Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-05-24
PRESCRIPTION.

PRESCRIPTION.
The ceaselesS cry Of prescription against the
Administration will induce those who desire cor
rect information, to inquire into the propriety Of
the censure which, 1t is alleged Gen. Taylors pol
cv deserves We know of no better way to come at
the truth in the premises, than by anal lying the
administrations in each of which the opponents
said the dismissal from, and the appointments to,
Office, were in consideration Of party services.
We believe that the administration of John Q.
Adams was the first to be charged, outright, with
corruption in appointments. 1t was, however
uniustlv made the signal for uniting all the ele-
mens ofoppositon to his executive policy,and for
genera! accusation OF proAigacy, which ac-
complished the work conceived by the opposi-
ton. The administration Of Mr. Adams, not
wihstanding, received, from its Good manage
ment, the appreciation of large majority of the
people when its character became fully Develop
3D. Though it was obscured BY the mists Of big
orv and defamation for period, yet, when these
mists were diSSipated it shone forth in great
brightness. At the present time It's purity com
pares favorabIy with that Of the earliersodminis-
trations. Since Mr.. Adams's administration,
whatever may have been the impropretv of bis
course in the National Legislature on certain
questions, the history of the country reveals one
truth honesty and capacity were qualities which
applicants had to possess to receive appointments
from him.
The great object in view was however, ac-
complished Mr. Adams was elected fIom the
executive chair BY the election Of Gen. Jackson.
In Gen. JacIlson's inaugural we find the follow
ING lust sentiments "The recent demonstration
of public sentiment nscrlbes on the list of exec
utive duties in characters too legible TO be over
looked, the task of reform. which will require
particularly the correction of those abuses that
have brought the patronage of the federal gov
eminent into conflict with the freedom of cleo
tons, and the counteracton of those causes which
have disturbed the rightful course of appoint
ment and have placed or continued power in
unfathful or incompetent hands" From the
time Of Gen. Jackson's inaugural, it is reasona-
BILE to infer, that in making appointments Demo-
cratic Presidents would have been governed by
the above sentiments. But how stands the case?
Gen Jackson, in the beStowal Of office, was in
huenced entirely by the consideration, that his
appoinee thought as he thought, not only in re-
gard to political matters, but in regard to the char
acter Of his predecessor.
Passing by the administrations OF Van Buren,
and Tyler, we come to the administration Of Mr..
Polk. Ifthe appointments, during this admins
ration, do not show the futlity Of The sentiments
expressed by Nrell. JACKSON, we Will SURRENDER
the issue. From the time Mr.. Folks cabinet was
formed down to the last hour of his continuance
in office, if he made single appointment with a
due regard to the necessary qualifications to
maintain the dignity of the station, aside from
other considerations, the evidence has never been
promul 5ed. Some of the appointments during
Mr.. Folks time, reflected credit it is true, upon
the dispensing power; in all these instances, how
ever. public opinion had been expressed, and he
was unwilling 10 act counter to this opinion
The late Executive frequently urging Con-
gresS to create new offices, with a design,
too we'll known, of enlarging bis influence
What makes the thing more culpable, some of
these offices were of nature incompatible with
our institutions. He disregarded the will Of the
people, in employing the last hours of his admin
stration in placing men of his creed in high and
responsible stations. These appointments were
made, too, in manner highly Objectionable and
unauthorized. The secret circulars, eXaciing con-
tributions from ofice-holders, especially IN the
large cities, show how much regard the late Ex-
ecutive had for honesty and purity IN the ap-
pointees. These exactions had to be acceded to
on penalty of being displaced. The money thus
raised was to be employed in promoting the sue
cess Of the Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dencv In this way the holders, under Mr..
of subserviercy not known under monarchlcal
government. That the offices of the Govern
ment created by the consent of the governed,
were used for the maintenance of those who wor-
shipped power, is fact which the history of the
last administration proves
The people at length saw, in reality the Wis
ion that fitted before the sight of Gen. Jackson.
Why, then, should Gen. Tor cease to execute
the will of the sovereign people, He has, we
can truly say, "No friends TO reward-no enc
mics TO punish" But he has the executive de-
partment Of great nation to manage correctly
In filling every office from the highest to the
lowest, all equally important in point Of princi-
pie, he has no guide but the plain reading Of the
Constitution. The offices are the peoples, not
the Presidents. He, in consequence of his high
station, is charged with the management of the
nations affairs If he should give offices TO in
competent or unworthy persons, or retain such
in office, the people have right to call him to
an account. That man cannot err is absurd
But that Gen. Taylor has made, or has caused to
be made change in an Office, for any reason
other than the good of the country, we do not be-
lieve. The fidelity to the Constitution and 10
the laws, which was conspicuous in him for a
quarter Of a century in the military department,
has not been diminished since his elevation to the
Presidency. The people have solemnlv declar-
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