The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-20
From the Democratic Review for September
POLITICAL PATRONAGE.

(Concluded)
But few of our readers will not have already
anticipated the only adequate remedy TO these
numerous and alarming defects of our constitution
al system We must rely upon that great prnci-
pie OF human governmeni-the wisdom of which
1t has been the peculiar office of history FIR the
past three hundred years to teach, and of our own
political institutions to establish-THE REPRE-
SENTATIVE system Those for whose benefit
offices are created are alone competent to fill them
wisely. If there be any truth in the doctrine of
popular sovereignty. any wisdom in thetheory ut
political representation, then are our governments
conducted In hagrant and constant violation of the
ruin and wisdom ot both. If the people are wise
enough 10 elect Governor or n member of Con
gress. or the judges of the highest court of appea
in State like New York are they incompeten,
to select postmaster or the clerks of their courts
1T they can guide the legislature of the country by
their instructions through the profound mysteries
of the Tariff and the Sub Treasury scheme. can't
they he Trusted with the selection of their revenue
officers? To take the single case of posmasters
and their deputies. of which there are about 2eOOO
more or less, appointed by the General Govern
ment, can any one state anything purporiing to be
reason for surprising the Postmaster General
more competent TO fill any single pos -ofice in the
land, than the inhabitants of The district for whose
convenience it is established. Are there anv
grounds for surprising the people less competent
than the Executive to select our commissioners
our inspectors, our surrogates our prosecuting at
tornles. our comptrollers of finances nav our Pre-
sldents? If there he, we will engage that those
reasons shall be just conclusive against electnu
our members of Congress, or the Supervisors of
our counties. There either is some virtne in the
doctrine of popular representation or there is none
1t there he any, we desire to enjoy its fruits, if
none, let us have done with il allopether. and
leave the making and the execution of the laws 10
those who are taller or shorter, blacker or whittier.
more coTpnlent or more lean, richer or poorer
older or younger. or IN some other way seem to be
providentialy distinguished from their kind to
discharge the business of government
1t will be observed by our readers. upon SLIGHT
examination. that the objections we have stated to
the excessive patronage of our executive officers
would, for the most part, be obvated by distribn-
ting 1t among the people. There would then be
no more buying up public opinion with Govern
ment offices. Town and county legislation wonld
no longer be bound mp with the State. nor could
the State legislation be involved with that of the
General Government. Political parties would be-
come flexible, and adapt themselves to the vary.
ing interests OF every class and every locality,
from the mere absence of any common and sniff =
GENTLY controlling interest to combine them OF
hcers would then be selected generally more ac-
ceptIble TO their constituency, because their choice
and more fit, because selected without any sinister
interest operating upon them to deprave their mo-
tves. They would underlie no temptation to
multiply offices for the sake of making places. but
would feel steady interest TO reduce the number
already existing as fast as a more economical pro-
vision might be made for proper discharge of
their functions. The dignity and character of our
pubic men wonld, IN measure, escape that ohio
guy and abuse which inevitably follow the distri-
ontion OF the Government patronage, and against
which heretofore no reputation for ability or moral
purity In political life could get protection Snch
an immunity would bring back to the public SER
vice many valuable men whose sensbilities and
pride would keep them for ever from political life
II would likewise favor that lberality in the dis
cusson of political subjects, and that federation of
political differences which are essential To the
rapid growth and diffusion Of wise political svs
tenn among the people.
Nor should we overlook the superior political
education which people would receive from
the direct and wholesome interest thew would
thus be led to take in political affairs The chief
cause OF the insane atrociiy which distinguished
the French revolution of 1889 from the English
Revolution OF 1858, has been ascribed, and doubt
less WIN proprIeiy, TO the greater familiarity of
the English people with the political duties Of q
free citizen In contrasting these two great crises
in the histories of England and France. Mac
anay, discoursing of Mirabeau, TINS alIudes IN
this educational Influence "'TO what are we TO
attribute the unparalleled moderation and humani-
ty which the English people have displayed at
this great conJunclHre? The answer is plain
This moderation, this humanity, are the fruits of
hundred years ofliberty. During many genera
tons we have had legislative assemblies, which,
however defective their constitution might DO,
have always contained many members chosen by
the people and many other eager to obtain the
appreciation OF the people; assemblies in which
perfect freedom of debate was allowed assem-
blles in which the smallest minority had a fair
hearing assemblies in which abuses, even when
they were not redressed, were at least exposed -
For many generations we have had the trial bv
jury, the Habeas Corpus Act, the freedom Of the
Press. the right of meeting to discuss public az
fairs, the right of petitioning the legislature A
vast portion of the population has long been &C