The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-09
t II E r E P u Bill G .
WASHIN GTO n:
WEDNESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 9, IS
ESee first Sage.I
Prescription.

Our worthy neghbor of the Union is again
filling his columns with lamentations in regard
10 alleged prescriptions. His philosophy, as
well as we can understand il, is simply this: 1t
is good Democratic doctrine that, on the advent
of Democratic administration, ii should pro-
coed forthwith TO fill It's offices with its friends
and exclude its enemies. The obvious ground
for this is that it is much more easy TO carry on
governmentby the aid ofpersons who sympathize
with il, and feel an interest in its success and
popularity, than by those who are using all Off
cial means and appliances to bring it into dis
repute and finally 10 work its overthrow. There
seems to be good sense in such course. 1t is
the course that any man of ordinary prudence
and foresight would adopt in the prosecution of
his private business. Therefore, it is all right
and proper for Democratic administration to
adopt and pursue IL.
BIT, when WING administration is in
power, all this is changed. Then, To undertake
even an equalization of public empoyments be-
tween Wing and Democratic incumbents is pro-
scription. Then are public journals authorized
10 cry out against the inhumanity of using the
'.guilloiine," and of taking off heads" Then
the Cabinet are butchers" Then the most
innocent weapon they employ is the ''axe."
Then sanguinary pictures are painted and dis
played, to infame the public mind al the alleged
crueltIes and barbarities that are put into daily
exercise. Then the dictionary is 10 be ran
sacked for all the choice words and phra1s
which express most forcibly the horrors of re-
norseless prescription"
The notions Of the Union on this subject are
certainly a little confused and obfuscate Mr..
Richie thinks himself an injured man, and
has been entertaining us for a fortnight with
elaborate articles 10 show that he has been in
his own person the subject Of a bloody ''pro-
scription." What is the amount Of this alleged
prescription 10 his easel Simply that Con
gress would not intcrpose and "relieve" him
from contract which he had procured by Gun
derbiddng' in open market all his competitors
Many persons, we understand, put in bids for
the work which Mr.. RrTcHIE obtained, at
prices at which they could have executed it
satisfactorily 10 Congress aud the public If
they had obtained the contract at their prices,
they could have executed it proftably. They
were prevented from getting the contract BY
Mr. RrrcHrE's Undertaking.
To the extent OF what they have failed 20
make, they have been damaged by this under
bidding. Is it sny part of Mr.. RircHE's plan
TO indemnify these persons? Does he propose
that they shall be made good in their lossesl
They have been prescribed by Mr. RITcmE's
improper interference with their bona fde bids.
Are they entitled to no compensation for this
damage!
When We analyze the philosophy of the
Union, we find that il uniformly resolves it.
self into the idea that every act is proscriptve
which interferes with the interests Of Mr.
Rr1cmE or his Democratic friends that every
administration - proscriptlye which does not
pour out all it, patronage and employ all its
power for his and their benefit. He is
in favor, when the Democracy is in power,
Of taking every thing for their advantage by
force and, when a VINO administration is in
power, Of taking every thing from them by man
agement and clamsr. This is all very shrewd
and sagacious, but it is not very reasonable to-
wards his WHG opponents. We think that
the Union will do well to submit, without fur
ther repning, TO the use by WHe Administer
ton Of the ordinary means employed by govern
ments and parties 10 sustain thcmselve. In the
good opinion Of the nation, and the salutary use
Of their power One of these means has al
ways been the distribution among their own
friends and supporters Of the places and patron
age which are constitutionally and legally
within their discretion. An administration
which strips itself Of this means Of support, by
yielding to the outcrics of its enemies, abandons
just means Of securing strength and popularity,
and builds up the very interests and influences
which are combined TO subyert il.
Letters have been received at the Coast Sur
vey office. by the last steamer from California,
stating that Lieutenant Commanding McAR-
THUR had completed preliminary survey Of
he entrance Of Columbia river. a general re-
,onnaissance Of the coast from the entrance Of
Columbia river TO San Francisco. and had also
xanined the site for lighthouse at New
)ungeness, Oregon
The officers Of the Ewing were all we'll