The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-17


with which the duties of the office are not con-
cerned And when a state of things has thus
gradually arisen, IN which all, nearly all, the
offices IN the hands of one party made sys-
tema,icaly points or nuclei of influence in support
of that party, whether by the direction of patron
age connected with them. by contributions of mo-
ney for political expenses, or by other modes of
influence eXerted by men brought by official pns-
ton iuto contact with large numbers of their fell
low. citzens-it then becomes unreasonable To ex-
pect that new party coming into pnwer will
consent To leave these fortresses of Influence in
the hands oi their opponents. even were 1t free
from the pressure OF the great number at It's meri
torlous adheren,S, who often need them for sublis
tence, and urge their claims to them for reward.
Thus goes on the system from bad tn worse, by
alternate retaliation; its evils at every step both
Increasing and multiplying, until it becomes i'm
possible 10 reach them by any other than sumo
radical, organic remedy, directed not against the
abuses, but the system--nut against the symp-
toms, but the inner deep seated hume of the dis
ease.
Besides these 81 900, who will have thus given
up their hearts To the administration which had
the discrimination to call them to the public ser
vice, there will be a certain very large number
in waiting, apprehensive that their aid will be re-
qnired when they not at hand. What may be
the average number of these patient pa,riots any
>
ture. We are informed that there were, on the
LIST OF August last. upwards Of A, 900 applications
Tor places IN the Custom House at New York
City. As there but 400 officers about the es-
adjustment, including the collector. any of the
simple arithmetics will furnish rule to calculate
the proportion of candidates to officers in this par
ticuar case. Ii The same proportion should main.
tain throughout the United States. there would
be at the present time about 100000 Democrats
| Ivplv in,
whose hands are the issues of political favor, the
great advantage which the State would derive
from securing, with the least possible delay, their
valuable cooperation, and also the extreme devo-
lion with which themselves and their ia hers, I'M
I'll the third and fonth generation, had loved the
peculiar opinions entertained by the Government
upon whose elevation to power it was at this time
the special privilege Of the whole world to con
graduate itself
Without caring for any of the absolute certain
~ OF figures. we wish only to remind our readers
of what, when stated, their own experience will
promptly verlfy-that the political patronage of
orr government is annually devoted To populate
The land with active parlZans. made more active
by Influences independent of their convictions
Secondly, that, of these partizanS. hut small
proportion hold office, any official relation with
the government. Indeed. IL will occur To ALL
upon little reflection, that by far the must nu-
those who are not enjoying, but seeking place
who are earning their postion-who are not,
but always " to be blessed
Now let us glance for a moment al some of the
consequences of this state of things.
The theory of our Government make its pros
peTlty and success to depend upon the fairness
with which the people represented in the laws
Any tendency calculated to refract or misrepre-
sent the popular will, thereby becomes public
is IL
nizing mans capacity for efgovernment will
presume to deny; yet to fully appreciate it in all
It's length and breadth, it requires more amplifica-
ton than we have space or time 10 furnish. We
fear there is even in this country an imperfect
sense of the grave importance of having every
positive and accountable interest," however obscure
it may be- fairly represented in the making and
administration of the laws.
Now will any one for instant pretend to de-
ny that the 81 900 incumbenls of office and the
100000 who aspire to be. are not influenced in
their political action by what they do. or hope to
enjoy? Even surprising them all to he honest,
suppOsItl0n which. like the geomerlcal straight
line. can only be used alphabetically, still will
they not have selfish interest separate from that
which belongs to them as citizens and will not
that selfish interest lead them to select their opin-
ions and their allies with some slight regard to
other considerations than the public good2 Will
lIle( ldIh praise more lnOlSCrlmIn3teIY,
conceal faults errors with more than Christian
charity; labor and wrestle with neutral and flag.
gng friends, recaimabe foes, with a wilder
zeal or more contagious enthusiasm, more capti-
vallng indifference to private and personal CON
venlence than they wonld if their action had been
inspired solely by philanthropy and patriotism
We shall have done them great injustice all our
days if it be otherwise.
But let us suppose any considerable portion of
these political probatIoners TO be corrupt or cor
ruPtible-and this superstition let's down at once
from the imaginary region at which we were sus.
tanned by the last ypothess--suppose any CON
siderable proportion of these to be unscru pulous
men, and what mischief may they not be compe-
tent and tempted to do! All that vast floating
vote which has no fixed opinion and which takes
| IFS hue. like the unshelered meadow. from the
cloud which happens last to be passing over it.
! falls at once prey to their solicitations Bribery
is made to take the place Of argument, and pulitl.
cal Influence is offered as proof Of character Men
who have never wished to- or thought of doino
anything but attend to their own business are dis.
inferred from obscurily, and fatered with illusory
/ promises-their ambition becomes a passion, and
hurnes them on until they fall into some unhoIy
political alliance, offensive and defensive, where
by the State loses perhaps useful and industri,
Gus citizen, to gain msiDformed, indiscreet, and
good lor-noihing politician. IN this way every