The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-16
PLACE-HUNTING.

II was our opinion, while Mr.. Van Buren, was
IN power that, office was duty, not a privilege
Such was intended to be the nature of Office in
this Republic. Our opinion is unchanged In
monarchical governments, where power is heredi-
tary, and permanently placed in the hands of a
few, posts Of hoaor are generally posts Of pecu-
mary profit, and the occupancy Of such places
becomes matter of general ambition In
popular governments, based on the democratic
principle of equal rights and equal justice places
of great power or of great emolument must ne
cessarily be limited, and the whole plan by
which the government is conducted is intended
equality of condition which it is the business of
our forms and laws TO secure When, therefore,
period arrives which brings withit general
press for office from every class in the eommu-
nifty, it is natural to suspect that something must
be wrong For such a state of things was never
anticipated, nor ever ought it to be allowed to
enter into the intentions of the founders of a
popular government.
In the early days Of the Republic, Gen.
Washington, and some of his compatriots, dis
charged the duties Of public office, which were
thrust upon them, not sought, without charge.
They felt, while they served their country, that
just in proportion to the general prosperity and
happiness they were instrumental in producing,
they secured that of themselves and families
They served at once their country and them
selves, and found their reward in their con
sciences and homes, and in the happiness of
their fellow-citizens.
Happiness is the primary object we all have
in view Government is means of obtaining
it. 1t is necessary rule of action. 1t is not
the exclusive business of people II is not the
rod which swallows up all other avenues to hap
pness. 1t is rule set up by the people, who
select few agents from among their number to
direct il, while the mass pursue in safety their
more profitable avocations. il all the people
were to be officers, then in truth, the Rev. John
Cotton would have some ground for his enigma :
If the people be governors, who shall be the
governed2" But although the people control
yet it is necessary for them to delegate their
authority, and the number of ministers they Sc
lect to execute their trusts must be limited As
it's post of honor TO hold such trust, it would
have been well if they had not superadded more
profit to the honor than could be obtained by the
exercise of similar abilities in private employ
ments. When the question of salaries to fede-
raj officers first came up in the Convention that
formed the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin,
foresaw and foretold the strife, the rivalry, and
the discussions that would ultimately ensue, if
the posts of honor were at the same time made
posts of profit Experience has proven the truth
of the prophecy. Limited as is the number Of
appointments, the number of aspirants has be-
come unlimited, and is constantly increasing.
The universal and inordnae desire for place
exhibited in the ranks of every party without
distinction, has become great social evil, call
ing loudly for correction. We need not say that
it DESTROYS the spirit of independence; that il
dfuses venal and servile humor that it stiles
the manler virtues that il wastes time and
spends money for naught; that il gives rise to
secret intrgues and various arts of corruption;
that it "creates an unproductive activity, which
agitates the country without adding 10 It's re-
sources" Multiudes know these things are
obvious
II commerce and industry are checked IN their
growth. and all the ordinary means Of making
fortune are closed up--if the different lines OF
business are few and ill-paid-and IL public en-
Payments are numerous, lucrative and perma-