American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-24
SATURDAY MORNING, MAY ri, ls45,

DrscorrENr. So long as there are more
app,icln,s for offices than Offices TO be filled,
there viii be disappointment and djscontent.-
Tl. amounting power has a delicate and diff
cult duty to discharge, and can hardly, under
ary circumstances. expect TO give satisfaction
orlo a-..or jcauuclauOn, however impartial
IL ami honestly disposed. There are Pdrthi-
an, III politics, who never mngIe in the strife
uatl assured that they have selected the side
which must prove victorious; and who general
!; eontriye to get the "hon's share" Of the
spoilS These politicians usually monopolIze
the Offices to the prejudice of others, who
shave borne the heat and bnrthen of the day."
and hence gIoat dissatisfaction exists in the
triumphant party the moment the appoint
ments are made. 1t is surprising to witness
the deep rnauuuvring, the double dealing,
winch are sometimes practlced to deceive the
appointing power, that particular interests
may be secured. The man Of principle be-
comes disgustcd and retircs, leaving the field
fot corrupt politicians "to hustle in" for he
cannot consent to participate IN scenes where
public offices, national or state, are tralticked
for as merchandise. In fact the man who OBJ
tains a thorough insight into party manage
rnent must be blind if he do not discover, that
a few individuals pull the wires fer their own
emolument, whilst the mass of the people are
made to dance as puppets at their bidding.
We have been led to make these remarks by
observing, in some of the democratic papers,
great dissatisfaction expressed at some of the
appointments made in this city by the general
government and from hearing loud murmurs
of discomfort amongst members Of that party
in Baltimore. We have heard more than we
Snail repeat upon the subject of these appoint
ments, for it is not our business any farther
than that we like to see Justice done in all
cases If the principle must be recognized and
reduced to practice, that "to the victors belong
the spoiIs," the appointing power should en-
deavor to make the division amongst the most
deservng-and such 10 doubt would be the
case at all times and in all parties, ere it not
that secret influence is too often e1erted to
deceive the appointing power, and to place IN
Office those who have rendered the least ser
vice. We do not profess to be acquainted with
the merits or dement's of those who have been
appointed or disappointed by the general gov
ernment; but we do know, that loud complaints
Of injustice are made, and that untarness in
the proceeding is openly charged.
Happy would it be for this country, were
the public authorities to return to the prnC
pies which governed Jefferson and some of hi
successors, in regard TO appointments. W.
should then have the public offices filled BY
men of integrity, of worth and capacity, anc
not by political hacks, or men who look alon'
to the Give loayes and two fishes" But W,
have unfortunately abandoned the principles o
Jefferson and the usages of the fathers of the
republican party, and have struck into new
path, which, We apprehend, may finally lead
to the subversion of our government. Our
political struggles are no longer for great mea-
surcs Of policy, but for distribution of the
sools; and he who is most reckless and unscru-
puous-who will 'strim his sails to suit the
galc''-is generally the most successful when
the loves and fishes are TO be shared. This is
melancholy contemplation for the patriot
for the man who prefers the glory of 'our
country" to the triumphs of faction. But, Sc
long as the people can be drilled into submits
sion by political drill-sergeants, the evil, We
fear, will be without remedy.
ANAcosTA FIRE COMPANY. This company,