Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-13

THE AXE AGAIN AT WORh.
We perceive by some Of the papers, that a
new batch Of Clerks has been lately removed; en-
tireIy we suppose on account of a difference Of
political opinion with Mr. Polk and his party.
In the midst of most exciting and critical con.
eition OF public affairs the President finds time to
step from the great theatre Of State, and wreak
his vengeance upon a handful of innocent clerks.
We hope that the press of Nirgins will also find
time, in the midst Of Oregon and Texas discus
sons, to record these barbarous acts, to hold them
mp to universal shame, and to dcnounce and
mathematics that infamous system of Proscrip-
ton which finds such favor with the General Go.
vernmeni but which, thank Heaven, has only
showed its head i'm this Commonwealth, to be
crushed like vile and hdeous reptile into the
earth.
Let the people never forget the cruel and I'M
merciful prescription with which the present Adj
ministration commenced its "reign of terror"
Bear it in mind, that its first employment, in the
morning of its existence, was to while away its
time with petty crueltios, sacrificing clerks and
other subordinate officers in the same heartess
spirit in which a noted tyrant amused himself in
boyhood with impaling flies. There have been
many events TO drown the recollection of those
WrOngS-to ulNeTt tle pubiC iHihu io'' 'hS ga"
contemplation. We have had great questions of
national policy,-rumOrs of war about Texas and
Oregon,-while Mr.. Polk himself, dropping the
hangman's cord, has aTrayed himself IN SOL
dier's garb, and with gorgeous regmentals, nod
ding plume. and flashing sword, is playing the
part off young Napoleon" But, through II
all, we recognize the familiar visage of the eSecu
tioner-we remember his vctims-we think Of
the heart broken and impoverished families who
Law their ruin at his door-.-and in the political
damnation which now hangs like black thunder
cloud over his head we foresee the approaching
retribution Of THAT Divine Justice, which has never
yet failed TO avenge the wrongs OF the poor and
the oppressed.
Just think for one moment Of the crime, the
horrd and unparalleled enormlty, which these
poor Clerks have committed, and for which they
and their families must be turned out of doors to
beg, or perish by starvation. They are excellent
officers prompt, experienced, industrious, IN
every respect competent. No denies that.
But they cannot control the operations of their
minds, so as to think upon all points in exact ac-
cordance with Mr.. Polk and his party. What
monstrous, what impossible conditions, does the
Administration require, if this he the only secure
statonsl Suppose the case of Clerk anxious
10 retain his situation, and with an elasticity Of
conscience equal to almost any emergency.
Which shall lac go for, Oregon or Free Trade 7
How is he to know the mind of the Administra-
toni The West proclaims that Oregon is first
in Importance. The South shouts for Free Trade.
Then again, he must choose between 40 and "a.
We'll, he reads the Presidents Inaugural, and is
perfectly satisfied that the U. S. have an indie.
feasible claim to the whole OF Oregon. In short,
he thinks there never such a title except that
of Adam TO the Garden of Eden. Soon after,
however, he discovers that Mr.. Polk has made
the offer of 40 to the British Government, and
then it for the first time TO him that this is
n most judIciOus proposition, and he cannot sufi-
cienlly honor the wise craftsmanship and the
concatory spirit which has dictated this excel
lent compromise. But soon the scenery is shift
ed again, and instead of remaining in the COM
paratiyey pleasant region of Nancouyer's Island,
our Clerk finds the President, with his coat but
toned up TO his throat, and encased in furs hurry
ing off with long strides to the North Pole, and
planting the American flag under the very nose
OF the Russian Bear. OF course, our unfortunate
scrivener springs at once from his position, and
hard to the coat tail of the Executive with the
other, makes tracks for the region of eternal
snow. Here, perhaps, he hopes to find some re-
pose, but no! He is condemned to a worse fate
than that Of the Wandering Jew. His iustriOus
predecessor has scarcely planted his foot upon the
line of 81 40, before he wheels TO the right about,
and then, the cork leg sleeps going the same
before" A gentle breath Of free trade, soft and
spring like, has come from the South, and he
inhales the OdorOus breeze, and turns to follow
the President, one would think our knight Of the
pen the most delighted creature in the world.
He smiles ut the thought that he could ever nave
INDUCED the insane idea Of living in land Of
everlasting winter. He utters touching
sentiments, handsomely expressed too, upon the
blessings Of peace, and "babblcs," like a poet,
about "green fields" Al last they reach 40 once
more, but Just in their path, as the President is
about to repose himself upon bank Of negolia.
ton, up starts an armed legion of Western De
Inocrais, who, with HaBnegan and Allen at their
head, bid the Executive retrace his steps, or die
fhe death. Once more they commence the un.
ceasinz round. Poor Clerk He must think with
the President. A bard condition indeed. Like
Ihe Irishman's owl, man must keep up "deyI
Of a thinking" who does not wish to be left be.
hind by the progressive Democracy.
There is no evil from which lesson Of good
may not be learned. Let our young aspirants
avoid the contagion Of office.seeking with which
the land is cursed, and never commit their happi.
ness and fortune to the caprice Of mortal man.
Let their own strong right arm WELD the hammer
Vi the mechanic, or the farmers sPade..-but let
Them not "put their trust in princes
THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.
We Yesterday slated the close Of tho winter session Of