The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-06
PATRIOTISM AND PATRONAGE.

PATRIOTISM AND PAIRONhbE.
During the debate in the House OF Repre-
sentaliyes on Monday, some observations fell
from Mr.. Bovine, Of New York. and from Mr..
Pickens, of South Carolina, which will justify
the inference that the Globes trades against
the President are neither endorsed nor echoed
by all the Democratic members OF Congress.
Mr. Bovine very happily drew distinction
between the obligations TO party and TO country
The latter, in his estimation, are paramount TO
the former, and we think the People viii agree
with him. The time is coming when the Rep
resentatives of the People will be required 10
shape their conduct in accordance with The IN
terests of the country, and not with the rules
and regulations of this or that party.
Mr.. Pickens frankly declared his respect for
The Chief Magistrate Of the nation, and re-
marked tina, he had been unjusty abused. In
relation to the forced construction attempted
TO be put on the speech of Mr.. Gushing, deIiv-
cred some days since, Mr. p, after examining
the premises laid down in the speech, was
not disposed TO chime in with the opinions OF
the Globe on The one hand, or with the ultra
Wings on the other-but treated il with the
grave consideration to which it was entitled
He saw nothing TO carp at in the remarks Of
the gentleman from Massachusetts-on The con-
,rary, he approved and commended the position
he assumed in his rejoinder TO Mr.. Meriwelher.
But we attach the greatest importance to the
declaration Of the gentleman from South Caro-
lima, that his course ever had been, and would
continue to be, adopted in reference to certain
great principles, irrespective OF parties, and re-
CARELESS of the countenance or influence of any
Administration. We attach The greater i'm
portance TO this patriotic declaration, because
Mr. Pickens is regarded as one of the principal
supporters and advocates of Mr.. Calhoun. 1t
will at once put to flight the thousand ground
less rumors about a''coaliton," &c, between the
great Carolina statesman and President Tyler
That there is no hostility existing between
these two statesmen-or if perchance the most
friendly relations should exs, between them
il must henceiorlh be attributed to an identity OF
principles rather than to any bargain and cor
rup,ion."
Mr.. Calhoun, we understand, was never in
favor Of that kind of prescription which is
often adopted by those in power to promote their
personal interests. Hence il is said by his
friends that but few removals would occur du-
ring his administration, should he at any time
be elected President OF the United States.
Thus it will be seen that however favorably
the friends of Mr.. Calhoun nay be disposed 10
regard President Tyler, their motives are pure
and dsinteres,ed, beirg aciuaed by a similarity
of opinion on many of the important questions
before the country and not by desire for, or
expectation Of, appointments to office.
AS to our views in relation TO removals and
appointments, we hold 10 the opinion expressed
by General Washington, that it is a suicidal
policy for a President to retain men in office
who are opposed to his Administration Ii is
not only the desire, but the duty of every Pre-
sdent TO use every means in his power TO IN
sure the success of his measures Hence he is
unjust both to himself and his country TO retlin
those in power who seek to thwart his govern
ernmenlal purposes.
At this moment we believe there are many,
perhaps thousands, in Office, who are exerling
an opposing influence against the adoption and
success of the leading measures of the Admin
islration; and we do not hesitate 10 express our
conviction that the stern requirements of duty
demand their removal. Never, perhaps, was
there time when more professed politicians
individuals devoted TO certain men, and devoid
of all nciple-occupied positions under the
Government, than at the present moment.
In making appointments, the newsmongers
are certainly very much mistaken if they be-
lieve the President steps aside TO make selec
tons among Mr.. Calhoun's friends, or anybody
else's friends, merely because they are such, in
stead Of rendering office TO those Irrespective
of party who are not only "capable and hon
est" but who profess the same principles on
which the Administration is conducted, and
entertain friendly feelings towards the high
funciionay who calls them 10 his assistance in
carrying on the Government.