The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-07
TIL E REPRLIC.
(CoMMuNIcATED.l
THE PRINCIPLE OF REMOVALS FROM
nEEICE.

[coMMuNIoATED.l
THE PRINCIPLE OF REMOVALS FROM
OFFICE.
In the recess of Congress, whilst we are at peace
with the world and with little TO interest the public
mind, the matters of greatest concern seem to be
removals from and appointments to Office.
These now form the staple of the public press,
especially on the Locofoco side, whose clamorous,
factious, overweight lamentations and denunca-
TONS produce more of disgust than any other feel
ing. IL must be expected that the acts of Govern
ment will be narrowly scrutinized, and indepen-
IDENTIFY judged and condemned; and along with the
fullest and freest discussion and criticism there
should always be allowed "dignifed castigation,"
wherever merited
But, at the present time, there is predetermina-
ton of opposition and recklessness of abuse, not
simply censure, most deeply to be deplored by
every right-minded man. These, however, are
mitigated by querulousness truly amusing, and
afford the consolation that their own intemperance
''overshoots the mark - and will cause them TO re.
coil upon their authors.
To me it appears that the Administration of Gen
Taylor has, in the main, acted with commendabe
and unwonted care, circumspecuon, and forbear-
ance in the removals from office. They have, too,
in some instances passed by crowds Of eager appli-
cants, and selected proper men, without their know
ledge, and sometimes without the appointees ac-
dence on solicitation and importantly is worthy of
all praise; and long may such course be combined
with that due Difference to well grounded and we'll
attested claims to public Office, which this Admin
istration have also evinced.
Not only can every removal that the Adminstra-
ton have made, and far greater changes than it is
believed they contemplate, be fully justified, both
by Democratic theory and practice; but, farther
and better than this, by true theory and principle.
do unhesitatingy assert this principle to be, that
ponderancs in the appointments to office, being their
daty, in making Lhem to select the most competent,
honest, and faithful agents they can obtain How is
this preponderance to be obained' lis universally
conceded that, where an actual vacancy occurs,
friend of the Administration should be appointed;
and there is some such fairness Of admission even
where a commission expires But let removal be
made, (even for good cause,) and the hue and cry
OF ''proscription, 'broken pledges &c, &c,
swells the throat of every Locofoco wellnigh to
bursting
As TO vacancies; 1t is true now as it was in
the days of Jefferson. that STEW die and none re-
sign" And as 10 the expiration of terms of SER
vice-these would, in many instances, run nearly
through Presidential term; and, besides, the
appointment of Locofoco is with the great of
unconscientious partisans, bad as renlouaL
The Administration should, then without the least
regard TO these factous clamors proceed steadily to
secure fair preponderance in the Offices of Govern
ment This it need not do arbitrarily nor pro-
scrptvely. Let it thin and weed, judicious
farmer does his elds and its harvest of usefulness
and honor will be the more penteous. Let it fear
lcssy respectable iaeonpetency and medocrity
and, by the bye, there is very great reverence en-
terthned about here for these high qualifications.
Let il remove the favortes, whose only qualifca-
Mons for Office sycophaney and tme-serving.
Let it remove those who, from msfeasance mai
fea sance deserve no favor at the hands of honest
integrity; and I'll the places of all these with its
own friends-the friends Of country above party,
who are most worthy Of public trust in a matchIess
free Government and many righteous steps will
have been taken towards that preponderance which
is its lawful right
But this is not all. Are there not many import
tbo
eminent, in its various departments, that to leave
them in the hands of opponents would be as rea-
sonable for Washington to have continued Arnold
at West Point The great cry of the Locofoco anti
proscripuonsts is, that the officers of Government
are ministerial, and hence removals are wrong. II
they merely ministerial according the theory
Of the Constitution, they not and cannot be
so.in practice They political to a very great ex-
tent, and can be and have been made political en-
gines-eyen TO the evying of black mail in order TO
secure them. There are, however, classes Of offices
which cannot be termed ministerial, but are essen
TALLY political; and for them TO be held by oppo-
nents Of the Administration would be as sensible
as II the chief subordinstes Of general were his
opponents, distrustfu Of his abilities and censo-
rous Of his plans and policy. Ministerial! and yet
constantly called TO execute with alacrity, hdei-
ity and zeal what they taught to regard as in
furious the best interests Of their country and
the Democratic press whilst asserting their claims
TO a continuance in Office, are moving " earth and
the things under the earth" vllify and dlsparase
the Administration under whom these friends Of
theirs would have to serve. Thus, whilst endea-
voring, professediy TO retain their political adj
herents IN Office, they are busily sowing in their
minds distrust and disrespect, and Strengthening
them in their opposition, which renders them unfit
TO be retained, and little likely to be efficient in the
discharge Of their duties if retained. Look, for
example, AT the very concIliaiory course Of the
''Thug Of Bundlecund," as the Wing styles the
associate editor Of the Union Whilst this and
other editors Of his kind doing ell they can &c