The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-26
MR.. CRITTENpEN,s BILL.

with fidelity ard zeal.--ADany Eee. Journal
Mr.. CRITTENDEN'S BILL
Some of the Spells members Of the Legislature
have already threatened with much flourish ard
Boosting, that in the coming discussion, they will
Investigate the principles OF the :" Gag Bill" and
make the Wings wish the term e1punged from the
language! All, will you, gentlemen And we pre-
sumo you also intend 10 make the ghost of the i'm
mortal JEFFERSON shrink back In shame, because
the great author of the Declaration of independence
had The nerve, the honesty, and uprightness, when
President, 10 apply the Gag" TO the Federal office.
holders, by expressly foIbidding their interfering
with, and controlling the elecions! We presume
you will also make Ex-President Jackson ashamed
for having been SO much Of MonarchiSt and Fee
deralist as 10 proclaim, when first made President
that ne would correct those abuses which had brought
the patronage Of The Federal Government into con-
aict with the freedom of electioas And no doubt
you will make Attorney General Grundy ashamed
too for having been so much OF Monarchst and
Federaist in 1884, as to deliver such sentiments as
the following on the floor OF the United States Sc
nate. ..,e ......
81 concur, (said Mr.. Grundy) entirely with Mr.
Jefferson 10 his sentiments as what should be the
conduct Of Federal officers in relation 10 the politics
OF the country. That enlightened statesman was Of
opinion that It was highly cupabIe in Federal Off
GERS To interfere in the business Of electioneerng
!" In support OF the opinion entertain Continued
Mr. Grundy) will refer 10 another high authority.
The present Chief Magistrate, in his Inaugural Ad-
dress, when speaking of executive duties which de-
manded particular attention, refers directly TO the
correction Of those abuses which have brought the
patronage of the Federal Government into conflict
with the freedom of elections Strengthened as
am BY these expressions OF opinion, feel the less
hesitation in saying, that every officer OF The Fede
raj Government is entitled to free and unnerrupt-
ed right of suffrage, and should not be disturbed in
The exercise OF it, int tchet they become partizanS in
elections, and attempt 10 control The eectre franchise
in others, THEY SHOULD BE DISMISSED
FROM PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT; and SHOULD
BE GRATrIED to see this principle acted out to lis
fullest entiwheiher the officer thus engaged act
with or against the party TO which belong. WHEN
SEE AN OFFICE HOLDER INTERFERING
IN ELECTIONS, THE FIRST IDEA THAT
STRIKES ME is, THAT HE is THINKING
OF HIS OFFICE AND HIS BREAD; AND
THEREFORE AN UNFIT ADVISER OF
THOSE WHOSE ONLY OBJECT is THE
PUBLIC GOOD"
And Mr. Postmaster General Kendall, you will
shame too, Of course, difficult as the matter may be,
for having proclaimed, when he entered the Fourth
AUDITORS Office, that thenceforward no "babbli6g
politicians" would find resting place in that De-
partment .
But above all these, master spirit of the Revolu.
ton, the immortal PATRICK Henry is to be set down
and his memory ridicued, as belonging TO the Mo-
narchical or Federal school, for having expressed
himself in the Virginia Convention, on the>adoption
of The Constitution, as follows:
al object (said Mr.. Henry against the immense
patronage OF the Presidentbecause places in his
hands the means of corruption, and OF distributing
throughout the country band of retaners in the
shape of Judges, Revenue officers and others, which
render him irresistible in any scheme OF ambition
that he might mediate against the liberties OF the
country"
al object to the whole gang of Federal officers
Gentlemen, depend upon it, this pow
er may work sorely on your neck
These Monarchical and Federal authorities are,
of course TO be all set aside and put TO very shame,
by the Democratic orators of TennesseeS present
Legislature Who now that the Federal patronage
and the Federal office holders have doubled trebed,
guadruped, go heart and hand for the democracy OF
Mr.. Senator Walls Gan old blue light Federalist)
truly Democratic Report, which urges It upon the
Executives army OF Federal officers as their duty,
to interfere in elections
If ever there has been time when the people of
this country should put effectual stop to the cleo
tioneering of the Federal office holders and restrict
them to their legitimate duties, that time is now up
on us. If che rhoie gang 0f Federal 0bccrs" were
obnoxious in Patrick Henrys lime-if they requir
ed be expressly forbidden from meddling with or
interfering in elections in Jet1ersons tme-ii they
we're papably bringing the patronage OF the Fee
dera Government into conflict with the freedom. OF
elections" when Jackson inauguraed-it they
deserved the deep.mouhed denunciaons OF Mr.
Senator Grundy in 1884, which we extract from his
memorable speech of that occasion i If their num-
bers and elecioneering zeal have been, under the
past and present Administrations, tearfully and
aarmngly augmented, and their bold and reckless
interference in the freedom of elections not only APP
proved by the Federal Executive, but fully justified
by the Federal leaders of his party in the United
States Senate--we ask, is it not high time that the
People, through their Representatives in Congress,
take the matter firmly in hand, and show the Ex-
ecutive and his army Of Federal officers that they
can be suffered no longer to pursue their high hand.
ed and outrageous system of controlling and direct
ing the elections
The Sub Treasury" Nearly every thing is
now left 10 the discretion of the Secretary oil the
Treasury The power of the purse and the srord
In enncf nlaced In The hands OF The President -