The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-06

you done TO help the cause at an election " That
Is the whole duty Of patriot The language which
the candidate holds 70 him who represents the ma
esy OF The people and Is clothed In the awful ailr
butte OF supreme power, under the immense respon-
sibiliiy Il imposes, Is something like this" led
ten men 10 the polls, must be tde-water says
A. :" led up hundred" says B, . i demand high
place in the custom house. +" And l. says G, caused
many hundreds TO peIjure themselyes--to sustain
their souls with crime against God and man, "-"Be
thou jnsticep cries the eager executive" and
90 on in well doing"
MIR. Legare said he might push This subject great
deal further aud show the moral havoc which such
principle would necessarily work in society, but
he turned away with shame and disgust from the
revolving theme. But there was one consequence
OF II too important To be omitted Hitherto he had
spoken Of the effects OF the system on the character
The neniee Of course Of the department of public
affairs committed 10 his charge. There was another
aspect Of the subjects he meant the effect Of the
principle on the relation between the Executive and
its subordinates. That was just what arbitrary and
corrupt power always suffers from its instrument
This never fails. IL is the tyrant's doom all the
world round that he is the slave OF his Janissaries.
Does any man doubt this who has eyes TO see what
has been passing before them within the two tast
yeaIsl Did not the developments made 10 the House
during the last session, hssty and imperfect the
investigation necessarily was show that fact beyond
all doubt Had they not read the most extraordina-
~ correspondence Ina, bad ever been printed, be-
tween the held OF the Treasury and some Of his de-
fauers in ofRce3 'Will you be so good as 10
resign" says the Secretary in his most nofensive
manner. Faith, but will not" says the sturdy
demagogue. Then, give up the public money 2
don't do that either, and beware how you touch
me--we are strong; and we can shake your admi-
niiralion about your ears"
This had not been confined to obscure persons and
TO distant places. In tho city Of Washington ITSELF
in the face OF the whole nation, scene had occurred
which had attracted little attention, because The
supposed such things are becoming mere matters
of course. He meant what had taken place on the
appointment OF that very worthy gentleman, Mr..
Muhlenburg, 10 the place he now holds OF Minister
at Vienna. The present collector Of Philadelphia,
Mr.. Wolfe, was at that time filling the highly re-
sponsble and respectable office Of Comptroller of
the Treasury at the seat Of government He had
been a rival candidate with Mr. Muhienburg, for
the place Of Governor OF Pennsylvania When
therefore, the appointment of that gentleman Aus
tTia was announced, in the true spirit Of system
which teaches every popular leader of the day TO
gard the country and its government as his property
las mere spois-ihis gentleman is said to have re-
Sarded the nomination Of his late competitor TO
something higher than his own place, as injustice 10
himself He accordingly resented il in the proper sp
rit. Hefhrew up his commission of comptroller in
disgust, and was ready To retire TO the bosom Of that
people who, he seemed 10 think, would b. sure 10
make common cause with him for such personal
wrong, although neither he nor they had any other
fault to find with the administration being then as
they now are, Its most devoted supporters. Well,
what was the course of the Executive Did he say
10 the dignity OF the countrywide had dared on
personal ground ofhat kind, to infringe the liberty
of the Executive itself in the exercise Of its most I'M
doubled prerogatiye for high national purpose
did The President ie him in that language Of lofty
and severe, because well meried rebuke which such
prepostereus preenson on the part of any citizen
OF this country ought 10 call down upon his head
Go! BECOME! u there were no other reason for
dismSsing you, this is enough-go, and see whether
The people Of Pennsylvania are ready to IN Ike your
imaginary private griets ground of public war-I
shall defend the honor Of the government and fulfil
the duties OF my station al every hazard" No, gen.
tlemen, You know il was not so-you have all heard
that Mr.. Wolfe's demands were treated as quite rea
sonabe and that he is the collector
OF Philadelphia Of his own successor as comptroller
OF the treasury. II this is not history, let il be de-
niedif it is, what will postery say Of ii, and how
can the people Of this countryhow can you bear
il Z"
See Mr. Wrigh.s bill for The better keeping of the
public moneys