The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-18
REMOVALS AND APPOINTMENTS.

The clamor that has been raised about proscrir-
ton" will react upon its authors and those whom it
Processes to befrend, in more ways than one.
The Administration have doubtless already learned,
that gratitude for orbcarance ia not to be expected
and that they have nothing 10 gain among political
opponents, and much to,lose among friends by delay
ing justice and propriety. No matter how little is
done by removals and new appointments, the clamor
will be the same If universal sweep made
at once. Forbearance has reward The more
Kindness is shown the greater the abuse, apparently
They think strike terror and to bring about pause
in the discharge of conscientious duty. But if ali
were done that is proper to be done,
nencc may admit the clamor would soon be over At
least there could hardly be more Of it. II will be
abated of course fail pail on the pub
lie ear.
But there is justice in this concern, which cannot
easily he set aside the of those who have been
most efficient in cdeeming the country at great per-
sonal sacrifice Other things being equal, if there be
any inequality between the claims of the Ins and the
Outs all proper considerations resulting from state
of society and the nature of institutions, are, in
most Cases in favor of the Outs. The democratic
principle of rotation in public trusts cannot easily be
expunged from the common creed The principle o :.
perpetual or life lease cannot be defended for mo-
lnent Then where is the claim of the ms to the cx-
clusion Of the OuTsl
But when the suherings and the wants of those who
have made great ces for the country great
for The of Government patronage could posi-
bly, result fiom the deprivation thereof in any given
cases shall the true friends OF the Administration
who have fought its battles such expense and sacri-
4. ~
ton by exclusion while its enemies who have fatened
for years in their places, still permitted TO enjoy
them, at the expense of more deserving claimants
There is preposterousness side of this ques-
ton, which sh4cks common justice. When deep
wound is inflicted in this way high merit and un-
questionable claims, the country itself bleeds The
opponent such claims ordinarily canno, be injured
though he may suffer. The asserter of them may be
deeply injured.
Besides, is prescription only side Can the
man who has had place, and is superseded, complain
OF prescription, and may not he, who is in all respects
better entitled, and who has stronger claim Than the
man whose place he solicits--nay not he complain of
prescription, II his request is denied fbs rule will
not work both ways it must be a very bad one. Ii is
the principle that claims TO be respected and he who
is best entitled to place, all things considered and is
refused H. whether he be IN or an OUT whether he
asks to be kept in or TO be put inhe is the prescribed
man, On this point we have no hesitation in utter
ing decided opinion, and fully believe that the
voice of the country will sustain it, If it be not so,
we are unable to conceive how right can be dsIin-
guished from wrong. All public trusts are the pro-
perry ofthe American people II is monstrous to sup
pose they can be monopolized and appropriated by
privileged class as an original right, % birthnght
prerogative.
One thought has occurred to us which will doubt
less occur to ALL in view of this unreasonable and
reasonable elamor about prescription viz that il is
part Of political game TO power. They who
have always used place to ortfy party regard il as
capital not to be surrendered willingly They know