Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-06-20

al Government, in that State, writes as fol
lows:
zone thing will say, that as TO the future
with elections, whether OF The
Estate or General Government, by officers OF the
latter should be deemed cause of removal; be
cause the constitutional remedy by the elective
principles becomes nothing, lift may be smoth
cred by the enormous patronage ofthe Gener
al Government"
This letter was written in February, 1910, q
short time before he entered on the duties OF the
Presidency, and as soon as he was inaugurated
he caused a circular to be addressed by the diff
ferent heads Of Departments, TO all officers un'
der their CONTROL in which we find the follow
ing strong and emphatic language:
"The President Of the United States has
seen with dissatisfaction, officers of the Gener-
al Government taking on various occasions, ac-
tive parts in elections of the public tunctuarcs,
whether of the General or State Governments.
Freedom Of elections being essential TO the mu-
tual independence of governments and Of the
different branches Of the same government, so
vitality cherished by most of our constitutions,
it is deemed improper for officers depending
on the Executive of the Union, 10 ATTEMPT to
control or influence the free exercise OF the
elective right. This, am instructed, there
fore, to notify to all officers within my depart
|ment, blding their appointments under the
authority of the President directly, and TO de-
sire them to notify to all subordinate to them
The right of any officer to give his vote al cleo
tions as a qualified citizen, is not meant to be
restrained, nor, however given, shall il have
any effect to his prejudice; but, it is expected
that he will not attempt to influence the votes Of
others, nor take any part in the business Of,
eleclioneering, that being deemed inconsistent
with the spirit of the Constitution, and his du-
ties to it."
This is the true republican doctrine
What is the doctrine ofthe administration par
ty. as openly advanced in Congress, and I'M
bushingly practiced throughout the whole
country! 1t is, that the "intermeddling by
office, holders in elections" and their endeavor
$40 control the voters by persuasion or dissua-
sion is not only innocent and lawful but patri-
otto and praiseworthy." They not only allow
the things which Jefferson condemned and pro-
hibited, but they enjoin them as duty, from
which their partisans 'are not allowed to with
draw Themselves upon pain of being regarded
as ''inamous" And yet, these are the men
who have the assurance to set themselves up
as the followers Of Jefferson, and to denounce
as Fedoralists, all those who refuse to subscribe
10 their hateful principles. We had "rather
be toad and live upon the vapors of a dun,
geon," than to dishonor the noble nature
of man by the practice ofsuch rank hypocrcy
and deception.
We warn our fellow citizens against such
holow-hearted pretenders to repubcanism,
and urge them to remember the great truth in
sisted on by Mr.. Jefferson, that it is not only
improper for the officers dependingon the Elk.
ecutive will, 10 attempt to control or influence
the free exercise of the elective right, but that
the "electiUe principle becomes nothing, if ii
may be smothered bytheienOrmous patronage othe
General Government"