The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-21

within speculative range of caSus beIH
Patronage and Prescription.
'sThe spoils belong to the victors."
These words were employed by distin-
guished Locofoco leader, to justify the re-
moval of all political opponents from office
by an incoming administration. These me-
morable words have been often quoted, and
sustained in several public journals of the
party then in the ascendant. The princi-
pie which they embody was very notori-
ously and extensively carried out. Bands
were organized in our custom houses and
other official departments; they were regu-
larly trained and disciplined, and occasion
ally assessed for party purposes. These
serfs of the administration were put in,
and put out, on the same principle which
actuated the last, and by far the most un-
amiable, of the Stuarts, in all his appoint
ments.
The practice of rotation in office was
first commenced, to some extent, and ar
gumentatively sustained, by Mr.. JEFFER-
SON, who regarded it as not only justifiable,
but as a natural consequence of change
of administration. How far it was carried
out by General JACKSON, Mr.. VAN buren,,
and Mr.. Polk, is sufficiently notorious.
But, unless exercised with a scrupulous
regard to the public interests, il must OBJ
viously lead, in many instances, TO the re-
moval OF experienced officers, merely that
novices may have bread. The adoption
of the practice IN ertenSO may thus occa-
sion great public inconvenience. -Four
years speedily pass away; and if govern
mental patronage were to be withdrawn
and bestowed at the end Of every term
supposing political change in the admin
ist ation-co-extensive with the removal
of every public officer, the practice would
not only be mischievous, but rather re-
voting.
A Wing President cannot, however, be
expected to surround himself with the Sec
retaries of his Locofoco predecessor; nor
to be satisfied that the country is duly rep
resented abroad by ENJOYS and consuls of
that denomination; nor TO tolerate, in any
department, such public servants as are
likely To avail themselves of their official
position TO make political mischief for the
existing administration, In the humber
stations, also, some removals must be ex-
pected, as matter Of course; for II would
be very strange if, while the President
himself is removable at the end of four
years, every subalteyp officer should hold
a. tenant for life But these removals
should be made carefully and temporarily.
General TAYLOR seems to think so; he
has clearly acted on this humane and con-
siderate principle.
What, then, is the meaning OF all this
commotion-this outcry about prescription
Had he followed the policy and practice
OF Jackson and others, certainly he would
/ no. have pleased the Locofoco party, how
ever high they Iauded that excellent rule
4
vhen II vo,kedooe 'oay, He has followed
a very different policy. Yet =. "e o'eS not
appear to please that party. Thougn "o'
remarkable for refinement, as an integer,
they are certainly difficult to please.
An Irish drummer, appointed to punish
an old offender with the lash, proceeded
to do his duty. "Higher'' cried the cul-
/ Prit; and being a tender-hearted fellow.
the drummer laid on the braid about the
shoulders. ''Lower!' screamed the often.
der; and the lash, in the true spirit of ac-
commodation, was laid upon the loins.
"Hlgherp' again cried the fellow, till the
poor drummer, irritated by the continual
cries Of higher and ioloeT, laid on the braid
IN good earnest, exclaiming, "By -,
there's no plasing ye, strike where
will" May it not he wise to gather all
that may be found of admonition in this
simple illustrations
What would they have MacauIay
says thatJames II. referring to the PARTITION
OF Offices, advised the Pretender, should
ne ever reach the throne, :" TO reserUe for
me members Of The church of Rome por-
f'0" "h'ch might haUe. su6iced for them