The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-04-30
From the Washington Globe.
THE POLITICAL FRIENDS OF GEN.
HARRISON SACRIFICING HIS REPU-
TATION.

WHILE those who have prohted most by Gen
llarriSon's popularity are making the greatest os-
enialion of grief for effect at this moment they arc
nevertheless seeking TO throw on him the odium Of
their own acts which would blast his future fame.
We learn from undoubted sources, although not
from the individual concerned. that, after the ac-
cession of Mr. Tyler TO the Presidency, persons
have been sent for by the Secretary, and told that
their removal had been ordered by the late Presi-
dent; and, without pretending any offence or fail
ure in duty, or other ground Of prescription, they
were forthwith dismissed. This course of carry
ing bnck prescriptions, is doubtless intended TO
make the impression that the victims of the pres
cnl hour suffer under the direction of the deceased
President In this way, every man who is struck
down. and every ruined family, are made to feel
that their wrctchcdncss is legacy from one toward
when all political unkndness reenlod when the
cold vault closed upon him and his earthly honors.
We understand, from unquesiionabe sources of
information, that Gen Harrison was utterly OPP
posed to the whole system of prescription. We
published, yesterday, Mr. Preston's announcements
in the Senate, which were unqueslionaby made
with Gen. iarrison's prvity and consert, after his
arrival in Washington, for the purpose Of prcpar-
ing his poli,lca! friends for an acquiescence in his
carrying out the solemn pledges he had made on
his Cabinet were installed they conrived to defeat
his determination. We learn that his Cabinet as
sumed right TO decide upon subject in regard to
which they had only right 10 advise; and that by
majority orJour to iuo, they voted down the will
of the President in regard to n subject which in
wolves the livelihood of so many thousands who
have no skill or means to support their families ex-
cep, by the employmenls which they have devoted
the prime of life TO learn. The fate of all these
people, (ii we are to credit this statement, which
we have had from source not likely TO be mista.
ken, and which is confirmed 10y multitude of cir
cunstances which puts the fact beyond question:
has been put at the mercy ola Cabinet, by its own
decision; and ile well hr""'" intentions nr the
President, who is alone responsible TO the people,
and all his pledges to them, are set at nought.-
Against this course, we have reason TO believe
both Mr. Bell and Mr. Badger set their faces. 1t is
just to them that the fact should be known 10 the
country.
We proceed TO rccapitulate the facts which prove
that some mode was adopted by Gen. lIarison's
principal funciionacs TO superscde his authority in
regard to removals and appointments. lfitwerc not
done upon the British plan TO which we have allu-
died. and which makes the Council Board Of Min
isters supreme the Chief agslrate, it will be
incumbent on the Webster Cabinet to explain the
cases to which we refer otherwise and consistently
with the honor of the late President.
II is known, and can be proved beyond doubt,
that President Harrison gave positive assurance 10
several that they should not be removed, and yet
they were removed almost simultaneously with the
Presidents promise TO the contrary This was the
case Of Nh Livingston Of New York. The same
mail, we believe, which carried him the assurance,
obtained from the Chief, that he W ,uld not be re-
moved, carried letter of dismlssion from the Min
Il
Col. Johnson that his nephew, Mr. Ward, should
not be removed as Solicitor of the Land Office
lie had been appointed subsequently to the Presi-
dental election, on the elevation Of Mr. McRoberts,
his predecessor, 10 the Senate and, therefore,
could not he suspected even Of having used any
official influence against the late President. lie
was, moreover, man Of great moderation in poll
tics, and had never offended the prejudces Of his
opponents by any ychcmencc. We are told that
the President took occasion, when Col. Johnson
dned with him, TO advert TO this estimabe young
officer as the son Of his friend and comrade, Col.
Ward-one of the bravcst and best Of the Ken
tuckans-to put his guest, who fought the battle
Of the Thames ut case about the fate Of his nephew.
lie told him he should not be removed; and yet
he was removed Immediately; and what makes il
the more remarkable, is the fact that MrCrltten-
den was consulted about Mr. Wards accepting the
appointment, when rendered by Mr. Van Buren,.
AS il was known that Mr. Cr,tenden was to be one
Of Gen. IIarrison's Cabinet, it was thought Nell to
let him know that the appointment would not be
accepted, If he supposed the appointee would not
be agreeable 10 the new Administration. Mr. Crit
tenden, we are informed, advised the acceptance
of the place; and yet neither the countenance of
member Of the Cabinet, nor the word of the Prcsi-
dent could save the officer, who came within none
of the pretexts for the prOscrDton ms declared in