The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-24
COMMUNICATIONS.
Communicated.

COMM MICA TIONS.
Communicated
WING METHOD OF PRESCRIBING PRO
sCRIPTIoN.
We have already spread before the readers OF
the "Unionp sufficient details Of the practice Of the
wings, when controlling the patronage of the gen.
era government to convince all willing to listen to
the truth that notwithstanding their present protest.
atoms, they invariably prescribed those differing
with them in political sentiment. However, il
more proof is wanting their method of "proscrbing
prescription" at the time being, whenever they con-
ro the action Of State or municipal governments is
sufficient TO satisfy the most confirmed scepc. See
their administration of State patronage IN Kentucky,
where they have been in power for so long series
of years Not a democrat is permitted to hold
Office directly under their government, IN any coun.
ty of the State.
In Virginia--where our friends have generally
been in the ascendency since the foundation OF
the OF all the State offices
are held by wings. No man can dispute this fact;
and yet, when they found themselves, during the
past winter, with a majority of the legislature in
joint ballot they did not scruple to bring the head
of Colonel Rutherford to the block, openly declar-
ing, at the same time, that, as an officer, he was
both "capable and honest" and, as citizen, de-
serving as any man in the State. twill be long ere
OF IUIBct sndiHtltSS anu
cruel persecution to which that gentleman was sub
jected-a persecution according TO the open decla-
ration of the wing Legislative leaders) based solely
on political difference of opinion, and gloried in by
the party as an avowed act of prescription.
Within the past year they have regained COM
plete power in the States of Ohio and Maryland
and there, also, have piled the axe with such indus
vice, to "leave democratic offce-hoder as a me-
mento of whig clemency and toleration." Every
republican holding Office in either State has been
dismissed. None-no, not a single one--was
spared. But let us look nearer home--let US see
what our wing neighbors in Alexandra Cd. c. have
lately been about.
On the 4th of March last, their newly elected mu-
nlcipal government were sworn into Office, and the
event was duly celebrated by sacrifice of demo-
Gratis employed under the corporation. They did
not mince matters, either in the act ITSELF in its
iustifcation for the decapation was extended even
dozen TO me ioatehmen receiving yor cents each per
night while reason was alleged for this proscrip-
ton, other than the fact that wings wanted office.
With this forcble illustration of the wing method
Of prescribing prescription Immediately under his
nose, the editor Of the Alexandria Gazette, among
others, has not neglected to turn up the whites of
his eyes at the few removals yet made by Presi-
der' Polk and his cabinet. We make this refer
ence to the remarks Of our friend of the Gazette
solely to show the public how little dependence is
to be placed in the political professions of wings
generally.
We have another apt illustration of federal con-
sstency here-at home-in the uniform spirit of
liberation with which the democratic party are
treated by the corporation of Washington, with
one of the editors of the Inteligencer Mayor Sea-
tony at their head Commencing with the mayor
atty, and going down through all the different Of
fees under the municipal laws, not one is held by
democrat. For this total exclusion Of republicans
from, public employment, no fair or unfair excuse
can be pleaded; nor can any man, in truth, call it
augh but vile and ruthless prescription. The same
course is pursued in their administration Of the mu-
nicpal government of Georgetown, the third city of
this District; yet, whenever 1t becomes necessary
that federalst shall be removed from office under
the general government in Washington, the respec-
tive organs of these three corporations the first
and most earnest in appealing to the country for
sympathy.
20, consistency, thou art jewel"
The fact is well known, that, at the time of the
accession of General Harrison's administration, a
large majority Of the employees of the general gov
eminent IN Washington, were opponents Of An
drew Jackson and Martin Van Buren---the first of
whom is styled by the wings ssthe father of the
proscrptve policy" This fact, however, is sufficient
proofto the contrary; and when considered, in
nexion with the two records of removals lately
published in the "Union''-the one showing the
number of office-holders removed during the twelve
years preceding the Inauguration Of Harrison;
and the other exhibiting the much greater number
of changes made during the ever-memorable one
hundred and fifty days of complete wing ascenden-
cy-most conclusivey answers the misrepresenta-
tons OF wing newspapers on this subject.
In treating this question, we have refraned from
comments ofour own on the data spread before the
public. We have relied solely on facts, which
speak louder than words to the minds of honest and
reasonable mem and, trusting that sufficient evidence
has been adduced to show up the hypocrisy of
whig professions, we take leave of this question,
until the next food of crocodile tears from our OPP
ponents may require sailing.
There is yet great disproportion between the
number OF federal and republican ofice-holders en-
ployed in this city.he former, of course, being the
largest. Among these, to be found many who
were provided for in 1871 and 1912, at the expense
of honest and capable democrats. Others have been
the most bitter reviers and proscrptve prosecutors
of the friends of the present administrations Others
again, were most active in 1910 in secretly furnish
ing garbed statements from the records in the pub
lie archives, upon which the charges against the adj
minlstraton were based, which eventuated in our
late defeat. Without presuming to speak "bu
AUTHORITY" we must he permitted to say that Presi.
dent Polk has given too great earnest of unfnching
devotion to the principles Of Jefferson, to justify
impression that he intends to allow this state of
things to exist, when he has the power to set mat
tiers right But it requires much time and great
caution on his part for serious obstacles stand in his
way The public interest might be materially in
jured by dsplacing too many experienced persons
at time, and filling their places with those who, of
necessity, require to learn the details of official busi
ness He is also beset by thoughtless political friends
who plead most earnestly each for the retention of the
one in whom he takes Interest," and to Withstand these
altogether, will require more nerve than has ever
yet been exercised by President of the United
States in. the administration of official patronage
Yet we have every to believe that the present
executive is thoroughly aware of the importance of
strictly carrying out the wishes of tho mass Of the
party on this subject; upon his doing which, the
success Of our principles mainly depend in the con-
test Of 1S48.
Communicated
Within the last few days we have heard rumors