Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-05-23

tSottCtcu uy tue CuoShe upOu " WHICH
are placed in other branches Of the gov
ernment, viz: in the Senate, by an abso.
lutte veto upon the most important Of bis
selections, and in each branch Of the leg
islature, BY an equally absolute negative
upon the appropriations necessary to their
compensation. Il is nevertheless true,
that this control over the distribution Of
public patronage, is, in its tendency, ad-
verse 10 a pure administration Of the inn
Portant trusts which the people have com.
mlited to their agents. Experiences has
shown that there is temptation in the
possession ofthis power, 10 iIs abuse
which cannot be effectually guarded a.
galnst by human laws, and against the
lnhI ence of which even honest and pa.
t'Iotic men not unfrequenlly find it difi>
cult TO guard themselves. With all'the
restraints imposed upon its exercise, it
may still be welded BY the Executive to
influence widely the action Of his associ.
ates in the public service, to secure and
PerPetuate his own authority, for the az.
grandzement Of his personal adherents,
and to depress those who. though they
may possess the strongest claim upon the
public confidence, have not the good for.
tune 10 stand in that relation to the ap.
pointing power. Il would be honorable
TO human nature, if we could Aatier our.
selves with the belief that such have not
been, or the hope that such will not in
future be, the result OF it's exercise
but experience unfortunately teaches us
different lesson; and from the fallibie
nature OF man, we are scarcely allowed
to hope that il ever will be Otherwise
10 encourage an hOnest observer of
sound political principles, By the dspen.
sation OF patronage, is, fear, an adVanI.
age seldom ifeVsr realized under any
government. lie tendencies, there is
too much reason to apprehend, have been
IN genera, far otherwise. For this evil,
and grave one it is. thore is but ono
efsctual remedy. When we cannot dis
psnse with the officers, we must diStrib>
ute as widsl as possible tho power of
appointing them. To make this remedy
more etfectual, il is always wise to re-.
servo ths selections Of public officers, us
far as practicable and convenient, to the
people themselves. Il Is not an EASY
matter to keep individual action in pub.
lie affairs who'll free from the influence
in some form Of personal interest. That
of the macs of the people, is, on the CON.
Hary, almost invarsbly disintereSted, and
seldom, it ever, fails to come right in tho
end. As much'pOwer over appointment
as Is deemed really necessary TO enable
the Executive to perform his responsible
duties, should be lett to him. OF all be.
You'd that, and which can he as we'll ex.
ercised by the people lhemse Ives, or 9th
erwiSe, he should, by constitutions
meanS, be diveSisd. The possession of
the excess is decidedly adverse to the
healthy action OF the department. No
right minded man, occupying the Pres.
dental chair, after he has had an oppor
unity To Judge by experience Of its eff
'scls, will desire to possess il. From thiS
prolific source proceed most OF ,
The temptations which draw the ambi.
IiOus politician from his duty TO his con
While the veto is generally
applied to questions exclusively of public
concern, and is exercised under persOn-
II responsibility which will moi be incurred
except with great reluctance, and car
les in which there is q strong reliance
ipOn The public judgment for support, :
mis- power iS peculiarly adapted to the J
Inisler purposes of ambitious and selfish !,
'sPiranIs. 1t is therefore by diminishing Z
HE executive power, and not that Of the
'etO, which IS least liable 10 abuse, and
las been thus far uniformly exercised for !
ne public advantage, that our states m IN :.
AN render the most essential and doubt :.
'Ot' the most acceptable service to the !,
ause o! she people. Te accomplish this " J,
'reat and sal utary object, presents a : J,
roper held far the patriotic exertions of \ I,
u who think II wise, ss do, 10 keen a
salous eye upon Executive authority, and Y Y
upon iIs administration Of the = !.
uOlic patronage. Placed at the head Of !" :"
ne committee upon appointments in the :
OnVeniion for the amendment OF the - ::
constitution in my own State,. took an ~
cllVe, and hope not an inefficient mari.
carry out this principle, as far as, with A
10 lights which experience had then az
'rded, thought we could safely no. Az
lose lights multiplied. | united iH giving ha
still wider range; and am we'll sAtiS. an
ID that periodical review OF the suh. in
ci By the legislature and people, with "a
awe TO iis still greater extension, would r.
eminenily useful. as well in the ad. I,h
nislEation Of the Federal as OF theSta,o h.
'vernments. Dl
To your last intorrOQatory, unhssiia. to
ely answers Yes. The democracy Of Ou
Union will not fail, ss | am sure thew 10
ght not, 10 adopt every proper precau. no
70 secure, through tho instrunentai. SC
OF the convention they propose TO hold
honest and full expression Of Ihe wish wr
md opinions Ofa majority Of their DO. dis