Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-04-09
FOR THE Enquirer.
TUN TIE nS.F tUTH
TO THE PEOPLE OF vfRGINIA-[No. III

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
TO THE PEOPLE OF vfRGINlA-INo III
THE REMOVAL OF PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR PARTY ESDs,
Or, Professions mhcn OUT, and Practice mhen ~.
The opponents Of President Van Buren, asserted,
that he struck from the public service capable and me-
ri,orious officers because their political opinions were
hostile to his own; and that every removal OF public
officer for party ends fragrant wrong, which
grossly derogaed from the dignity of the President and
the freedom of the citizen. Throughout the nation,
that was the constant and the favoritc theme on
which loud mouthed demagogues and vena editors
daily avished the Glitter of their tongues and the We.
nom Of their pens. General Harrison himself rang
abundant changes upon it, and made it subserve his
aspiring Aims He and hiss crafty co-adjutors CONT
nuolly declared that the right to express sentme
and opinions of public and public men, was Il
great and equal right; that 1t feeble excite Of
foreign oirin and rrecnrious growth, but vigorous
railvc Of free and eI tile SOL, aud always f1nrshed
in the open air; that, under the eaions confinement
and perncious treatment of President Van Buren, this
favortc native had dwindled to sck'y shrub that
feared to raise its delicate and pallld head and that
the gentle hand of Whiggery would revive it, bera,e
il from disgraceful thradom and strengthen and ex-
pand it into that hardy tree which bolt of Presiden
tal thunder would attempt 10 cleave.
Ina public speech which General Harrison deliver
ed Cleveland Just before the Presidential election he
pointed to public officer who stood in the crowd, and
said: 81 see the way public officer although he
may oppose me, If he does SO honestly and conscen
tously, shali be the las disturb him On
many similar occasions that feeble character repeaed
the Nor did this language cess. after he reached
the Presidency, aud attained his ends He continued
TO employ it, after all The ordinary inducements 10 de.
ceve his fellow citizens had wholly expired He had
advocated the speediest rotation in the Presidential
service, and pledged his sodierly honor I, continue IN
the Government only for n single term This pledge
gave Of candor 10 the President elect as he ira
versed the country, and freely scattered his promises
pardon the Democratic officers, .gho had homes silly and
conscientiousy disputed his superior fitness Tor The
highest station in the Government.
On his way from Ohio, to assume the reins Of Co.
vernment at the Federal city, he announced this pal
donng purpose to his assembled ellow-ct gems in Bal
tmore and Washngtn proceeded to Richmond, where
he addressed the people and repeated the same; and
manifested busting anxiety t, return 10 Washington,
to relieve the officers there from their dstressu fears
In both Houses OF Congress, his ,rusly supporters
hailed and appauded this deceptive determination Of
the President elect Wing editors and politicians bold
y endorsed this promise, and daily declared that, for
pot opinions, no honest and capable officers should
suffer from the conduct of President Harrison tow ards
them. (See Richmond Whig)
On the 4th of March, 1911, President Harrison, in
his inaugural discourse, proclaimed this promised gene
rosity 10 his political opponents, deprecated the preva
lence Of party strife, denounced the practice Of pro-
scription hateful and understandable augmentation
of Executive power, and exolled the fabric Of Amcr
can freedom above all ancient fame. Even the apho