Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-31
THE OFFICE-HOLDERS

Mr.. Van Ness, in late speech, proclaimed it
as one of the principal objects of his mission
round the state, to "protcct the democracy against
the assaults OF iederalism"-and most CALAMITY
did he come up to the rescue of the Office holders
on Saturday evening. lie gave the dying"
wings a sound drubbnr for worrying these per-
secuted nnocents,-ridiculcd the idea that they
were not to interfere in elections, and insisted
that, undc. proper restrictions, Office sc@filg was
Q very laudablc vocation lie Colld perceive
no distinction between state and federal officers,
and protested against "tl.is senseless clamor
about office holders" Mr.. JEFFERsoN, it seems
however, was OF different opinion and as Mr..
Van Ness processes to be a disciple Of this great
man, we would direct bis attention to the follow
ing exposition Of the republican doctrine on this
subject. We copy it from the Sentinel Of 1928
period at which NJ. V. N. had something more
than general supervision over the editorial
columns Of that paper, and be arg, possibly, re-
cognlze the Introductory remarks.
From The Burlington Sont;n,l 1928
THOMAS JEFFERSON, rs. THE PRESENT
CABINET.
The following circulars copied from the Baltimore
Republican, the orginSl draft Of which made by Mr..
Jefferson, is in the possession of the editor OF that pa
per- 1t appears to have been intended by him for the
head of each department and to be addressed TO its
Subordinate officers At this particular moment, it
comes like voice from the grave, and must sound
with terrible and onnous voice in the ears of the
present cabinet. Every line Of it conveys severe
rebuke TO trdrcilinp eectionccring cabinet and
coming as il docs from Thomas Jetlerson we should
hope it might be the means Of correcting the abuses
to which audes if indeed any thing could have thai
effect upon men, who have openly and Shameless
y sinncd against decorum and the good sense of the
people. copy Of it ought to be "lad on every Sec
retarys table and sent every other officer "hodin2
his appointment under the authority Of the Prosdcn
directly.
"CIRCULARH
1.-THE President of the e. s has seen with dissats
faction officers of the General Government, taking
on various occasions, active parts in elections Of h
public unctonares, whether of the General or of III,
State Governments. Freedom of election being es
eentn To the mutual independence Of governments
and of the different branches Of the same government
so vitality cherished by of our constitutions it
deemed improper for officers depending on the Eyecu
tive of the Union to attempt to control or n1uenc
the free exercise of the elective right This, am ms
tructed therefore to notify to all officers within m
department, holding their appointments under the al
thory of the President directly and to desire then
10 notify 10 all subordinate to them. The right of an
officer give his vote at elections qualified citzc
is not meant TO be rcstanod, nor however aiver
eha 1t have any effect to prejudice: but il is eXpec,
cd that he will not attempt TO influence the votes O
others, take any part in the business of cleo
toneerng, that beng deemed inconsistent with tn
spirit Of the constitution, and his duties to it,"
On a subsequent occasion, in one OF his letter.
Ia