The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-14
From the Baltimore San.


To the student who cons his lessons in the great
book of the human race, who makes man moral
being his study, 1t were matter Of curious, If not use
full inquiry whether the possession of public office
corrupts the incumbent or the man carries corrup-
ton with him into Office. BE this as it may, how
ever it certain that the frequent developments OF
few years past IN this country, has shewn that men,
though they may not have two characters, pursue
two opposite courses OF conduct, one secret and the
other open honest and the other dishonest, one
for official and the other for private life. The gov
eminent the bank officer who in his private ca
pacty would cheat man out of iarthing OF his
just dues, who in all his private personal dealings
with his fellow citizens is just and upright will at
the same time make nothing of defrauding the gov
eminent the bank, the people the stockholders,
of thousands and hundreds Of thousands of dollars
Such men have been known, on discovery, to
have spent years in the preparation OF fraud and
peculaton, while maintaining before the eye OF the
world enyable regulations. Amable in private life,
admired in the social circle patterns OF morality, and
externally at least religious, useful in the world OF
business kind and chart able, and highly esteemed
for their numerous good qualities, few would ven
ture to even suspect, much less charge them with
any species of dishonesty. True what has already,
from time to time, been brought to light through the
perseverance Of otfice-seeking scrutiny or by the
action of fear the guilty conscences of corrupt
incumbents, as manifested in their flight from the
dreaded hand of justice, has had tendency to unset
tie confidence to greater or less extent in all office
holders SO that in these days there few fortu
nate as to tie held above suspicion. Nor can they
complain of his They take office with the know
edge of the fact, that not not only the eyes of
the disappointed seekers upon them but that pub
lie Office has to be considered by trading parti-
san politicians in the light OFFS spos, the vigant and
sleepless eye Of party constantly engaged in spying
out all their ways. lfthis vigiant espionage die
tated pure patriotism, it wouldnecessary command
APPROVAL proceeding, however, it for the most part
nd ttoio GO
might yet be rendered useful; indeed it is somewhat
strange that it generally fails to be of at any rate
1t would seem to have tendency to promote official no.
nesty by acting the fears of the ncumbents but it
seems to have contrary effect; for such have been
the mutations of power, that from the fear of losing
office by the expected changes in the condition Of par
ties the ms seem to have practised on the principle
OF making the best possible of their time for their
own profit, the outs should take their places 50
that while party spirit has put men into Office it has
hitherto failed to keep make them honest Patriot
ism, then, seems to be the only principle to BE- relied
on for official honesty, and when this is known to be
the only passport 10 Offices of trust and profit the
number of the honesl and capable" will increase.
That the present time is proptious to attempt the pro-
duclon OF such desirable result must be evident to
every
The President Of the United States is without a
party in the partisan acceptation of the term indeed
his peculiar enemies" have often tainted him with
assurances of the fact but then there vast
Der OF honest and moderate men IN both parties who
are disposed to judge him fairly, to try him by his
acts, and approve or condemn the evidence of
these These constitute as good party as any Pre-
sdent need DESIRE who looks only to the strict per-
Torrance of his duty, with eye single to the good
of the whole country. At such time this, then,
it would be strange indeed, if there could not be
found in the country suficiency of honest, capable
and patriotic men, to perform faithfully the duties
quired by the public service. That many such are
needed, few, if any, seem to doubt, and though we
ourselves have long felt satisfied of it, we have had
the necessity more forcibly impressed our minds,
by reading some extracts from MIR. Poindexters re-
port in relation to the New York Custom-House.