Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1845-06-06
Pdrfu proSrrinf;o,

, In abiding to the reckless spirit of proscrip-
ton for opinions sake, which has been, and is now,
going on with the most industrious,and unrelent.
ing hand, at Washington, we find the Charleston
Mercury using the suboined extract from re-
port Of Mr.. Caihouns. He was then Chairman
of committee in the Senate, ito inquire into the
extent Of the Executive Patronage, the circum.
stances which have contributed to its great in.
crease II late, and the expediency and practical
bility ofredacing the same, and the means of such
reduction"
II is too we'll known to admit of a Doubt. that
prescription for opinions sake had its origin in the
administration of General Jackson. The exam.
pie, then set, has been, is now being, carried ont
TO the letter. Ii any thing, "Youny Hickory" is
beating the "Old Hickory" in the way of cutting
of heads. Blu; to Mr. Calhoun's view upon This
ruthless species of tyranny. The report from
which the following extract was taken. was made
in 1885.
"A; the head Of these shosd be plsced the praetee 40
greatly extended, not for the first time introduced of re-
moving from Office persons well qualified and who h,d
faithfully performed their duiy in order 10 m their nI,c.
VITA those who are recommended the ground that thew
belong 20 the party IN power
"Your committee feel that they are touching propnd
which may be eonsdeIed OF party character and which
possible consistently with the discharge of their d
ty they would wholly avoid their object il "a, ,noni,s
facts only. contributing increase the patronas, of
the Executive, without looking 10 Intention desiring 10
cast censure those IN but while they woud can
uously avoid any remark Of party character rs neon
sistent with the gravity Of the subject and incompsbls
with The intention OF tie Senate in directing the INQUIRY
they that they 2abe OF shrinking from the ne
torrance oil the important and solemn duty conded 10
them. OF thoroughly invesg ting bottom sub.c
involving as they believe, the fate Of political nsf
futoa and the Liberty of the COUNTRY b, DECLINING N
investigate July and freely rs regards its character and
consequence, practice Of the
connected with the inquiry whether has has not been
SUBJECT Of party controversy.
In speaking OF the practice Of removing from Office on
party grounJ a. OF recent date and OF course comnfe
bended under the which have sf late
to the increase Of executive patronage your committee are
aware that cases OF such removals may be found in the
early stages Of the but they are 30 few and
exercised 50 little influence that they may said to con-
siiue instances rather than forming practice. II IL
only within the last few that removals from oe,
sYe been introduced system; and for the first tin. nm
opportunity has been afforded testing the tendency of The
practice, and witnessing the mighty which Il has y
en- 10 the force Of executive patronage; entire and
fearful change conjunction with other eectnp
IN the character OF our political system Nor will IL re-
quire much reflection TO perceive in what manner IL con
tributes TO increase vastly the of executive pa
ironsge.
SO long offices considered as public trusts. 10 he
conferred on the honest, the faithful capable for the
common good and for the benefit or gain Of the ineu
bent or hs party and long it the practice the
government TO continue in office who faithfully pe
formed their duties ITS patronage in point of fact was
limited TO The mere power Of nominating accidental va
eancies or to newly created oces and eond Of course
exercise but moderate influence either over the body Of
the community, Of the Office holders themselves: bur
when this practice reVersedwhen Offices instead Of
being considered as public trusts 10 be conferred on the
deserving regarded the spells Of victory TO be be-
slowed as rewards for partisan services without tespec 10
merit; when IL 10 be understood that all WIN hold
once mold by the tenure OF plrzaG zeal and party service
bensy To zee that the certain, Direct and ten
deney Of such Of taings Is 20 convert the entire
BODY OF those IN ohee ino corrupt and supple instruments
OF power and to raise up host Of hungry greedy and
subserven parisans feIdy for oycJy SERVICE however
base and corrupt. Were premium offered Tor the best
nesns OF extending to the the power OF patronage;
TO destroy the love Of country, and TO substitute spirit Of
subserveney and m1n-woshpj encourage vice aud dis
courage vriuei and 10 word prepare for the subyor-
sion Of liberty and the establishment Of despotjsm No
scheme porec, could be devscd and such must be
the tendency Of the practice, with whatever intention adopt
ed, or 10 whatever extent pursued.
As connected with this portion Of the inquiry your CON-
mitiee cannot avoid adyefng the practice similar IN s
character and tendency growing out Of the act Of the 18Th
OF May lo2O which provides, among other things that
from and after its passage, all district attorneys COLLECTOR
and other dsbursng officers therein mentioned 10 be 3D.
pointed under the laws VI the United States shall be 40
pointed for the term Of four years. Thc object Of Con-
gfes9 IN passing this act was, doubtless enforce more
faithful performance Of day The part " the disbursug
omcefs ~ withholding re-appointmenis from those who
bad not faithfully discharged their duty, without intending
10 reject hoSc who had. ~ first the practice eonsu,ed 10
the intention q the law, and thereby good intended was
accomplished without materially increasing the patronage Of
which has. ia the opGion II your COMMITTEE defeated the
object Of the act aud at t1e Tine added greatly 10
the influence Of patronage. Fsithfu performance of duty
no longer ensures renewal Of appointment The eopse.
quenees Is neyiabc feeling Of dependence on the o1s
cuve on the part Of the incumbent increasing his term
nppfosohts fs end, with great increase Of number
u Hose who desire bis place, followed by active com.
petition between The occupant and those who seek his place
accompanied by oil toso acts Of compliance end subser
Viency by which iseOncsted and Of course Wild
cOrep udng increase Of the number Of those nuenced
by the executive will. .
This Report !. published In the collection NJ his speech.
60 Amongst the prominent Of tho incrcase Of
Exc euse Patronage Of late, he places the practice Ore
moving men from cce party grounds alone. We sob.
NIT to our readers this part Of tho report and ash Cor hsr
beet consideration IL the language Of wisdom, honesty
nod pauiosm, and IL becomes every Csrolnisn 10 weigh
we'll tho matter for before consents the intro
doeon among Of the corrupt snd eouuping principle
that men 10 be rewarded by tho President aiding in
he sleeiion-ihn tho Offices Of the country are Tho