The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-30


grounds, among others, that he would act
impartially in the distribution of public
favors, and was opposed to party spirit
and the prescription of the Federalists or
Democrats. In proof of this his celebrated
letter to Mr.. Monroe was cited, in which
he declared that the time had arrived
to "extirpate the monster called party
spirit" In spite of this declaration, the
war upon Mr. ADAMS was prosecuted with
the utmost violence. A prominent mem
Der OF the opposition party, indeed-since
Vice President of the United States-de-
clared that "the Administration must be
put down, were it as pure as the angels
in heaven"
When General JACKSON came into the
Presidency, very different state of things
existed from any thing that we have seen
since. The post Offices throughout the
country were filed by men who had been
appointed during the administration of
Mr.. MONROE, or by Postmaster General
who was himself friendly to the election
of General JACKSON. Mr.. ADAMS had
abandoned this branch of the public SER
vice to his opponents, and there were pro
badly more friends than enemies of the
new administration in office on the 4th of
March, 1929. What were the views of
the duty Of administration supported at
that time by the men who now oppose
General TAYLOR! We do not design to
adopt or approve the doctrines which we
cite; for we are willing to rest the policy
of the present Administration on the prin
ciples so forcibly expressed by Mr.. BURKE,
beyond which we do not desire to step
hairs breadth.
Our first extract is from the organ of
the JACKSON party in New York:
+" REMovALs.-The work goes bravey on the
friends of Mr.. adams removed from office, and
I" the friends Of General Jackson appointed This
course, indicating frmness and obedience to the
"public will, will give permanency to any admins
| 60 tration.'
The Democratic doctrine on the subject
was thus laid down by Mr.. MARCY in the
Senate of the United States:
Sc When they (the politcians,) he exclaimed,
"' are contending for victory, they avow their in
tenton of enjoying the fruits of it. If they are
defeated, they expect to retire from Office II
they successful, they claim, as matter of
right, the advantage of success. They see no.
thing wrong in the rule that to the victors belong
90 the spoils of the enemy"
General JACKSON will be received as a
true exponent Of Democratic doctrine, we
presume, by the Opposition. He thus lays
it down in his inaugural address as Presi-
dent of the United States:
I" The recent demonstrations of public sentiment
60 inscribe the list of Executive duties in char
acters too legibe TO be overlooked the task of RE-
FORM, which will require particularly the cor
:" rection of those abuses that have brought the
{" patronage of the Federal Government into con-
g fiict with the freedom of elections and the coun
:" teraction of those causes which have disturbed
" the rightful course Of appointment, and have
placed continued power in unfaithful or in
Z" competent hands.
{" In the performance of task thus generally de-
Z" lineatedl shall endeavor to select men whose
diligence and talents will ensure in their respect
I" i've stations able and faithful co-operation-de-
Z" pending for the advancement Of the public more
:. ON the integrity and zeal of the public officers
90 than on their numbers"
We shall enrich our extracts with the
following paragraphs from the first mes
sage of President JACKSON, in which the
subject is discussed at considerable length
" There are, perhaps, few men who can, for any
length of time, enjoy Office and power without
being less under the influence of feelings
" unfavorable to faithful discharge of their public
" duties. Their integrity may be proof against
" improper considerations Immediately addressed
" to themselves; but they apt TO acquire habit
" of looking with indifference upon the public into
" rests, and of tolerating conduct from which UNI
" practised men would revolt. Office is considered
Z" a species of property, and government rather
as a means of promoting individual interests than
" as instrument created solely for the service of
" the peope,-corruption in some and in others
a perversion of correct feelings and principles
" divert government from its legitimate ends, and
4" make it engine for the support of the few, at
" the expense of the many. The duties of all public
" officers are, at least admit of being made 80
plain and simple, that the intelligent may readily
qualify them for their performance; and cannot
but believe that more is lost by the long contnu-
" ance of men in Office than is generally 10 be gained
"by their experience. submit, therefore, to your
consideration, whether the efficiency of the Gov
" ernment would not be promoted, and official in
" dustry and integrity better secured, by general
" extension Of the law which limits appointments
" TO four years.
In country where offices are created solely for
I" the bencftof the people, no man has any more
" intrinsic right TO official station than another
Offices were not established give support TO par
" ticular men at the public expense. No individual
wrong is therefore done by removal, since neither
" appointment TO, continuance in office is
" matter Of right. The incumbent became an Off
" Ger with view to public benefits; and, when
these require his removal they are not 10 be sacri.
" feed to private interests II is the people, and
" they alone, whe have a right to complain when
bad officer is substituted for good one. He who
" Is removed has the same means of obtaining a
living that are enjoyed by the millions who never
" held Office. The proposed limitation would de
" stroy the idea of property so generally con
nccted with official station; and although indi-