The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-05
From the Journal Of Commerce.
POST OFFICES AND POLITICS.

President Tyler'S letter of instructions TO the
acting Postmaster General is but a carrying out
Of the principles he avowed on his induction IN
10 office Heretofore the Post Office establish
ment has been vast political engine, worked
BY the party IN power for their own agsrandfze-
ment On the occurrence OF an election, espe-
ciay Presidential election, the fear OF losing
their places has operated as powerful induce
ment TO postmasters throughout the Union,
about IA, 900 in number to labor night andday
for the prevention Of change OF administration;
while the hopes Of $4,000 expectants have stimu-
lated them TO strain every nerve in favor OF
change. The effect, on both sides, has been
bad Ii has served 10 make our political contests
violent and mercenary mere question ofloaves
and fishes. Instead Of the high and honorable
motives which ought TO actuate republican citl-
zens, il has presented the patry consideration OF
dollars and cents. Ii has led to gross abuses OF
the franking privilege loading the mails with
incendary materials and depriving the revenue
Of its just due. The larger Post Offices has
stood forth as golden prizes to the view OF ed.
tors and others, who have thus been wrought up
to high degree of patriotism and love Of coun-
try True, they have sometimes been disap-
pointed, especially when they aimed too high, as
in the case of certain military men OF this city
but in that event, they usually get their reward
in another way. j. e. they take II out IN scolding
+ See Courier and Enquirer and N. Y. Ameri-
can
The ground taken by the President in this
matter, cannot fail to be productive OF the hap
piest results II will teach Postmasters that the
way to retain their places is not by becoming
NOISY politicians, but by attending faithfully to
the duties of their station. 1t will teach editors
that they have higher objects to aim at than a
| Post Office-or lower as the case may be,-but
at all events, that they cannot expect TO be ire
warded' in that way. 1t will abate the rancor OF
party strife, and render our elections more wor-
| thy of the character OF freemen.
| One of the strongest objections against the
President among a certain class, is, that he is so
tolerant towards his political opponents. For
mere difference of opinion, he will not ostracise
men who have performed their official duties
| well, nor for the expression OF that opinion IN
becoming way, nor for corresponding action
But the man who makes his official station
means Of political agitation, who uses the
franking privilege TO scatter political pamphlets,
newspapers and proceedings, over the country,
in order to influence eections,-w IN short
makes himself noisy political demagogue,-
that man must walk the plank, be he Wing or
Tory. All this is exactly as il should be. II is
what politicians of all classes have been accus-
toned to insist on when in the minority but
when in the majority, their tune has uniformly
changed with their change of position. 1t was
reserved for President Tyler to put in practice
what other men have preached. Gen Jackson
had the moral courage to do it, but he lacked the
disinterestedness. He was, in short, too much
of partzan Not so with President Tyler
I He is not the President Of party, but of the
! People And Notwithstanding the walls OF wrath
which have been poured out upon him from GER
tain quarters, we believe his administration IS
destined to be emncnily popular 1t is just such
an administration as the country needs. We
have had enough of extremes, of backing and
filing,n-now let the ship Of state hold on her
way awhile, and see if she does not ride gal
lanty and safely. We remember the quiet
times of Monroe's administration, under the
lutte milieu system,-why may we not have
similar calm under President Tyler2 If there
is any reason why, it is because the country is
cursed with certain restless, ambitious spirits,
who can live only amidst excitement and con-
vulsion. Peace, to them, would be torment