The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-11

as deepotc as to prescribe for the other. The
sense OF the country would be shocked if any
President would attempt to remove men from Of
fee because they happen to be Of a certain reli-
gious persuasion; and yet, to remove them because
they entr rtain certain pc cal opinions, is GER
talnly quite as despotic and unreasonable. This
drs2otism has, low-v'r, unfortunately been exer-
cised 10 such an extent that tie peopl. have at
length deemed II time To ronounce Judgment
UPON IT, and they have done 80 In such manner
as 10 leave no doubt of their sentiments on the sub
ject.
Both parties have hitherto prescribed men for
holding political opinions contrary to their own
Public officers have been changed at the incoming
o'eveIy admin Isiraton, tor the last twenty years.
Men were removed simply because they were
democrats or whies, as the case might be. Merit
and The pubic interests were wholly disregarded.
OF course, those in office, knowing the precarious-
ness OF their tenure, and that partizanship would
have more weight than the due performance oftheir
duiy, were careless o. the latter, and applied them
selves to make interest with those who had the
best chance of coming into power. Then, upon
the Inauguration of a new President, those hold
ing different OPINIONS from the successful party
were unfortunately ousted, and men installed
IN office who, for months after, could not acquire
knowledge of their duty sufficient for its proper
discharge. The men thus unceremoniousy busted,
90 out again INTO the world, thoroughly s,oied,
turned by sense Of wrong into mere politicians,
and having apparently but one obect-to subvert
those by whom their own removal from Office has
been effected. Society at length becomes fermented
with this leaven of jealousy and bitterness, and
avpl
an office seeker. Such are the concomitants of
this wretched system OF prescription for opinions
sake
The country may congratulate itself that it has
at length, by the elevation of General Taylor, got
rid of this disgraceful system There is to be no
removals from or appointing ntsto office, mere
" be cause a man happens to be a democrat or
wing. Merit is TO be the only test Of success.
mans fitness will be Judged of, not by the number
of WING speeches be has made, but by his integrity
and ability. We do not say, of course, that the
President elect will not choose his constitutional
advisers from amongst those who agree with him
on matters OF public policy; but on the other hand,
we are confident that the mere working officers OF
the govemment-men whose opinions do not in
terfere at all with the performance of their duty
will be retained in office, except on sufficient proof
that they are either dishonest or incapable. Thus
General Taylor will have the sentiment OF nine
tenths of the county in support of his adminstra
ton. BY pursuing this wise, moderate, and mag
unanimous cou So, (Which we have not the least
doubt he is resolved to pursue,) he will dIvest
party spirit of all personal bitterness, and set an
example which will conduce more to the future
welfare Ct this country than all the protective
tariffs or banking systems that have ever been
conceived IN the brains of politicians.