The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-20

A WORD TO APPLICANTS FOR OFFICE. |
We have noticed within the last week and
more within two or three days, no small pissa-
tisfacton, that so little is done by the Pres dent
and Cabinetin deciding upon new appointn ents.
| We take upon US to say-wait with paulnce.
II is too soon to begil to suspect now that Zen.
Harrison and his advisers are fairly in their STATS
that they have forgotten the history that put item
there. We assure all VIII, il may conctm,
that there is no reason for it. Can it for po-
ment be supposed that the President would DON
sent TO put in peril that vast organization hat
has raised him to power and saved the county 2
Far from il.
To satisfy all who may have am interestin
the patronage of the President, and that great
body of the people who have been witnesses bf
the too great interest which the hundred thou
sand official corps had taken for the reelection
Of their patron, Mr.. Van Buren,, we would say,
that the danger from which the country has been
rescued in spite of their organization, is fact
not soon to be obliterated. II is well under
stood-and by none better than President Har-
rison and his Cabinet-that the battle fought
during the late Presidential campaign, was one
between the People on one side, and President
and his official corps on the other.
IL was generally admitted that il was the last
great battle 10 be decisive of victory or death,
of freedom or slavery, and that, if the President
and his trained army had trumphed they would
take good care never to run such hazard again.
Consequently, that the yoke would be forever
fastened on the necks of the people, before the
next chance would occur to strike for freedom.
That nearly the whole band of office-holders
were in this conspiracy against freedom, is per-
fectly well understood. To suppose, therefore,
that such set of men, who were willing for the
sake of office, to put in such peril the Liberties
OF the country, can ever enjoy the confidence of
General Harrison and his government, is rating
the President and his advisers at consideration
which we ourselves shall never consent to, till
the proof is placed before our eyes,
If, indeed, General Harrison proposes to car
ry out that reform for which he has been chosen
by the people, of which we have the pledge and
earnest in his Inaugural, which the people will
ofcourse expect, and for the ultimate attainment
Of which we as yet discover nothing inconsst
ant in his conduct we say, give him time and
chance to do it, on the only principle by which
it can be effected In the most salutary way.
We sympathise sincerely in that universal
public distress brought upon the country by mis-
rule which has made it convenient and desirable
for many more TO enjoy even the slenderest pit
tances of Executive patronage, than can be ac-
commodated. We are far from being disposed
to speak, as some do, disrespectfully of those
who apply for office, where the parties are other
wise worthy of respect We will say more !:
that as application is the mode established by
custom for places in the gift of the President, it
is no more derogatory in itself to comply with
that mode, than for a member of Congress to
come in by requisition or by stump speeches.
We know, that the country has been crippled
by bad government, and that general has brought
with it individual distress We believe as
matter of common justice, that they who have
fought long and hard, at great sacrifice, to re-
deem the country, now that it is redeemed, are
fairly entitled first to be considered in the bes-
towment of office, other things being equal, and
by their efforts to maintain that ruinous and des-
tructive regime, and used their influence to that
end, are so far from having the slightest claim to
be confirmed in their places, that, it would be
manifest injustice for those who have suffered SO
long, and so much, to be excluded to accommo-
date or crafty them.
Here, we think, is a distinction that must be
drawn, rule which must prevail, if the country
is to be saved from total disbanding of parties,
and an entire reorganization. Nor is there any
thing in this inconsistent with those sound prin-
ciples, for the management of this great concern,
which have been repeatedly avowed, as most
; suitable, by the prominent members of the Wing
party in Congress, during the late session, and
which we understand to be accordant with the
views of the President
A great and patriotic party, that has suffered
much by prescription and by the caamities
brought upon the country through mis-govern-
ment, has come into power, put forward as lead
err and head the man of their choice, and now
look to him, with undated and implicit conf
dence, for what will be called fair dealing in the
Distribution anu DeStoWHlenI Vi his patronage
They expect it will be done without disturbing
the integrity Of the party, or giving any oc-
casion of complaint to those who differ in their
political opinions. The latter have long enjoyed
these benefits, so far as they are valuable, and it
is in the very nature it is the design, Of our in
situations, that these changes should occur. 1t
would be violation of the principles of our Co
vernment if they did not. No human power
can introduce another order of things without
sapping the foundation of our institutions, and
it would be the height of folly as it would be no
less than miracle, to attempt it.
To suppose that man can be made a Presi-
dent by one party, and bestow his patronage
principally upon another, and still maintain his
E,,.i, Nth The snlid Ma form