Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-04-11

and nov, ,uiyW-citi.,n5, il cORIcs grdpply t.
ne considered By Us whether VIC will tolerate coz
iinuance Of this state Of things whether, rally
ing in the majesty OF our strength, we shall correct
the evil ere it become tno formidable 10 be correc.
ted! pray you to consider tho rcpiL increase which
has been made in Executive Offices since the days of
General Washington. Behold how RAPIDLY they
have swollen into huge army. melted now. with a
holiness here otorc unprecedented, to cnterupon the
husljngs and q interfere withthc elections in every
direction. Upon the first point. beg to refer YOU
TO two documents to which y0u can readily have ac-
cess: Col. Bcnons celebrated reform report, made
during Mr.. Adams administrator, aud Mr.. Cal
hours report made during the last four years of
General Jacl>on'S administration. These two doc
umcuts call loudly for the pcrusa Of every friend
TO his country. TLey have tmanatcd from the pens
Of two men now eminent in the administration nar-
ty, and surely are entitled not only because of their
origin, hut still more because Of the facts which
they exhibit. to tie highest respect and attention.
My own opinion IS, that the people have no time 10
lose in establishing precedent upon this point.
We all must remember Ia have seen the circular let.
ter addressed by Mr. Jefferson to the o!licc-hOldcrS
upon his coming into office lie babe them ccnfnc
themselves to their various duties. and carefully to
abstain from bringing tlcr official influence 10 bear
upon elections. Those were the pure and halcyon
days Of The Republic. How is it now. and who are
the most noisy polrnCs Of the day. The fact is
also well accredited that large sums are annually
subscribed by those holding fat Offices, in order TO
coriroui the elections. These appliances are said
70 he used chiefly in the populous cities. Can we
expect it to be otherwise while the offices Of the
Government are used aud regarded as the mere
spells Of the victors! lie knows nothing of the
nature Of mnn who can 50 believe. No--the people
must take this matter into their own hands. When
shall we lie better prepared 10 do so than now! In
the last Is years tie expenditures have increased
from l3 10 10000 ,0OOannuay Slal we be stron.
I > ,.11T
increased! Shall we be the better able to resist Of
fetal dicnion when the numbers of office. holders
shall have been doubled! 1t is idle to think 50.
give it As my dc!ibe:nte opinion, that i IRE capHo
bSi tia. Ercce2nt Ho, ce stat haze no polcCr to
DO L in future times.
IL have never heard a satisfactory argument ur
gcd in favor Of the second term There is no man
among u. of such transcend0nt abilities and I'M
questioned patriotism, that his equal cannot be
found. We run no hazard of having incompetent
men to administer the government, unless through
our own folly. | know that il has been urged, as
Important, that a uniform, steady course Of policy
shall prevail in the administration Ct public affairs
This is undoubc dIy true, provided the course pur
sued he correct. Bat beg 10 know. whether i. will
not lie secured as well By the election Of new man.
agreeing, in all respects with his predecessor, rs
by that predecessor hm>cf1 But. what, if the
course Of policy be bad, and the President De faciD
Shall bring 20 bear upon taH elections the immense
weight of his patronamel-what, il he shall put in
10 requ>iton all the immense powers Of his Office,
in order TO secure that darling object submit it to
any candid man, to say whether there is not more
danger from this source than the o,hcr! 90 far
thor. and say that. if rcegJle, the first iuar years
Of his term will he devoted 20 securing his re-clcC-
ton for the second four years. Thus viii the c0Un-
try come to he exposed to all manner Of corrupt
practices, while power, conscious in its strength,
will mock at the feeble and puny efforts Of the vr
tuous and patriotic. TO pull it down from its high
place Il is cur duty to hold ont all inducements
70 the who fills the chair of State, to avoid pur
suing Il selfish course. Elevated to his high station
| by tie public voice, for patriotism displayed and
services rendered, if limited to single term, lie
will have hut one indncemrnt to operate upon him.
and that will he, to write his name. public ben
efac'or, upon his counry's hi<r,.s. ai 70 win for
himself the applause and grati.uda .t his t...Dw
n. lie will have nothing, or '"- little, 20 do
with tle throes and con"nls:0, . ..-'.. and viii
.-,-yy neither be assai,od nor der .'.I BY them.
Having touched the highest point is ambition.
he will look beyond his fur years 10 tina, retire.
ment IN which hcno-Cd and respected by ALL his de-
ciining years are to he passed in peace; aud that
consideration will stimulate hin 10 exert the pow
Of his high Office. to give stability TO pOii
cal institutions, and to promote the permnnen, pros
perity Of his country. lie will TINS belong to no
party bu. that Of his country, and yield to system
Of policy but that motive Of the general happiness:
no temptation to abuse hI power bc:cts him. and
corruption cannot come near him.
"ln view Of purposes 50 vital and so enduring.
shall we fold our arms in utter inlifcroncol--Shai
we forget that we have country, whose interests
are dCarcr TO US than party can possibly be! What
good will party do us or our children, when the
whole fabric Of our government shall, by reason Of
the corruption which will ultimately sail its very
foundations, if its tendencies he not arrested, be
ready to fall on our heads, and to bury in ruins US
and our hopes!- But some Of Us are ivan Blrcn
men," and it will not do to desert him n0v-Letter
that we "sirk or swim with him, than let is pow
er cease after his present term expires Do ask
you to aiiiX any disgrace upon Mr.. Van Buren,, or
/ TO establish in his case 4 rule which YOU 90 not
mean to apply to all others who are to come afer
/ him! Does your Van Burenisn necessarily ceao
| the moment that ho goes out Of Office! viii his
pride be wounded when the day shall arrive for him
70 retire! or will lie survive in the consciousness
Of having passed well spent lfc and have that
fact 0ttested to him hy the troops Of friends who
viii continue 10 do him reverence!loi il only while
tie Splendor Of Office Is about him, and his single
word can speak the Jaw TO party, that yuu can look
on him with admiration and gratitude! FUrmy own
part, | never have looked upon the man who had
run his career with honor aud usefulness and had
retired from UM.cG attended bV the p,a dts Of his
grateful couRrymcn that did not feel 4 diSpo,il-
on to do him continual reyerence--'Ihat tnr-hon-
,ored man docs more 10 inCulCate the lessons Of Il
pure ana lofty ambition, to inspire noble and gen
eruuS ardour in the cause of mankind, thar the loft
lest and the prJudest Monarch who ever swaved
sCnDtrc, has been abietO accomplish He stands o
living monument on which !, written the deeds Of a
long life Of patriotic devotion. AL liat ! aS; YOU
to say to Mr.. Van Buren,, is--"We seek to bring
upon you no di>rrGce-Wc have conferred by our
suffrage upon you, the h. c>t Office known among
men We sin honor and respect yon, but the time
has arrived when our country requires rs to cs'ab-