The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-03-27
JEFFERsON1AN DEMoCnAcY.

JEFFERsONIAN DEMOCRACY.
The Union and its co-laborers are just
now prating with great volubility about the
beauties of Jefersonian Democracy, and in
curing with good deal Of apparent sim
cerity, whether Gen Taylor, in saying, that
in administering the government, he will
look to the practice Of the earlier Presidents,
includes Mr.. Jefferson, or not, among those
illustrious precedents. 1t is with no little
pleasure, that we are enabled to crafty the
laudable curiosity Of our opponents in this
thing We assure them, that Gen. Tdy-
Tor does include Mr. Jefferson among The
earlier Presidents mhoss bright example he
proposes TO look 10 in executing his high
Office.
The announcement Of this intelligence
will no doubt, create a perfect fervor Of
excitement and delight among our oppo-
nents, who pride themselves in being Jeifer-
sonian Democrats Of the first water, and we
should not be surprised to hear Of the whole
Democracy Of the country, rushing like a
torrent in support Of the administration Of
the Old Hero OF Buena Vista; but as we
always deem it best, in our own case, to
look before we leap, we think it is no more
than Just to enable our opponents to do the
same thng-to look before they leap. With
this object in view, we lay before them the
following letter from Mr.. Jefferson upon that
deeply interesting point Of public policy
the proper and just execution Of the Presi-
dents duties in relation TO appointments to
and removals from Office. The present gen
Grafton may not be as intimately versed in
this portion Of JelIersonian Democracy, as
the last was and this consideration is ano-
Their reason why our opponents should be
made to know what Mr., Jefierson's views
and practice on this subject were
II the Union and its fellows, after having
studied this letter with due care, shall find
themselves prepared to applaud and approve
its doctrines, and to be guided by its prin-
ciples, we shall welcome them with no little
pride into the ranks Of the supporters of the
new Administration, which viii steadily
keep its eye upon the polestar Of Jeiierso-
Man Democracy, at least, in respect TO the
al-absorbing subject Of removals and APP
pointments. If they will not come over en-
tirely to our support, we think we may with
safety predict cessation Of the charge Of
prescription against the Administration,
which now fills the opposition journals, from
the Union down.
Here is the letter. The ongin.l manu-
script is in the hands Of member Of the
next Congress, who inherits il from one Of
the parties to whom il is addressed II APP
peared few days ago in the Philadelphia
North American.
LETTER FROM Nm. JEFFERSON, WHILE PRESIDENT.
Washington, Judy r. 1901.
GEsrLEaEs-I have received the romonstrance
you were pleased 10 address TO me- ON the appoint
nent Of Samuel Bishop TO the Office OF Collector Of
New Haven, lately vacated by the death of David
Austin The right Of our fellow citizens 10 represent
to the public functionaries their opinion pro-
ceedings interesting TO them, Is unquestionabiy a
constitutional right often useful, sometimes nc
cessary and will always be respectfully acknowledged
by me-
more anxious concern than that Of placing the in.
teTests Of fellow citizens In the hands Of honest
men, with understandings sufficient for their sta
lions. No duty, AT the same time, Is more difficult
TO fulfil The knowledge OF characters possessed
by single individual Ii, Of necessity, limited To
seek out the best through the whole Union, We
must resort to other information, which from the
best Of men, acting disinteresedly and with the
purest motives, is sometimes incorrect In the case
Of Samuel Bishop howe, or, the subject Of your re-
monstrance, time was nken information was sought
and such obtained as could leave room for doubt
OF his fitness From private sources II was learned
that his understanding was sound, his integrity
pure his character unsianed and the Offices conf
ded to him tam his own ST. u are pubic evidences
of tho estimation in which he is held by the State in
general, ind the city aud township particularly in
which he lives.
IsThe several Offices are here enumerated, which
Enumeration IL is unnecessary now 10 repeat
The removal. as il Is called, d Mr. Goodrich forms
another subject Of complaint. Declarations by my
self in favor of poi Tolerance, exhoriaons To har
,nony and affection ia social intercourse, and 10
suoct for The equal rights Of The minority, have
lain acrasions been quoted aud ni1conslred into
snrsnc.s that the tenure Of Office was TO be nnds-
turbeJ Bur could candor apply such constitutional
Ii is moi indeed, In the reconnaissance mat we Ind III
but Il leads to the explanations which that calls for
When il is considered that during The late admins
iTaiion, those who were not VI particular sect Of
politics Were excluded firm oil Office; "hen, by a
steady pursuit Of this measure, nearly the whole OH
cea oil The United States were nionopolzed by that
sect; when the public sentiment al length declared
itself, and burst open the doors Of honor and conf
dence 10 those whose opinions they more approved
was tito be imagined that this monopoly OF office
was still 10 be continued IN the hands OF the minor
n.y. Does II violate their equal rights 10 assert
some rights In tho MAJORITY aso2 Is il lotaici
intolerance 10 claim pruportonaie share in the d.
rection Of the public stairsl Can they not harmo-
ire in society unless th,y have every Thing In their
own hands II The will Of The nation, manifested
by their various elections, calls for an ndninistr
lion OF Government according with the opinions of
those elected; IT, for the fulhnent Of thai will dis
placements necessary, with whom can ths v 40
Justly begin with the persons appointed Ia The ,sl
moments Of AN administration, not for IFS own lid
but 10 begin career nj the same time with ,heir
succossurs, by whom they had niyer been ap
proved and who could scarcely expect lrom
them n cordial oo-opsratinna Mr. q ,odIich was
was one q these Was 4 proper for him 10 place
himself in Office, without knowing whether ,hose
whose agent he sss TO b., Womb have confidence In
his aRencvl Can the preference Of another a. the
successor 10 Mr.. Austin, be candidly called reme-