Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-05-01
Volume IV$$:;;a=Number As.
NepOtisn,.

Il
Practice, quite common among ministers of State in
all countries, Of feathering the nests of their rela
tIves with the plumes of Office. 1t is derived from the
Latin word Nepos, literally grandson, but signify
ing, IN more enlarged sense, DESCENDANT or pos
terity, kindred, or relative. TL1s it may mean
cousin, as well as grandson; though the
most usual sIgnications those of descent or pos
terity In the political acceptation of the term il
means the distribution Of Offices among the sons sons
in-law, brothers, cousins, unces, and even auIfs of
the distributor; and suppose 1t originally
called nepotism, taking care of descendants, be-
cause sons and grandsons and nephews were the per-
sons usually selected for such patronage Thus among
the Romans in the days of their republic, the arisoc
racy called the Senate had most of the official patron
age and they divided it among sons and other de-
scendants and not brothers and other coaterals, be-
all the latter members of this distributing
arstocracy and therefore well provided with loaves
and fishes. So among the English, who are governed
by rich ogarchy the distributors of the patronage,
being wealthy, use 1t provision for sons neph-
ews and grandsons, who need it, and not for each
other, who need it not But however might be
fined among the. Romans, Venetians, Genocse, and
others of ancient and middle ages, the descending
line, 1t now spreads in all directions, embracing both
descendants, collaterals and progenitors. modern
statesman shows his nepotsm in providing for his ia
ther, father-in-law, uncle, aunt grandmother,
much as In cherlshing his son, grandson or neph
ew.
Our Federal government has been greatly distin-
guished for nepotsm, within the last few years. Mr.
Adams, when President obeyed the Scriptural injunc
ton to provide for his family and thus proved that he
was better than an infdel. With General Jackson,
the fact OF relation, private friendship,
conclusive recommendation for Office. Fortunately
for the country, he had few relatives. But like
faithful guardian of his household he made the
Of what he had and so the country obliged to
take the will for the deed. But Mr.. Van Buren, was
worse than infdel. He would not provide for his
family. He seemed insensible to the claims of kin
dred, and no more thought of giving an Office to a
son, or niece than to a stranger He did make
his private secretary. But that is office of
emolument; and besides, MIR. Van Buren, being wild
ower and his son having wife, and she being
complished woman, and the White House requiring
female head, and of the Presidents family too, this
appointment of his a necessity. But except
ing this of necessity, Mr.. Van Buren, seemed
without natural affection, far official patronage
was concerned.
General Harrison did not live long enough to ex-
hibit any nepotism, and therefore know not how
he would have viewed the subject. But as he was
much addicted to talking about Roman rirtue take
for granted that he would have avoided Roman rice
and so have abstaned from nepotism If he did quote
Romans quite enough, he selected udiciouSy, taking
only the best of Them But under President Tyler's
administration, and 'sorrow sooth" we say IT, nepo-
tism fourshed considerably in this community"
Dlckey Riker used to say The President was rather
afectionae to relatives but of his cabinet were
the most warm-heared set Of fellows that obbed
for family. MIR. Wickliffe and Mr.. Wilkins were
rather coldhearted in this business; but some others
that could mention never forgot the ties of blood
The practice is founded in some of the best instincts
of humanity.
Mr. Polk says that he will have no nepotism, and
trust that he will keep his word. Some meet this
by saying that he has diplomatized relative.
But he did this reluctantly being importuned by po
ltical friends. Doubtless the place will be creditaby
filled but the President would have preferred one free
from the objection of nepotism. We hope and trust
that Mr. Polk will not only avoid this for himself but
viii set his face against it in members of the Cabinet
Senators and Representatives. We do not like to see
high governmental officers hanging about the White
House to job for their families. 1t promotes PresI-
dent-making and corruption. Let one OF Mr.. Folks
administrative maxims be No NepotiSn. Phiiddet-
Phia Ledger.
A MARRIAGE PoRTIoN--On the margin of sunny
lake lived farmers his shaded cottage was an object
of pleasure TO the mariner Of inland sea- and the
traveller could not refrain his commentator as he
passed the weted fields, rendered more attractive by
the pervading spirit of neatness and order. wife,
with two daughters shared the laborS and pleasures
of the farmer. One hundred acres was the extent
of the farm and the farmers capital was little more
than honesty industry, and health. need not paint
the family circle In its devotion to sacred duties, nor
its daily toil-the results will carry to every heart
a view of the path pursued. His eldest daughter
married. and he gave to her one-third of his farm,
her marriage portion. Notwithstanding this dlminu-
ton of acres he had the quantity of products as
formerly In due time his youngest daughter married
also, and he gave to her one-haf of what remained
and still the produce of his farm was not diminished
The secret was easily discoFered-he applied as much
labor and attention to the remaining onethird part
he had been accustomed to give to the whole farm.
Do you ask, how this applies to any of us Let me
explain. We divide our labor over too many acres
to afford sufficient culture to each; and we neglect
the aid of science, which teaches us to concentrate
the various means always within our conro and their
economical and appropriate application.
"ALIEGHANIA.,-Some of the anxious Sdrdns of
New York, desire to have the name of our country
changed to :. ALLEGHANIA" Inc Boston Courier
thinks better name would he Sc YANKEDoNIA, )" which
is the Turkish of the New WORLD" The New
York express poes in for "YANKEEDoonLEDUM"
The Providence Gazette suggests the last, with sim
pie addition, viz: YANKEEDooDlE-DANDYoM."
TARANp FEArHERs.-A Methodist preacher, whose
name, we believe, was living, attempted to. violate
the person of little girl about six years DID, so-e-
where the Atchafalaga, La, about two since
He was caught tarred and feathered rode on a rail,
and then put in canoe and turned adr in the Bayou
without oar or paddles of any kind.
Two Germans, twin brothers, who were intoxicated.
laid down on the evening Of the 23d ult the Phil
adelphia railroad Gunpowder river the in
side the track carried distance by the cow
hook and killed; the other, on the outside of the
track, did not awake till morning.
Philadelphia and left letter stating that he lost his
life according to the promise in the Bible that be
should thereby gain life immortal. Left family.