The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-04

4 80 must eitner appoint no one, or not appoint
american Citizens We know ofnone who are CT
tizens who are not politicians, or even--each az
Ter his own method-active politicians. The
term active politician is vague and indefinite
borrowing Its strength of Specification from the
force OF party prejudice. We have yer heard
the word rabid Wing or rabid Locofoco except
rom The lips OF such as in our opinion most rich
~ merlted the appellation themselves.
II Is our glory and our boast that we are all
poiltlclans-that every citizen has an immediate
interest in the measures of the Government,
that knowledge is so widely disseminated as to
reach every man in the Republic, that every
man is taught to watch the acts of those dele
gated to discharge the duties of Legislators, and
that every man is competent TO form an opinion
of the measures proposed by the servants of the
people. II is our boast that Americans are citi-
zens OF free country, and not likethe serfs and
peasants of Europe, the mere subjects of an ire
sponslble power claiming its authority by in
herltance and right divine. 1t is our boast,
then, that all our citizens are politicians
and It follows as consequence that every Of
hce from that ofthe President, the highest in the
gift OF the people, to the lowest must be filled
by politician If it were not, it would no
be filled by an American. We conceive that
none of the citizens of this free republic would
wish that numbers should be found in it so apa-
thetic as to feel no interest in the measures pro-
posed to promote its prosperity-and if interest
is felt-it at once enlists the man that feels il
IN the ranks OF some party, or at least supposes
that he has opinions, the expression of which
has defined his position in political society.
While we boast that every man here is polit-
cian how can we condemn the President for APP
pointing politicians to office2
| But it is objected that he extends Executive
patronage to his own friends only. The charge
in this shape appears inconsistent with the ac
cusations proceeding equally from those who
claim the title Of Wings, and those who demo
inmate themselves Democrats-or it demon
strates that he has numerous friends in both
parties. Suppose the charge true, what then
Would you have him to select his enemies in
stead of his friends in his appointments to Of
Officer Suppose two applicants Of equal quail
cations-one friend of the Administration, and
the other its opponent We do not say, that
they openly avow their opinions in the way we
represent, but their sentiments are known to be
such that if enunciated they would take the fol-
towing form one says, sir, wish an Office under
you-l am politically opposed TO you, and shall
use every energy | possess TO thwart the acts
of your Administration, and to elevate to the
station you now hold, one whose policy is in
contradiction to yours you may be honest and
patriotic in the measures you propose you NAV
think them the best calculated for furtherng the
prosperity Of the country-but differing from you
in opinion, shall do all in my power to prevent
them from being carried into effect. With the
knowledge that an applicant is actuated by such
sentiments, would not President be guilty of
an act utterly suicidal, subversive of his notions
of what is demanded for the prosperity of
the country, were he to confer on such an
individual an Office of importance sufficient
to paralyze IN any point the move
ments of the Government Such liberality
of conduct is in opposition to the plain dc
tates OF common sense and common hon esty-
il is wholly pfeposerous. An Administration
conceives the success of certain measures of
vital Importance to the interests of the country
and is supposed to strive with all its energies,
TO bring them into operation, and, in the face of
its palpable duty, is expected TO make show Of
liberality by assisting the enemies Of those mea-
sures in their opposition! The idea is too alb
surb TO be entertained for a moment
Ability for the performance Of the duties
which will be imposed upon him, is not the only
qualification requisite in an applicant for office.
He must be induced with other qualities, some
OF positive character, others Of a negative de-
scliption. These are too obvious to need eabo
rate enumeration. One of the latter class we
have commented on. While mere difference
of opinion on measures of policy untainted by
partisan feeling and unaccompaned by parti-
san activity does not constitute a bar to APP
pointment, il is plain that no administration can
effect those objects, of which zeal for the public
good prompts it to struggle for the attainment,
II It arms Its opponents against itself. To do
so, would unnerve its own friends and be inju-
rious to the interests of the nation
| We cheerfully publish the following note
Misapprehensons may frequently occur from
the difficulty Of hearing distinctly, amid the
noise of loud conversation of the members on
the floor. 1t may happen unntentionay also,
in the endeavor of giving condensed view of
what has been said by selection of words not
conveying the exact shade of meaning which
the speaker meant to communicate Errors, no
matter from what source originating, we shall
always cheerfully correct, and we do so with
especial good will in the present instance:
House OF REPRESENTATIVE
~ February 3, 1912.
Sir In your editorial of this morning. on the SUBJ
ject of resolution offered by Mr.. Adams, calling