The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-28
COM UNIC Alto Ms.
EX-GOVERNOR MoRroN, on MAssAcnusErTs,


To the Editor of The Union:
We have already alluded briefly TO the charge Of
abolitionsm preferred by certain journals against
this distinguished gentleman, and have shown, we
think, that they exist only in the evil negotiations
Of their authors. There is but one other accusation
to which we shall refer. Il is alleged that, in his
administration of the Boston collectorshp, Governor
Morton has removed from office large number Of
democrats, attached, supposed to be attached, TO
Mr. Calhoun; while he has retained IN Office whole
horde of wing opponents, who had already been
many years in the public service. Neither part of
this charge is true. In the changes made by the
collector, so far democrats were concerned, we
perfectly satisfied that no reference was had 10
individual opinions and predictions touching
either past or future candidates for the presidency
Every democrat displaced displaced for good
and sufficient cause, Their cases were examined
with the utmost care and without prejudice. Where
II was believed the public interest required change,
the change was made; and certain il is that "Van
Buren, men" were in some cases removed as well
| as "Tyler men" and "Cahoun men," 80 in regard
| TO appointments: they were made without any In
qulry into the peculiar opinions Of the candidates as
To Mr.. Calhoun or any other prominent man. In
deed, so far from the truth is it that none were APP
pointed by the collector except Evan Buren, men"
as has been said it is fact, which we state on the
most reliable authority, that majority Of the new
officers were actually opposed to the nomination Of
that gentleman for the presidency. The truth is,
that, in filing up his subordinate Offices the collector
sought out such men as were repuled TO be intelligent,
| honest, Efficient whose characters were above re-
| preach and who had identified themselves by use
full and honorable serv with the democratic party
of the country. That his endeavors in this respect
were eminently successful, all will admit who are
conversant with the matter and we believe that
every democratic importing merchant of the city Of
/ Boston will bear witness to the advantages which
have resulted from the changes made, well TO the
! public as the government
As 10 that part of the charge which complains of
| the retention of wings in office, the reader may
| judge Of its foundation, and the weight to which it
is entitled, from the fact that, in the entire list of of
| icers attached to the Boston customs, under the
control of the collector, there not half dozen
persons suspected of tasoring the purposes and eff
! forts of the wing party, half that number OF
| open, avowed wings. AT no time during the TWEEN
~ years past has there been so small number OF
| federasts in the Boston c,istonl-house as at the
present moment The larger part of the offices
were filed by democrats when Gov. Morton enter
ed upon his duties; and the orty of officers re-
moved by him were appointed while the collector
ship was under the control of Mr.. Levi Lincoln.
From this brief statement oflacts, 1t will be that
the charge prescribing "Calhoun men, "and retain
Ing federalists in Office their expense has no more
substantial foundation than the other charge of alb
| clifton SIN; and that It Is utterly without basis To
stand upon. The motives in which it originated
and the purposes for which 1t has been promulgated
|
subject without entering our earnest protest against
such endeavors TO impair the usefulness and under
mine the influence of men who, in the darkest times
of adversely, as well as in the sunlight of pros
perty have stood the pillars Of our principles and to
whose calm wisdom and large experience we have
been accustomed to for counsel and for strength
In this case, the shafts of calumny are aimed at
one whose name has been as long identified with
| identified with the cause of democratic government
as that of the most distinguished of our statesmen
| Governor Morton entered political life young. He
| entered it as democrat; and he has maintained a
consistency of character seldom paraleled in the
history of public men. Every democratic admin
siraiion Of the general government since he came
upon the stage, has found in hni an unwayering
| friend. To Mr.. Madison lie lent vigorous sup.
port; and he shared largely in the confidence and
esteem of Andrew Jackson. In his own State, he
was for seventeen successive years the candidate OF
hs party for the highest office in the gift of the
people That party, In his first canvass, could give
| him but six thousand votes lie remained its car
didatc until under his prudent direction, it had add
ed TO that number fifty thousand more--making the
largest democratic vote ever thrown in Massachu-
sets. Another instance, probably, cannot be found
in our history where man has renamed so long
before the people as the candidate Of political
party subjected constantly TO the assaults of rec-
less and unprincpled adversary, yet as constantly
gaining in popularity and strength. None but a
man of the purest principles, of the most upright
character, Of the highest integrity could pass
through such an ordeal, and come out Of il, not
only unscathed, but, at each successive passage,
with a stronger claim upon the people than he had
before Such men the pillars of our political
organizations: and those who attempt to destroy
their usefulness, aim deadly blow at the existence
of the democratic party; while they who encourage
such attempts, fail to rebuke them cannot be its
true friends, or have its best neresis at heart
| u