The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-11
MR.. VAN buren, AND THE OFFICE
HOLDERS.

More than once we have heard it objected to MIR
Van Buren, that if he should again obtain the Pres
dency il viii be a sort Of restoration of the Bour-
bons" and that those who were expelled from office
with him will be reapponled We have heard IL
said that Ibis will bring back great many managing
and intriguing politicians, conservative in their IN
clnations as old office holders apt to be-that
is to say inclined to uphold whatever public abuses
have taken root and disposed to use the influence OF
their offices for selfish purposes, which long experience
has enabled them TO do sklllully.
We state this objection as strongly as breyity will
allow that our readers may see IT IN ITS lull force
There two classes OF persons by whom IT is made
jim the first place. those who want Office themselves,
and who imagine that their chance will be better
with some other for President; and in the second
place those who have a well founded Jealousy oil
craft and selfshness. With the first Of these classes
have little sympathy and we believe the mass oil
the democracy have as ite but to Inc second Grass
we would y few words
If Mr. Van Buren, should again be President, no
doubt many removals from Office and appointments
Will be made. There are certain Offices the proprlety
of filling which with the friends OF the administration
is conceded all hands. From the other offices some
will doubtless be dismissed for incompetency or mis-
conduct, something improper in the manner in
which the offices were obtained. We sincerely hope
however that there will not be any thing like gene
raj expulsion Of men from the subordinate Offices of
government, without regard to their capacity and
fidelity and solely order to reward selfish crowd
of partisans who fought the battle with no better
tive than to share in the plumber. On the contrary,
we hope to see Mr.. Van Buren, following the noble
example Of Gen. Jackson, who in regard TO removals
from Office, pursued most manly and magnanimous
course He was reyed, we recollect very well, by
the wings, Tor what they falsely called his sweepng
removals" he complained of, on the other hand,
| by many in the democratic party, for not making the
removals more general but the old chief went on ia
king counsel only Of his of rectitude and
regard for the public service; and though he might
sometimes make mistakes in regard to individuals,
yet right and equitable, and worthy of the man
and Of the high office he filed, was the line of con-
duct he adopted in this respect that il followed
by the general appreciation of his countrymen
Still there will be appointments to be made, and
the question is whether by eecting Mr. Van Buren,,
also elect 10 Office those who formerly held Office
under him. If look at the history Of parties in
this country, we shall see that when party which
has held the ascendancy regains it after being
expelled for time, there little done in the way of
restoring to Office those who turned out in the
interim. AS general rule, their chance for obtain
| ing appointments is than that of other men.
When they are heard asking for office, their Compel
itors say them: C You have held office already
! it is our turn-you must stand aside stand
aside they find they must AT the late return OF the
Democratic party to power in this State, after an IN
eryal OF four years If we except Mr. Flagg and one
or two others whose disappointment mperious-
y called for by public opinion, who OF all the thou
sand office turned out by Governor Seward,
received their places back again? There are IN
stances, 10 DC sure IN Whlcn person displaced uil-
der circumstances Of great hardship ought to be
nstaed, and hope claims of this kind will be pro-
pery considered hen the Democratic party is again
| in power But, in general, he who claims Office
on the ground that he has formerly held it. only
gives the appointing power reason for refusing his
application Such is the experience of parties ht-
erto, and there is no reason TO suppose that the case
will be different if Mr.. Van Buren, is re. elected.
Besides, the appointment Of many of the Old Of
flee holders would, we fear be an act of too great
magnanimiiy to expect from Mr. Van Buren. ldany
of them, it is well known, not his friends there
are instances of this in Connecticut and in Maine
and some, it is said, who prolessedly friendly,
are covertly eXerting their skill in party manage
inent to prevent his nomination.
! We do not therefore any good ground for fear
ing the restoration of the Bourbons the return of
the conservative hack politicians to the Offices they
formerly held We hope no man will be prescribed
for having held an Office formerly but confess
the chances of this class do not appear TO very ia
vorable.