The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-09-18

"reminiscences Ol the greatest OF modern Ora-
tors. Among other statements in regard TO Nj
Henry's opinions, it has the following in re-
lation TO what he thought OF an important
point Of the Constitution:
"He was opposed to the adoption Of the
Federal Constitution becuse he thought il
gave too much powerto the General Govern
ment; and, inconversation with the father
off late venerable Senator from Prince Ed
ward, he remarked with emphasis: The
President of the United States will always
come in at the head OF a party. lie will be
supported in all his acts by a party. You
do not now think much of the patronage of
of the President; but the day is comIng when
it will be tremendous, and from this powerihe
CO untry may sooner OF later fall"
This language was truly prophetic. Many
of Mr.. Henry's compatriols differed with him,
and thought there would always be enough
of sense ot duty and dignity in the President
and enough virtue in the people 10 insure
purity and impartiality in the administrations.
Time has falslied their opinions and sustain
ed those of Mr.. Henry. Presidents of The U.
States have been elected mere because they
were placed at the head of "a party, and they
have been supported in all their acts by a
party. General Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,
shaped their courses 10 suit their party, and
Mr.. Polk is but the creature of The party that
pnt him in power. Jackson was the first
President who professed TO regard himself
instructed by the people to perform certain
acts. He assumed the altitude of a public
agent bound by pledges 10 GARY out popular
mill He Aictatad To Cnnn,oSS tho ,,rCa
he thought it ought TO pursue, and told that
body in advance what he would and would
not do. He did not act as The advocates Of
executive power and patronage in the con-
yeniion which fromed the Constitution expec-
ted all those TO act who should be entrusted
with the duties of the executive Office. Those
patriots expected the President would con-
fine himself TO the prescribed duties of his
office, and only recommend measures TO the
Legislature. Jackson, however by constituting
the Constitution as he, and not they, under
Stood that instrument as enjoinlng on him the
duty ofpreScri5ing measures 10 congress-.
Under this unwarranted construction. he
did much towards concentrating all power
legislative as well as executive, ia his own
hands. He regarded himself as the Presi-
dent of a party, and scorned the will of all
who arrayed themselves in opposition TO him,
however numerous. He felt bound 10 do all
he could to sustain the party which sutained
him, and used the power and the patronage
of the Government for that purpose. The
minority party were utterly prescribed, and
regarded with no more favor than ifthey had
been a party in Great Britain. The patron
age of the President as was predicted by Mr.
Henry, became tremendous, and it was used
for the corruption of the people. Partisans
were rewarded for their services and devotion
to the President, and men, bankrupt in char
acter, were appointed to Offices in which the
money of The people was placed at the mer-
cy of their thleving propensities. In a word,
the 'spoils system" sthe most Ubiquitous sys-
lem ever devised ior the reward of unscru-
pulous parlisans at the expense OF the people,
was established. The fruits of this system
were soon manifest in numeisus defalcalions
An incalcula5le injury was inflicted on the
Country, Tor, not only were millions OF the
public treasure lost, but, what was worse,
a general depraviiy was seen among persons
intrusted with the funds of public Institutions.
The Sub-Treasury was On its legs, and the
sub-treasurers piled with great Business
The drain on the r~ascality of the nation tho
great was by no means equal TO its rapid
growth. Where one leg-treasurer left the
country for his country'S good, ten others,
anxious 10 follow his example, started up 10
fill the place vacated by his expairiation. The
demand for scoundrelism, created by the
spoils system, was amply supplied, and they
who could moi depredate on the Government
funds got up humble limitations of leg-trea-
uryism by making spoils of the property Of
widows, orphans, and private individuals.
The credit Of this system belongs to Jack
son. He breaihed the breath of life into il.
and did all in his power TO give it vigor and
longevity. Mr.. Van Buren,, the footstep-
follower, added greatly TO its prosperity by
his official appointments. The system of pub
lie plumber and official corruption reached its
climax under his fostering hand. Corruption
stalked abroad throughout the land, until the
people became disguised with lis bloated
form and alarmed at its bold front, and resell
we'd on IFS prosiration. The monster was put
down in the memorable contest of lS40. We
fear, however, that Mr.. Polk will lift it from
its grave, and warm it into life again by the
sunshine of Executive patronage.
There can be little doubt anywhere that,
if Locofocism shall succeed in establishing
the abuses and corruptions over which II glo-
aled during the Jackson-Van Buren, Admin
i~stration, a day full ofalarm to all true-hear-
ted patriots will draw on the country. Moth
ing but the vigilance of The Wings can pre-
vent a recurrence of These abuses. The I'M
scripulous, vindiciive, and undiscriminating
prescription pursued by Mr.. Polk is well cal