Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-10-15

ronaSe' many vicious men, through false rem
RESERVATIONS OF merit, may be introduced into
ONCE: out we believe, that hardly ever unde,
any government, and we are quite sure peve,
In former times under ours was there on
large proportion of unworthy, unprincipled
men enjoying and abusing public office. as
there Is at this time under this administration.
Let us acquit president jackson, and presi-
dent Van Buren, of wilful premeditsted de-
sign to appoint "ishonest men to places ofpub-
lie trust: YET they have appointed their own
partizans in consideration of partizan serv;-
ces only. The narrow, ungener Gus party mo.
tives, and the pervading principle of official
ambition, which have regulated their choice
upon all occasions have vitiated their appoint
ments, and 1t is the motive, and the principle
winch we wish and confidently hope 10 see
s'gnally !rebuked by an indignant and virtu-
GUS people.
| The same unworthy motive anu the Same
mischlevous principle have been equally man
Hest In the removals from office which have
been made by president Van Buren, and his
predecessor; and have operated likewise to
"ithhold them from making removals of Off
GERS when the public veal required thew
should be made with promptitude and decision
when the very case occurred, in consiJera-
ton OF the possible occurrence of which the
uncontrolled power Of removal was conceded
To the PRESIDENT. On the one hand. numbers
oil tried, capable and faithful officers have
oeen removed from places merely ministerial.
which they had filed with credit to them.
serves and utility to the public, without pre-
| tence OF advantage to the public service. and
Without fault imputed or imputable, save on
honest independence Of political opinion
and others have been appointed to their off,
ces: tof no merit but loyalty to the President,
whlch has been, in contempt of common
sense misnamed Democracy. On the other
.anu' PUBIC deiaulters have been permitted
10 retain their Offices after their REGULATIONS
have been detected and avowed, with ma.
tient tolerance wholly irreconcilable with the
ieast care tor the interests of the public, and,
In some instances, reasons for continuipg
sucn deiaulters In the Offices they have abus.
ea' nave been suggested by friends of the adj
mlnlstratlon to the head of the treasury de-
partment, and (supposing him to have done
MS duty, as we doubt not he did) communi.
Gated to the President, which ought to have
neen regarded as an insultto them both; rea-
SONS founded on consideration of the inte
rests OF the ministerial party alone: Wit
ness again, the Notorious cases of defaulters
among the receivers of public moneys in the
present, only incomplete accounts. TO what
point OF time they have continued, and to
what degree of aggravaton they have been
carried, Will probably never be revealed, until
iuil and searching inquiry shall be made
When the ministers concerned will have no
interest to conceal the truth.
MIR. Jefferson promulgated general prin-
clple, which President Jackson, before his O.
Lection to the Chief AIagistracy, approved.
and which 1t was supposed until lateiy. cbal,
lenged universal approbation-that ..the RIGHT
OF any officer to give his vote at elections as
quailhed citizen, ought not to be restrained.
nor, however given, should it have any eff
iect 10 his prejudice" but that he ought not
TO attempt to influence the votes of others.
nor take any part in the business of election
eerihg, that being deemed Inconsistent with
the spirit OF the Constitution and his duties
to it, that ..interferences with elections
whether OF the State OF General Government.
by officers OF the latter, should be deemed
cause OF removal, because the constitutional
remedy by the elective principle becomes
mourning, IL 1t may be smothered by the enor-
nous patronage of the General Government. .,
Inc ministerial party in the Senate of the II.
States were the first to declare any dissen,
from these wholesome truths According IN
incl! doctrine, it is the right and duty of Ex-
IeGuuVe oiflcers, dependent as they are on the.
absolute pleasure of the President, to take
; part In the business of electioneering, and to
lihuence the votes OF others in support of the
administration. President Van Buren,, we
suppose, must hold the same opinions. For
1t has been proved, by evidence regularly ia
Ken by committee of the House of Repre-
Sentatives, reported to the House, and pub.
iiShea 10 the world, that a regular contribu-
tloh mas been levied on the officers of the
0ustom-House at New FORK, rated in pro.
portion to their salaries, and enforced by the
terror OF dismissal from their places, to raise
fund Ito be used to support the election nj
, persons attached to the present admipistra.
. .ioh and tnat this practice has prevailed
,here LOT years. Yet, President ' an Buren,
mas taken no measures that we have heard of.
c'ieck' 'huch more to suppress, this cor.
rupt and corruptlng practice; and so far from,
, ordering the removal of the officers nrin, nal.
) ~ engaged In 1t, he has not manifested the
least dispIeasure at their mischievous and
aiSgrace'ui proceedings. We should proba.
oiy nave mad no reason to complain of his SUI.
pinehess' IL the contributions had been ppli
: ea 10 the purpose of influencing votes aoains
, the administration. '''''
we turn now, with pleasure and will
t hope, to the solemn declaration Of Gen. Uan
Iison In speech lately delivered at DAYTON
r IN ohio-'Should ever be placed in tbs
OHiei magistrates seat, | will carry out TN.
l principles OF jackson, and never permit tbt
t interference OF Office holders in elections.
WIZ 20 more While will forbid their in
reference i'll elections, will never do .ra ,l
to prevent their going quietly to the nolis a.,
: voting even against me and nv messmres CIV
: NO american citizen should be deprived o
! 'he power OF voting as no pleases.''
We have presented these topics. TINS mon,
inently, for the consideration Of cnr Gill;, ill.,"
cIuZens, because of their infensn ,ro;L. Nv