Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-20

VIRGINIA AND THE NEW ADMINISTRATION.-N No. H.
Removals. from Office.
The patronage of the Executive was by no means an
unpopular theme Of abuse with the opponents OF the
two last Administrations. The Democratic admins
trailons Of Jackson and Van Buren, continually
loaded with oboquy account OF their alleged abuse
Of power in making appointments and removing men
from office for opinions sake. Whatever may have
been the real dement's Of those Administrations, the
friends Of that which in power cannot deny tina,
also par,akes of the fault which they were once wont
10 condemn loudly and Increasingly. Will public
opincn justify them in doing that themselves which
they condemned in others?
Inc theory Of our Government, as conceived by oui
ioeia,hers embraced few Offices as possible and nc
Pmes. Il was designed to employ only enough men
10 carry on the necessary operations OF the Govern
men', and 10 pay them such compensation as would
prevent them from losing their time and money IN the
service Of their country AS Offices created for
The service Of the State and not for the beneht OF md
RITUALS It contemplated that they would be filled
BY men who esteemed their rather as an ev-
dence Of honor and distinction than source of emolu-
ment 1t was not intended that the Executive IN APP
pointing man to office should be considered as con-
ierrrng individual favor; for he that discharges
his duty honestly and faithfully ought to be consider
ed rendering rather than receiving favor In
the eye Of the trainers Of the Constitution the pub
lie officer was iaGoTer, and all admit "he laborer
IS worthy of his hire" But should he have more
than his hire? To provide against this Dr. franklin
the Cd Of June 1857, the Federal Convention of.
Tered an amendment declaring that only the necessary
expenses of executive officers should he paid In ad-
vocatng IFS adoption, he used the following strong Ian
grage: 'There are two passions which have powerful
influence on the affairs Of men, These are ambition
and avarce the love of power and the love Of money
Separately, each of these has great force in prompt
ing men to action but when united in view Of the same
object they have in many minds the most violent fleets
Place before the eyes of such post of honor, that
shall he at the time place of prot and they will
IL lko.H ho,
Der Of such places it is that renders the British govern
nen so tempestuous The struggles for them are the
tue sources Of all those factions, which perpetuay
uShg the nation, disracting its councils, hurryng
sometimes into frutess and mischevous wars, and
often compelling submission TO dishonorabe terms Of
peace.
"And Of what kind are the that will strive for
thls profitable. preemnence, through all the hustle Of
caoai The heat Of contention, the infinite mutual abuse
parties tearing to pieces the best of characters 1t
vii not be the wise and moderate, the lovers Of peace
and good order, the men fttest for the trust 1t will
oe the bold and the violent the men OF strong pas
SONS and interchangeable activity in their selfish pur-
SUITS These will thrust themselves into your Govern
heht, and be your rulers. And these, too, will be mis-
aken IN the expected happiness of their situation; tor
nie'r vanqushed competitors, of the same spirit and
rom the same motives, will perpetually be endeavor
ing TO distress their administration, thwat their mea-
su'es, and render them odious to the people How
SPACIOUS the foresight of FRASKLIS How appli-
eaoic his remarks to the hungry tribe of Office
seekers who have for u month or two past in
Tested our National Metropolis by their contagious
presence And Of the men who have obtained
places obtained them too at the expense of vrtuous
ana faithful otcers-how many but ndolent drones,
We lees of society, mere brawling dsmagogues, or
eourtly worshippers of rank and station, who enter
'Ae'r Offices with the heartfelt, but often suppressed,
contempt of the communities in which they reside -
nov many have rode into place upon misre presenta
IONS Of their fellow citizens the black breath of calum
ny and the intrgues Of insidious emissares How
lions
It's much TO be regretted, that such lust after
I1ce should have become common i'll country
~ ~ is iamentable, indeed, that many should
.oace,ve the idea of calling in the aid Of Government
snaee them to recruit their fallen hopes and shattered
sso''unes Those who seek office, will generally be
WING involved in pecuniary embarrassment, and, on