The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-18
PATRONAGE AND PARTIES.

The influence of patronage as political agency
seems to be very much misunderstood in some quar-
ters We, the history Of lhls country has given some
very plain lessons on that subject
Those who believe that public opinion - TO DO con
tIolled by the OF Government patronage are apt
to ascrbe 10 the public venality which belongs
only 10 class. MIR. Van buren, ascoseisa ..,ii'
the system Of rewards and punishments, though
carried to great extent and applied win nncom-
mon tact aud sagacity, could not save his admin
isiration from overthrow. And not only did MT.
Polk fail 10 procure denomination for himself but
was unable 10 maintain the party organization which
elected HIM 90 TO effect the election OF It's last
nominee. -
These facts have a meaning. The proseriptive
principle like every other which Is founded upon ex'
elusive selhshncss aud upon an abnegaiion Of The
higher qualities Of the mind and heart, must always
in the end demonstrate It's own weakness. II II
ever seems u succeed Is because II IL In alliance,
for the time, with other Influences which IneTei,
tocrute-whilc in The arrogance OF Its own se.sul-
iciency il ussnmcs control and to hold every thing
else subordinate if men are banded together by II
In the pursuit of object the attainment oil the OBJ
ect leaves every one 10 mutual and hostile competi-
lion for the spoil This Is not real principle Of
unity il cannot be. The result must always follow
that inasmuch there Is not plumber enough TO re-
ward each competitor who thinks himself as worthy
OF his compensation as any other who fought ior ID,
came there must be many disappointed ones who " j
stand rendy 10 combine Ia new coalition 10 begiI
the conflict again--an II need be, against thos,
with whom they were just united.
That human nature Is selfish 10 an admitted max
tm But that IL may be clearly seen how selhshnes
ID really regarded by men, lot II be remembered tina
no one ever sympathzes with the selhshness 0
another. Insteud OF bond Of affinity, J! constitutes
when active, element Of mutual repugnace, which
shows itself the moment the test Ia applied Where
compromises can be made that Is to say where III,
controlling power Of Government ls in the han Is o
few, 80 that each that shares In the ascenden
cy nay DO sure of his reward, at once or prospec
lively tho thing may be managed with some sue
cess Walpole has shown how Il could be done-a
least how II could be done In an age when corrnp
| ton was no disgrace, md In country where al
nristocracy had possession Of the honors and emolu
ments oil Government.
| The system Of Wapole Ia still regarded by man,
even among us as the perfection Of craftsmanship
| but only so regarded by those who forget the i'm
| possibility Of bribing whole people, and who be
lieye thai great national interests and the naona
honor may bs degraded with IMMUNITY, provided III.
agents Of the humiliation are well paid
|. Undoubtedly combinations and coalitions formed
with views entirely selfish and looking to the public
treasury for the means Of disbursng their own ex
penses and for the plumber which they hore to share
| may meet with success now and then in the United
States. Such results have been, and may be again
Weak men have been placed in the Presidency by
such agencies, and weak men may be placed there
hereafter But the great of the people, intent
upon their pursuits and lable to be imposed upon by
the shrewd operators who make politics business,
cannot he permanently controlled by influences at
variance with those which enanae from the real and
and doctrines which do not receive support from
the convictions Of an honest Judgment.
Upon these an administration must rely for strength
Ii Il has not faith in the people, how can ii expect
that the people will have confidence In in Pres
ident who iruy comprehends his position; who can
come up to the full Of his responsibilities
who understands the spirit Of the times and the char
acter OF the American people. and dcvotes himself
heartily and boldly 10 the advancement OF the ma.
tional welfare and honor--may leave all factIons
combinations &, those who think that the elements
Of power are be found nowhere else; and he may,
with perfect IMMUNITY and without ds;rust, dispose
Of the patronage Of the Government as his high
minded policy may dictate, regardless Of the mar
muring Of the disappointed or The hostility Of mor-
fed insgnifcancc.
The American people know man when they see
him and geta full view of him. To suppose that tile
Presidency can maker great man ont Of a email one
implies utter forgeiulness Of recent history. Year
by year the mind Of this great nation rises and
expands in it's gigantic proportions, the assumptions
Of individual Importance and Of artificial position
dwindle and fade away and II may soon come 10
pass that ncdiocriiy, with n Its vanity OF prefer.
sion, will shrink from public station as il would
shrink from an exposure Of Its own weakness.
Baltimore american.
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