Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-10-21

statement Of the relative conditions OF our
once harpy country, and those nations whose
systems are recommended for our imitation.
and can an American patriot hesitate as to the
policy he ought to pursue!
Passing by the objections 70 this measure
that it increases the annual expenses of the
Government by some $4,000, and that it pla-
ces the immense amount Of public funds at
the control of the Presidents by depositing
them in the hands of the creatures Of bis will
Allow me to direct your attention more par
ticularly to another evil which it aggrav atess
that of extending the patronage Of the ereeu-
tiUe, which has already been carried far beyond
what the safety of our institutions will justify.
EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE.
The Establishment of branches Of the Frea-
sury Department at different points, as con-
templated by this measure, necessarily gives
rise to the appointment of an additional num-
Der of federal ofhcevs and their subordlnates,
and BY these means causes large increase IN
the patronage Of the President. This attrl-
butte of the presidency, when perverted from
its legitimate object, and exercised for impro-
per purposes; affords much more powerful
lever for overthrown'g the structure Of our
government, than open violence and undis-
guised usurpation. Operating in silence, like
cancer in the human system, it extends its
6orruptin0 influence through every section OF
the country, paralyses opposition by its pollu-
ting touch, and frequently converts the warm
est opponents into instruments Of power. BY
means Of this hateful excrescence on OF poit-
ical system, all the efforts of an arbitrary dcs-
potsm, Triay be realized whilst the external
forms of free government axe preserved.
This evil in our government was cue of the
points of assault through which the leaders
of the opposition attacked and Frustrated the
administration of John @. Adams, and over
its ruins they unTurled their banner of reform.
lit was this subject of executive patronage,
which furnished MIR. Van Buren, and Thomas
Benton, with the theme of their mastery re-
port to the Senate of the United States, in
which they have so ably described IFS ba ne
full tendency. Speaking of Office holders IN
this report they 60 on to say:
I, A formidable list-formidable in
numbers and still more so from the vast
amount Of money in their hands. L he
! action Of such body of men, suppo-
sing them to be animated by one spirit
must be tremendous in an election; and
that they will be so animated is pro-
! position too plain to need demonstra-
: ton. Power overa mans support has
: always been held and admitted TO be
j. power over his will. The President
# has 'power' over the support of all
: these officers, and they again have pow
t er over the support of debtor merchants
r to the amount of ten millions OF dollars
Der annum, and over the daily support
. of an immense number Of individuals
If professional mechanical, and day-labOr-
e ing. 10 whom they can and will extend
: or DENY F1uable private as well a:
y public patronage, according to the par
/ thew shall act in State as well as ii
u Federal elections"
re CORRUPTION.
But thoFe Who rallied the l0udest agains
the abu<, Of the Adams administration, hav
Il plunged into the deepest and dirtiest pits c
r. corruption. When, Mr.. Chairman, in th
e history of our Government, did more exten
le slve system of executive patronage prevail
ct than exists at this time, and where in the his
D. tory ofany Government has it been used a
to a more effective engine of corruption? Whe
K before aid a party openly and unblushingl
7 avow the piratical sentiment /" 10 the vic
U tors belong the spoils ofthe enemy!" Whe
- was the right of opinion which freemen ha7
. always held sacred, punished with more il
in tolerant spirit When did you see NOR;
re depravity and political corruption stalk thrt
10 our country with more bold and unblushir
ed effrontery? Have you not witnessed the c
CHI fee of Post Master General, a post of Il
he highest honor, and part of the President
" Cabinet, disgraced by the appointment of tn
he pensioned Swiss Amos Kendall, with who
M contact is pollution! And have you not LAT
iio ly seen that hired lbeller, whose heart h
yet to learn the grateful feelings of gene
=. Gus act, or of an honorable sentiment, d
~ scerd from the station which was once
ds dignifed, to sustain his chief by traducing Il
rvs character of venerable patriot That blai
~, hearted migrate. that political renegade, W
err would act the part of Judas to his Savio
hts for a reward, was deemed the most proper
lis strument to compound the disgusting falls
ing hoods with which the bright fame of Gene
WI Harrison was to be assailed, and with 4
TN view using his official influence for his pa
ont purposes, he despatched his circulars TO
=" the post masters in the Union, to enlist tn
~; services in his unIioly cause. One Of VIII
md addressed to the post master at Noxubei
Sc. win read to you:
WASHINGTON, May, 20, 1s4
md My dear str,
S. Having embarked with conciousnt
OF of right and hearty good will, in I
are defence of the administration, Of viii
ag I have formed part, 1 earnestly
nd yoke yotr assistance in rendering I
ian efforts effective by disseminating I
in enclosed address, and ofobtaining 81
are scfibers to the Extra Globe througho
dly your section OF country.
len Every farmer, mechanic and wor
'S ing man should have one and if tn
ON cannot well spare dollar each, two
Seu .ssk.-o oLo,,lJ ,,,,;to soratI1ar ~ 20