The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-30
OFFICIAL
To the People Of the Quilted
States.


presiding over the several Departments, of
the deeply regretted death 0f WILEIAAII
HENRY HARRISON, late President ofthe
United States. Upon him you had confer
red your suffrages for the first Office in your
gift, and had selected him as your chosen
instrument to correct and reform all such
errors and abuses as had manifested them
selves from time to time in the practicalop-
Grafton of the Government While standing
at the threshold of this great work, he has,
by the dispensation Of an aIl-wise Provi-
denee, been removed from amongst us, and
by the provisions of the Constitution, the
efforts TO be directed TO the accomplishment
OF this vitality important task have devolved
upon myself This same occurrence has
subjected the wisdom and sufficiency of
institutions to new test For the first
time in our history, the person elected to
the Vice Presidency of the United States,
by the happening of contingency provided
for in the Constitution, has devolVed upon
him the Presidential office. The spirit of
faction, which is directly opposed TO the
spirit Of a, lofty patriotism, may find this oc-
casion for assault upon my administration
And, in succeeding, upon circumstances SO
sudden and unexpected, and to responsible.
tiles SO greatly augmented, to the admins
tration Of public affairs, shall place in the
intelligence and patriotism of the people my
only surveillance. My earnest prayer shall
be constantly addressed TO the all wise and
all powerful Being who made me, and by
whose dispensation am called to the high
Office of President Of this Confederacy, un-
derstandiRgly to carry out the principles Of
that Consultation which have sworn to
'sprotect, preserve and defend.f "
The usual opportunity which is afforded
to chief Magistrate upon his introduction
to Office, of presenting to his countrynien an
exposition of the policy which would guide
his administration, in the form of an inaugu-
raj address, not having under the peculiar
circumstances which have brought me TO
the discharge Of the high duties Of the Pres
ident Of the United States, been afforded to
me, a briefexposition of the principles which
will govern me in the general course of my
administration. of public affairs, would seem
to be due as well to myself as to you. In
regard to foreign nations, the groundwork of
nay policy will be justice on our part to all,
submitting toI.inihstice from none. While
I,shall sedulopsly cultivate the relations of
peace and amity with one and all, it will be
my most imperative duty to see that the
honor of the country shall sustain no blem-
ishol With a,viewto this, the condition Of
ouF military defences winfbecome matter
ofanxious solicitude. The army, which has
in other days covered itself with renown, and
the navy, not appropriately termed the
right arm Of the public defence, which has
spread light of glory over the American
standard in all the waters Of the earth,
should be rendered replete with efficiency.
In view of the fact, we'll youched by his
tory. that the tendency of ali human institu-
tiuns is. to concentrate power in the hands of
fall has, proceeded from this cause, deem
ityof the most essential Importance that a
complete seperation should take place be-
tween the sword and the purse. No matter
where or how the public money shall be de-
posted, so long as the President can exert
the powered appointing and removing at his
pleasure, the agents selected for their custo-
dy, the commandeT-in-chiefo Of the army and
tdeina9y, is in fact the treasurer. A perma-
nent and radical change should therefore be
decreed. The patronage incident to the
Presidential Office, already great, is con-
stantly increasing. Such increase is destin-
ed to keep pace with the growth, of our pop,
uIatfon, until without a figure of speech, an
am3oOf Office holders may be spread over
the land. The unrestrained power exerted
by a selishly ambitious man, in order either
to perpetuate his authority or TO hand it o.
yer to some favorite as his successor; may
lead to. the employment of all the means
within his control TO accomplish his object.
The right 10 remove from Office, while sub.
iected to no just restraint, IS inevitably des-
tined to produce spirit of eFouching SER
Witty with the official corps, which in order
TO uphold the hand which feedsthem, would
lead TO direct and active interference in the
elections, both state and federal, thereby
subIecting the course Of state legislation to
theldictation of the chief executive officer,
and making the will Of that officer absolute
and supreme. Iwill at a proper time invoke
the action of Congress upon this subject,
and shall readily acquiesce in the adoption
OF all proper measures which are calculated
ia arrest these, evils, so full Of danger in
their tendency. will remove no incum-
henf fFoFn Office who has faithfully and hon
estly acquitted himself Of the duties Of his
Office except in such cases where such Of
ficer has been guilty Of an active parlizan-
shin. or by secret means tlle. less manly,
and therefore the more ec.ionable has
piyeu his official influence to the purposes
ofparty, thereby bringing the patronage Of
the Government II conflict with freedom Of
elections
Numerous removals NAV become necessa-
y.under this rule Those will be made BY
me through no acerbitY of feeling. have