The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-05
From tie Nashville Union.
MEN OF LETTERS.

We venture 10 say that President that ever filled
the Executive Chair gave substantial encourage
to 1.-THE republic Of letters, than Gen. Jackson.
With that nnerring and due appreciation OF mental
faithful and fearless" advocacy Of Truth, he called
to Of the most responsible posts in the Govern
ment gentiemen connected with the periodical press
and the fidelity with which their public duties was dis
charged proved to be every way satisfactory to tho
Government.
The Administration Of Mr.. Van Buren, was cha
racterised by similar liberalty towards the press.
Many Of the most eminent writer's Of the country
invited into the public service and a. specimen
Of their high sense of the honor conferred we may
cite the conduct Of Gro. BANcRoFr the collector Of
the Port Of Boston, whose every act Of official con
duct YVES perfect pattern and who voluntarily lay
down his commission Al 10 O'Clock the day that
the President who appointed him left the Executive
Office.
We have heard much railing at the policy Of APP
pointing editors to Office by all parties but it generally
emansacs from demsgoeues who would monopoize all
the offices themselves, and who would prescribe any
set of men to facilitate their own advancement.
It 10 due to the memory of Gen. Harrison to say,
that, while we dissent from every principle upon
which he was elected, and believe him 70 have been
surrounded by as corrupt set Of advisers ever
surrounded the seat Of Power, still the patronage
which he extended Of letters IL, nntwhstAnd-
ing its exclusive partisan character, part of his ad
mnistration that will show brighter in history than
any other.
And We see that President Tyler is not unmndiul
of the merits Of this class Of citizens who suffer
from the envy of the ignorant and the SANDER
of the wicked than any other On the 9Th instant he
nominated WASHINGTON IRvlNa for enlistment into
the diplomatic corps of the nation abroad as Minis
tor to Spain and Mr. BLACKBOARD, late editor of the
Virginia Arena, a. Charge d,fAfans 70 0esota- The
lattar though differing with US in political opinion
is reputed to be perfect gentleman and ripe scho
lar-and no selection that could have been made
would have been acceptable to the press gene
rally than that of Mr.. IRvMG.
The truth is, that the people themselves ksosc who
the laborers in the national fields, who make the
greatest sacrifices in keeping up that healthy motion
of opinion which preserves the State. Seldom is q
murmur heard from them at the encouragement of
those who devote their lives to the investigation of
political economy, and assiduousy pursue the
that their cOnscences dictate in tho discussion
Of public policy The murmur, if there be any, is
generally found the lip of the demagogue and it
obtains so far only as demagogues bear sway,
We look upon public Office not conferred directly
by the people among the things that are least des
rable. Nothing is sacred than the obligations
Of official trusts and if they TO tie distributed as
compliments to those most worthy of public regard,
we know not why those whose whole lives are devo-
ted to the diffusion of intelligence and the defence of
our institutions should be prescribed Moved to these
reflections in quiet hour, have no other motive
in printing them than as measure OF justice to the
press.