The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-25
Communications.
FOR THE MApIsoNIAN.

FOX THE MADlsoNIAN.
Mn EDITOR - believe that you were among the
first, if not the very first to call public attention to
the affairs OF Congress- and for this am told, you
have received anonymous letters from the House of
Representatives haunting you with the downfall Of
your paper. will not say that this is the best evi
dence of the cauterizing power Of truth, but will say
that it would have been disgrace to any other Con-
gress than this for any Of its members. to be guilty of
SO pltliul an act on any occasion But it must afford
you pleasure well every lover Of his country to
witness the spirit which is manifestng itself among
the People. We do not regard the great struggle
which is going on, one which pertains only to the
financial concerns of the country but it is TO deter
mine what are the ends of legislation, what our Go
vernment is established for and whether men are to
be employed under the character of Legislators, to
eectioneer for themselves to act for the country 1t
is contest between the politicians and the People,
between party spirit and American spirit.
The spirit Of party, begoten BY political legis-
lators, has struck its angs deep into the very fbres
Of our Government and if it is not destroyed or in
some measure rebuked, it will inevitably destroy our
institutions. If the great parties. which are ar
rayed against each other with feelings of almost ire
concilable hostility not broken up, and the
moderate men of each do not meet upon neutral
ground, in the spirit of compromise and patriotism
may safely predict, that they will be broken
up but will ride our country in succession like
the Angel Of Death, each in turn sappng the vitality
from Institutions. The remark has frequently
been made by intelligent men, that if ever destruc-
ton upon this country the seeds oft will have
been sown in Congress. The mannuvring the char
latanry the time deserving, the seeking after Office the
devices for frightening out the session. the proneness
endless speech-making and the party-drng, which
have transformed the duties of Legislation into sort
of magnificent gambling, wherein the People are both
played with and played for, but the benefit enures
only to the players--render close scrutiny into the
affairs of this body necessary 10 the welfare of the
country.
| But there is one practice which has gradually and
silently become important, which especially demands
attention. Notwithstanding all that ha, been said
about Executive patronage, no one at the seat Of
Government have failed to observe the encroach-
mens which have been made reference to the
power Of appointment to Office From the highly
| proper and respectful custom, introduced by our
| Chief Magistrates, of consulting members of Con.
grcss TO the qualifications of candidates 70: office
in their particular districts, the idea ms to have
obtained that members of the legislative branch have
right if not actually to appoint at least to demand
the appointment of, whomsoever it may be to their
| interest to recommend. And it has been supposed
that, frequently, offers have been made for sup
port in Congress TO favorte measures of the Execu-
tive if members of Congress could be accommodated
with offices for their friends We do not object TO
proper courtesy between the different branches of the
Government, but when this practice advances beyond
this, and assumes the aspect of bargaining, it opens
door for corruption and deserves the seyeres cen
sure. Such will not be the practice now
1t does not require great sagaciy to perceive that
II members OF Congress think proper TO give or with
hold their support to laws from considerations OF this
kind, and lay claim to be consulted in all appoint
ments, that the very reasons which they urge upon
the Executive (yiz their suppor for gratifying them,
may be urged by the candidates for office upon the
members themselves; so that the Executive may be
called upon to appoint, in order to the support
oil member, and the member to recommend in order
to secure the influence Of the candidate and his friends
IN behali OF the member. This is corrupt, a dan
gerous innovation, which we believe the present Chief
Magistrate will use his influence to correct We see
no reason why our Judicial officers might not as just