The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-23
ROTATION IN OFFICE.


perpetual in this Republic. Periodical changes
and publications salutary and necessary
A long lease of the offices of government pro-
duces frequently stagnation and corruption
When the people decided that Mr.. Van Blu
rem should go out of offce-and that President
should not hold but one term, they determined
also that those of his adherents and dependents
who employed themselves in the war against
the majesty of the people in the late struggle, or
who are incompetent, corrupt, should, as a
matter of course, 60 out with him. 1t is mat
ter of justice that there should be change in
the principal Departments of government-the
people expect t-their voice demands it. They
claim rotation matter both of right, and of
expedency. II is untrue that change Of go
vernment agents, required by public sentiment,
is prescription for opinions sake. II is rotation
for equal rights sake, and for the sake of the sal
walton of the government. The Executive and
his Cabinet have no malice in their characters
mo spirit of prescription, or of persecution
They have high sense Of the moral response
bilities of their stations-a just conception Of
their duties 10 the country, and a knowledge OF
what is necessary to be done to carry on sue
cessfully, and without obstruction, the affairs of
government. Is investigation necessary in any
particular office2 May not Loco-foco, if he
be retained in possession, make concealment of
facts and circumstances, which, if exposed,
might confirm some suspicion of fraud or of
corruption? If an important trust is to be exc
cuted, is an individual inimical to the admins
tration, to be selected when multitudes Of friends
are ready to execute it with equal energy, and
with more jealous pride2 Can the Executive,
elected to carry out certain great and fixed prin-
ciples, employ as his agents persons who are
hostile to those principles, and who will use
their influence and take their opportunity to en-
barrass and defeat them2
The clamor of the Loco-focos about removals
from Office comes from them with very i'll grace
Weinfer from it that they have not all along
been doing as they would be done by. Did
they not remove faithful officer CDR. Jones)
from the City Post Office, for no other reason
than that he was Conservative? Have they
not prescribed multitudes of others for opinions
sake2 Did they not mark every Wing in Office,
and publish his name among the lists Of the
victims Of their prescription, every one of whom,
in case of Mr.. Van Buren's reelection, was to
feel the axe of decapitation ? Was it not the
doctrine upon which they began in ls29-re-
affirmed and avowed by Gov Marcy in the Sc
nate, and acted upon continually, wherever and
whenever it was practicable, from the beginning
to the end of their dynasty? Turn back to the
official organ of President Jackson in ls29-you
will find lists of removals and appointments
filling whole columns Of that Journal backed
and supported by long editorial essays daily
To refresh the memories of those who now ex-
hibit so much sensitiveness on the subject, we
will make few quotations from Gen Jackson's
official organ, which we commend to the Loco
focos for consolation in their present Affections
One Of the duties imposed on the President elect is
to see that the laws faithfully executedfor this
he is responsible to the people. How can he expect
that duty to be faithfully DONE if he retains in office
the retainers and parizans Of Mr. Clay, who have not
only filed the country with ISLANDERS as to the past
but prognosticated the greatest evils as to the future
January G. 29.
If there be any man in Office who would starve if
turned out, it IS at once argument for his removal
No one should be continued in Office, who in
try like this, cannot make honest living; and, if
we know any thing of public sentiment, the time has
come when public men will be required to work for
their living well as others ID.
Gen Jackson, in preferring his friends to his enc
miles, will be the President of the Nation. Jan. IA.
One of the fundamental principles of our govern
ment is, that the will Of the majority shall prevail;
and, when any political party gains an ascendancy
over anotner il to be presumed that will have the
affairs of government administered its princi
pies; particularly the responsibility rests with it,
and that individuals, having the interests and views of
the party heart would be better adapted to carry
into effect its great and leading Objects than those
opposed. Such was the policy pursued by the great
Jefferson whose purity wisdom and patriotism, no
man can question. Jan. II.
We wonder if the editors can be serious in expect |
ing the President to be able to work that efficient
form which the people look for at his hands, if he
tans in Office to the exclusion of his friends and the
advocates of reform, those political enemies familiar
lied the abuse and corruption of the preceding adj
mnistralion1 March l6.
An affected sympathy is attempted, and a mawkish
sensibiy INDUCED in by some, for the probable fate
of any ofcehoders, who the active partzans of
the late administration and he vindictivc calumnators
of the powers that be. This is sheer afectson, too
shallow not to be detected, and is confined to their
own brotherhood. Who that respects the principles
of the democratic pariywho, that hopes for reform
who, that consstencywho that loves justice
who, that despises the wanton calumniator, but
must take decided stand against this class Of persons
who the distinguished recipients of the favor of
the late administration These have no. only |
no claim for continuance in Office, but ought to be