Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-04-10

From the National Inteliigencer Of the 2lst.
In the CIRCULAR, which appears under
the official head to-day, we have satisfacto-
ry evidence that the sacred right of opinion
will be respected by the present Executive |
in regard to those who fill public trusts and
offices under it, whilst, in regard to the body /!
of the People, the exercise of that right
will be protected, by all the power the Ex-
ecutive can exert, from official interference
with it. We hail this authoritative oxpog;-
ton of the wishes and intentions Of the
Chief Magistrate with delight proper
toned to the detestation which we have
ever entertained for the directly opposite
principles of the party from whose hands
the People have just wrestcd the reins of
Government. This Circular is, indeed,
of itself, the warrant of Reform of abuses
the achievement of which is sufficient to
illustrate the present era in our political
history. were it to be signalized bvno other
Of the important measures Of the same
character which may be looked for from
the Legislative as well as Executive de-
partments of the Government.
The determination announced in the sec
ond branch of the Circular is only carrying
out the principles which we have always
told our readers would distinguish the adj
mnistration of Gen. Harrison in the event
of his election. In those principles, as
illustrated in the paper now before us, we
have satisfactory guaranty that whilst he
and his trusty counsellOrs steer and sail the
ship of state, no public officer will be allow
ed to fill his pockets with the public money,
escaping detection through the negligence
of those whose duty it is to check these
deprcdations until it is too late for detec-
ton to be of any use Il do not think it
would be wrong" said Gen. Harrison, in a
statement laid before Congress in the year
1915, "to make all public officers account
for any sudden increase of wealth" This
sound Republican maxim, applied by the
present President in his own case more than
a quarter of a century ago, which redown-
ded to his honor then, becomes him not less
now, when in his character of chief Ma
gistrate, he does all he can to establish ii
as a rule of action for the Government.
[CIRCULAR7
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
March 20, ls4l.
To the Hon. THOMAS EwING,
Secretary Of the Irca&HrY.
Sir: The President is Of opinion that il
is a great abuse to bring the patronage OF
the General Government into conflict with
i the freedom Of elections; and that this abuse
to be corrected wherever it may have been
permitted to exist, and to be prevented for
the future.
He there fore directs that information be
given to all officers and agents in your De.
partment of the public service that partisan
interference in popular elections whether
of State officers or officers of this Govern
ment, and for whomsoever or against
whomsocver it may be exercised, or the
payment Of any contribution or assessment
on salaries or official compensation for par.
ty or election purposes, will be regarded by
him as cause of removal.
1t is not intended that any officer shall
be restrained in the free and proper express
sion and maintenance of his opinions res.
pecting public men or public measures, on
in the exercise, to the fullest degree, of the
t constitutional right of suffrage. But per
sons employed under the Government. anC
, paid for their services out OF the public
{ Treasury, are not expected 10 take an &C
tive or otficious part in attempts to infiucnc,
the minds or votes of officers: such conduct
; being deemed inconsistent with the spiri
Of the Constitution and the duties Of public
> agents acting under it: and the Presiden
is resolved, SO far as depends upon him
= that while the exercise Of the elective fran
n chise by the people shall be free from un
. due influences Of official station and au
thority. opinion shall also be free among
the officers and agents Of the Government
The President wishes il further 10 be
II announced and distinctly understood. thai
$ from al collecting and disbursing officer:
. promptitude in rendering accounts. anC
b entire punctuality in paying balances, vii
= be vigorously expected. In his opinion i
is time to return, in this respect, to the earl,
practice of the Government, and 10 mol,
any degree of delinquency on the part 0
. those entrusted with the public money jus
7 cause Of immediate removal. He deem
the severe observance of this rule to b
. essential to the public service, as every dol
4 lar lost to the Treasury by unraithfuIncs
in office creates necessity for new
0 charge upon the people.
. have the honor to be, sir,
. Your obodicnt servant,
d DANIEL WEBSTER.
y. Similar letters have been addressed tc
e other heads Of Departments.