admin
stratlon merit that recklessIy suffers millions
be traudulently distracted, and permits the
perpetrators of these thelts to escape pursuit
md scott at retributon! Was this vile, this des-
'erate system,-this defiance of the code of eth
cs, and the other standard Of morality, ever be-
eId under any other administration? Was it
Witnessed during the presidential terms of
Washington, the Adamses, Jefferson, Madison
r Monroe? Would it have received u mo-
nenrs indulgence, or would single partisan
ress, however unqualified and unquestioning
Il its character, dared to have vindicated an ad !
marked by such fagitious profit
acy? Does not every one recall the memo
able case of DR.. Watkins, the solitary defauIter
uring the executive term Of John Q. Adams.
nd can we forget the shouts ofexecration, raj
ed by the whole democratic press at the wick.
dness ofan administration that could appoint to
ffice dishonest mani
Upon whom should the responsibility ofthese
srrible Lclnquencies fall, ifnot upon the ad-
Who holds the plenary power of
ppointment and dismissal? Who has exerc-
ed it with strictness Of party favor never be-
ore employed? And to what cause can it bel
DIRECTLY traced, save to the odious and heart
sss system of prescription, by which the hon.
st functionay has been 'isplaced, to make roomI
oT inc ShaIileleSS parusah the lonS trleu and
yell approved public servant dismissed to indi
ence in order to reward the "active services
f some unconditional supporter Of the admins
ration. There is not single department of
he government that is not rotten to the core
hat does not require thorough publication,
nd radical reform, and this will never be ac-
omplished until the miserable clique which at
resent misgoverns the country, prostratingI
er energies, and tacitly encouraging the per
erse and abandonment of every principle ofI
moral honesty shall be divested of power,
has so long prosti,uted to the worst of pur.
oSes