Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-04-18

sonaict with the independent exercise of the
right Of suffrage. we equally deprecste those
unjust restraints upon the Office holders
which denies 10 them tho free
exercise Of that inestimable privilege Free.
dom Of opinion 10 one VI the dearest birlhriyhts
Of an American citizen ,ot which no cannot be
ss condition Of holding Office,
most fragrant exhibition ofdespo>
tic power. the President has recently
removed from Office indiv iduais, against
whom, he admits, there are no impu,ations
Of personal dishonor or Of vfficial deiinqueu-
when respectfully interrogaied as
10 the reason Of their removal, the reply was,
that cit is part OF system, Of which they
are not the only victims" Upon what
principle this system is based, the public are
not apprized; but referring to those to whom
it has been thus far applied, il rests upon
the arbitrary rule Of non-conio rmity ofopin.
ion, on tho part OF the dismissed officers w ith
the official standard! And 1t is worthy Of
special remark, tina. some Of the most prom
insnt OF the officers recently prescribed.
have been, until within very brief period
ardent friends OF the Administrations, and
How differ from il only as to the expectancy
Of adopting its new system of finance, which
although it 10 said 10 be of a subordinate
character, 10 clearly made test of orthodox>
y, and will, undoubtedly, govern tho Adj.
Ininistraiion in it's future appointments.
One feature Of this newly revived pro-
scrip:ive policy is we'll calculated to excite
the spprehensions of the sober and reflscting
portion of the community, by it's striking
resemblance 10 the course pursued during
tho reign OF blood and terror in Franco
when the government Of the couatry was a
mere instrument in the hands Of the Jaco>
bin Clubs, whose DEGREES of vengeancs a.
gainst obnoxious individuals it had neither
the courage nor tho power, II il had the will,
90 resist. A depuiation from Polhica
Club. organized in Baltimore, lately waited
ON the President, 10 demand the removal OF
Mr.. Skinner, tho Postmaster of that City,
and the appointment of MIR. Joshua Vansan
10 tho vncated Office; and the reason assign.
ed IL, not that Mr.. Skinner has not faith
fully performed his duties as a public ser.
want, but that he is tainted with Cons erpa.
tisns, and will not pledge himself TO "snk Or
swim" with Mr.. Van Buren,! Ifthis at
tempt TO control Executive action by orga
nized clubs shall succeed, and become a
part OF that system Of political machinery
by which the party in power hopes 10 main
tain its asceudcncy, il will not be long be-
lore we shall see them springing up ia eve
ry town and village Throughout the Union
and hunting down, with the relcntness ven
geance Of party intolerance, every indepen
deat man ic every community, and causing
the Offices Of tho country, from The mosI
elevated and responsible, 10 the most ins,g.
ujficant, TO be filled with the tame and ser
viio Instruments ofpower. II will be- an e.
vii day for the country, pretending the hea
West calamities. If this powerful, and, when
organized, resis,iess mobocrat influence
shall be brought effsctually TO bear upon and
70 control the decisions OF the Executive, in
the dispeneaiion Of ils patronage.
There are other prominent incidents IL
The history of this Administration, az ~ ell, a
in that Of its Immediate predecessor, which
still more conclusiyely, if possible, demon
straie how little confidence ought 10 90 re-
posed 10 the professions Of the Chief Magis
trate, and how widely variant are his ptin
cipiss from those OF the old Virginia School
al the head oil which he is placed by his par
t!zans.
The first Of these is the strenuous effort O
the dominant party TO shield Executive off
Gers from just accountability to the people,
Representatives,. The ground assumed b.
Gea. jackson, in lis letter to Henry A
Wise, Esq. is, that the people through thei
Representatives., have no right " ilh Or with
out suspicion of manifold corfupions ant
breaches of trust" in the various Executive
Departments. 10 make cali upon The head.
OF those Departments for such information
as may lead TO the development Of their guilt
that unless specific act of corruption OF
crime be charged, il is "ilegal and uncon
stitutionaP' to call tor information; and tina
j, is the duty Of lhe Executive officers, j
thus called upon, 10 "repel all such attempt
as AZ invasion Of the principles Of justice a
we'll as OF the Constitution" Is this the
Republican doctrine of Jefferson aud Madi
son! Is it not, on the other hand, entirel,
inconsistent with the principles and practice
OF the Republican party, at all times; on
of the fundamental articles of its creed be
log, the rigid accountability OF public off
cers!" Is not this Accountability merel,
nominal, il abuses supposed 10 exist ARE 10 b
specifically designated, before The Offices ar
examined, in which alone the evidence Z
these abuses is to be iound3 Every ofIicia
delinquent, il is apparent, whom the Execu
tive may desire 10 screen, will, under such
restriction upon the right Of enquiry, escap
with irDpuniiy-for in what manner can
specific charge OF guilt be made, prior t.
that scrutiny which is necessary to ascertai,
The fac. Of its existence?
OF kindred character is The complaint O
President Van Buren,, in his last message q
Congress, that The P. NJ. Genera! had beel
compelled, blythe common law writ OF man
dsmus," which be ad.nhs is "applica5le 4
ell other citizens" 10 comply with the judg
men, OF the Circuit Court OF the District o
Columbia founded upon an award of the So
iCitor General, made in compliance with al
act OF Congress, and his recommendation
that law be passed exemWing bereafte
The Executive Officers from tho operation 0
This process. This incident is odyer,ed to