Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-22
Nr. Calhoun.

opinions" during the present session of Congress,
by his manliness and independence. Scoring
party dctaton, so difficult TO be resisted by asp-
ring men, who in slavish obedience TO Its be-
hests the sures guarantee Of the attainment of the
object of their ambition, he has never hesitsted in
dignantly to disregard il, when his higher alegi-
ance to the constitution and to the country deman
ded the exhibition of stern and heroic devotion TO
the interests and rights of the people, and TO the
great principles embodied in the charter by which
the powers Of the government are limited and de-
fined. On more than one occasion, and on the
gravest questions both of foreign and domestic
policy, he has displayed this lofty independence;
and we do not hesitate therefore, while adhering
10 all their force to the objections which have
often urged to prominent acts of his public life. and
TO certain opinions which we believe to be radi-
cally erroneous and mischievOus, to tender him the
humble tribute of our thanks. He Is, in our estl-
nation, emnently entitled to the gratitude Of the
country for the patriotic and elevated position he
has assumed and maintained in the Senate and
10 its admiration for the dsinterested and self.sa-
crificing spirit by which he has been manifestly
actuaied, in the utterance of opinions fatal to his
aspirations as a mere party leader. In this re-
spect, indeed, his conduct contrasts favorably
with that Of another distinguished Senator-we
mean Mr.. Benton-from whom better things had
been expected and who, in despite Of recent ma
nifestatons Of timidty and vacilation, mot to saw
subserviency,) in sustaining measures, which it
was obvious, he did not approve, we yet hope to
see cooperating with the conservative portion c =
his party in rectfying some Of the mischiefs which
like weeds in a rank soil, have, within a compare
l.. IL. II
10 maturity and strength.
The New York Mirror refers, in the following
paragraph, to one of the instances in which Mr..
Calhoun has exhibited the fearIessness to which
we have referred, and which, from its very nov
city. in this degenerate age, is calculated TO in
spire the conviction that the "breed OF noble
bloods" is not altogether extinct. 1t says:
q" Its very gratifying that Mr.. Calhoun has pae
oil himself the head of movement which IT successful
will restore this country something Of that character
which, impressed by giants Of the revolution il fast DIV
ing out. The Senate engaged his motion in dis
oussng the question of Executive patronage with view
relieving the Presidency from the heavy buhen dis
buting the rewards of Partzanshp. We believe that so
power OF corruption in the hands Of no
officer eah. and that by other officers on earth
unsp1ringly used by Presidents The prin-
cple adopted office, is radically wrong We
Tor many Office holders plssble. We should
be anxious for The emo1ments Of office ought To
would any other situation and Office holder
should be displaced but for Of ability inegr
When the city has good Postmaster good Col
Iector, why should others be appointed IL these officers
have good clerks, why should they be dismissed II
merchant has good clerks, he does think them disqua
fled by having been long IN his service the contrary
that enhances their value him Why Uncle Sans
clerks should be judged by different rule than John
Browns understand and suppose no one else
The deposlaes Of power should be changed often
by the people but the deposares OF This the
meaning OF rotation IN OthCe,"
The Mirror, it will be perceived, has reference
10 these remarks TO the speech of Mr.. Calhoun on |
Executive patronage, to which we invited public |
attention few days ago. There are, in that |
speech, however, not only the soundest views in |
relation to the corrupting influence of the spoRs
system, introduced by Gen. Jackson into the prac.
teal administration of the Government, and
which, by long habit, has since lost IN the estima
ton Of the people much of the odum which orr
ginally attached to it; but there are. as we have
already intimlted, sentiments expressed fatal 10 |
Mr.. Calhoun's hopes, far as their realization j. |
10 depend upon party organization and the appli. |
ances TO which party resorts for the purpose Of
enthroning its Idol Of the hour in high places |
Mr.. Calhoun IS too sagaciOus not 10 have known |
this when he exposed and denounced 10 the nerv.
Gus language which characterizes his Senatorial
efforts, the corruPting and pernicious influence ex
erted upon the action Of a President elected in
conformity to a conventional nomination. BY the
members Of that convention, comprising to great
extent political aspranls for the inferior offices,
who combine to dictate to him, after his inaugu
ration, the manner IN which the offices Of the
country-no longer trusts to be- filled for the good
OF the country, but spois to be- distributed among
thu mercenary-shal be parcelled out among
themselves and their various circles Of dependents
aud rctaincrs.
When Mr.. Calhoun drew this picture Of ncm..
mating conventions, he barred tho doors Of these
cunclaves, a. he must have been aware, forever
against himself lie can never consent to submit
his name 10 body thus constituted aud, If he
could, what possibility would there be Of his nomi.
nation by II, when he declares IN advance, that,
" elected, he would refuse 10 obey ts mandates in
the dispensation Of the patronage Of his Office
nay that holding the Spos System itself in de.
tesaiion, It should never be said that the party b,
which he was sustained was held together b,
tho cohesive power Of public plumber" Indeed,
We regard Mr. Cahouns speech as a declaration
uf HE determined hostility to all baltimore Con.
ventions" hereafter; and consequently, should he
ever be again a candidate for the Presidency, that
he viii take the field upon his own hook, F" re-
gardless Of all parry combinations and alliances.
IL was PerhaPsa no, unreasonable apprehension
of this sort which induced the Washington Union,
q few days since. TO venture upon what would
otherwise seem 60 be a very ill.timed defence OF
this mode Of nomination, aud peculiarly empha.
Gee aud impressive warning to all aspirunts Of the
Perl they will incur by attempting TO thwah re.