The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-14

his hands, and he used il without any religious seru
plies in the hope of being elected President Of the
United States. Well, they knew what was the re-
suit of all that Now, how near did Tyler come to
make himself king Why, poor old King Lear, at
his last stage of life, was as near being king as
Mr.. Tyler Mr.. A. here gave a very lively picture
Of the depressed state of the country during Tylers
administration and the facility he had 10 act upon
numbers. Mr. A. then, to show the inslgnlfcance
OF executive patronage stated the fact that the aver
age salaries OF the $4,000 postmasters Of the nation
was only sI3 o2 cents per annum; and these con-
sttuted the half OF all the officers Of the United
States. IL was not such patronage as that that
dangerous. 1t was such patronage as that of the
United States bank-of the tarf-which corrupted
millions and robbed the rest Of all the departments
Of patronage, he thought those appointed to office
the most trhIng and paltry. One-hsf of the people
would not have these petty Offices There were
100000 in his State, and of these 900 of them
would not take the gin of them; they ought not
then, talk about the people of the United States be-
ing corrupted by these patry Offices. They were
too happy and prosperous, too happy and content
ed on their farms.
Mr. CALHOUN made a short explanation, and
referred TO report made in 1886, to show that 1t
was the true democratic doctrine he was contendng
for Acting on this principle, (said Mr. c., a large
mass OF society enter into politics mere mode OF
as many persons live upon the expenditures of this
government, as the half Of the great population en-
gagged in the cultivation of the cotton lands the ex-
tent Of the evil may be imagined The income OF
the government is almost equal to half of all the
income derived from cotton property. Now, we
know what large mass Of our population is engaged
in the cultivation Of cotton, and yet through the
action OF this government, az many persons are
living upon the public revenue. But that is not all
Put then the half of the income Of the cotton prop
erty into lottery, TO be drawn every four years:
so many men will 60 into that lottery in hopes OF
drawing prize, that when the victory il achieved
not one IN forty can be rewarded. What is the re-
suit The thry-nine disappointed and who
fought only for the "spos," turn round in process
Of time-when political degenerscy takes place, as
it willto the other side and seek the next turn OF
the wheel when another lottery is drawn. Thus
they 60 on. Can any wise man-can any patriotic
man-can any genuine friend of human liberty,
look at such a spectacle without the most poignant
regret He must be little informed indeed in poll
tics who does not know all this and knowing
all this, he will be asserting one Of the most
untrue and mOnstrous propositions on the face
of Gods earth, who says that this is "popu-
lar doctrine" What "A popular doctrine ~
This popular doctrine2" Ii is the very re.
verse. Ii is the doctrine 10 create a king and
to annihl!ate liberty. As for myself, have main
tanned on this subject a uniform position. When
inc act OF lo<u was passed, II passed through Con-
gress without my knowledge. The moment heard
Of its passage, pronounced to friend that that
law was one of the most dangerous ever passed,
and that II would work great revolution. ! have
always stood upon that ground; and yet know
that this position il not popular position. But
speak the truth when the truth ought TO be spoken
The presidential election is longer a struggle for
great principles, but only great struggle as to who
shall have the spoIIs of office. Look the machine.
ry? A convention that dominates the President,
and IN which not unfrequenty many Of the repre-
sentauves OF the States Join in general understand
ing to divide the Offices amongst themselves and
their friends. And thus they make President who
has voice at all in the selection of officers! These
things known and say is surprising that, be-
ing known, gentlemen who advocate the opposite
doctrine assume to be democratic. No. The dem
ocrauc doctrine is precisely the reverse of what
they affect TO teach. Ii goes against patronage and
influence, and gives no more patronage than what
the strict necessity Of the case admits. Patronage
wisely and iudlclousy dispensed the part of the
Executive may have salutary effect in giving con-
centraton and strength to the government; but this
wholesale traffic in public Office for party purposes
is wholly pernicious and destructive Of popular
rights. Properly applied the policy is admirable;
but as soon the government becomes the mere
creature Of seekers Of Office, your free institutions
nearly at end. In this matter have been
uniform and sincere-whether right or wrong, time
will disclose. But the evil has commenced. 1t is
going on. 1t needs no prophet to foresee the end
speak not in the language Of prophecy; but who
judging from the past, can avoid the conviction
that, unless the proper remedy be applied, the over
throw Of your political system is inevitable
Mr.. SEWER replied at some length. He had
no fears as to the working of the present system.
"a king" No such phantom disturbed his imagi-
nation. He contended that all the opposition to the
salutary and excellent system of removals from Of
fee by the Executive was mere cutlery and clamor
raised on the advent Of every administration.
Mr.. MOREHEAD was about to address the
Senate; but AZ it now late in the afternoon, he
yielded to a motion to adjourn; which was agreed
to.
And the Senate accordingly adjourned.