Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-18
PRESCRIPTION

sense OF honor, dnu endowed win the inCltna-
ton to act righteously. yield willing acquies-
cence to her dictates. Those, who act otherwise,
deserve TO be visited with punishment, Nd men
of integrity will moi, dare not withhold from them
their reward. "Thc way of the transgressor is
hard" and we glory that it is so. With our con-
sent it shall never be otherwise.
James E. Heath has been prescribed No ca
Illuminating tongue was foul enough to impeach
his integrity. No man doubted his capacity. lie
discharged the duties of his Office with credit to
himself and benefit TO the State. But the De-
mocracy, the embodiment Of correct principles
and pure actions, have prescribed him. Why
They had the power and .7uditor Heath is a Wing.
The keen penetration of wise Democrats, has dis
covered that ''rotaton in public office" and that
"proscrption for opinions sake" are wise, equi-
table and Just. They have taught the theory;
they have reduced it to action; and thus sanction
cd by the h'5 h "utho,ty of Iecofocoism il is
held up for the admiration and supper, OF the
country.
The Wings will not fail to profit by the exam
nile thus laugh, by the Democratic party. Vir-
ginia has undoubtedly given past tone to the en-
tire Democracy and now when she establishes the
proscriptive policy, in her State administra-
ton, what has the country to expect in the fu
ture? The proscriptve policy has been taught,
has been acted upon, and the indications, in Vr-
ginia, are favorable TO its continuation. 1t has
been, il is now and it will continue to be, the set
tied policy of the Democratic party. Such has
been the policy of this party not because it is
equitable and Just, but because Gen. Taylor has
sought TO cqualize the patronage Of the govern
ment; but strange TO say, that while the efforts of
Gen. TAYLOR, towards equalza are assigned for
the desire to expel the officers Of the State, the
Democracy, in the act of expulsion have dscov-
cred that the course is correct the course being
thus endorsed by the high wisdom and intelIi-
gencc of the Democratic party, dare the Wing
party longer delay IN prescribing the Democratic
officers, under the General Government. The
Democracy have learned, that the proscriptive
policy, to which they objected, when directed to
the mild end of equalization, is perfectly compat-
ibe with the strctest sense of justice, when in
the spirit of retaliation, its avowed intent is the
indiscriminate and entire expulsion OF public ofh-
GERS. Such a conclusion is a voluntary request
OF the General Government TO adopt the proscrip-
tive policy, and fill all OF the Offices under its con
troll with the friends of the Administration.
1t is natural to expect ofan Administration, that
ii fill its offices with those of its friends, who have
used their influence to bring il into power, and
who will use that influence, which they may de-
rive from the possession OF office, to give to it sta
bility and augment its power 1t is natural for
10 give unto their friends all possible aid; and
not only is this so but selt-nterest and policy die
tate the propriety of Withholding from foes any
advantage by the operation OF which in ury CANDY
any possibility be done to ourselves and the same
course of reasoning, which establishes the propr-
ETY. of this course, teaches the importance of en-
downg those who are to aid us with all possible
strength. The proscrptive policy being sustain
ed by this OF reason, it had become the set
tied practice of both parties though we believe
the acknowledged theory of neither, until the ell
ovation Of General Taylor He arose above par
~ views and selfish motives in the adoption Of his
administrative policy. lie sought to frame a
course of action which should be national and
neither partEan nor sectional Entertaining these
high and exalted aims, he discarded those views,
upon which were based the proscrptive system,
and established in its stead one which was less par
tizan and more national in its character. This
system was equalization.
Upon the elevation of General TAYLOR, he d.
rected his early attention to equalzing the patron
age of the Government. lie found the offices
filled with the friends of the prior administration,
and, entertaining ideas of justice, in view of the
fact that two great political parties existed he
conceived il to be the duty of a national admins
traton, to withdraw rtion of the patronage
from the Democratic party and bestow it upon his
Wing coadjuors Such he conceived TO be nc
less than an act of justice. 1t was the privilege
Of the administration, its indisputabe privilege
to expe every officer appointed during the admin
iouduon VI WI Iok dhu supply 'ei Nd.dhIIcs
with the advocates of Wing principles. But the
same justice, that influenced him TO supply the
vacancies which were created with Wing officers
induced him to retain in office portion Of the
Democracy. 4 large portion of the country il
embraced in the Democratic party and justice to-
wards them requires that national administra.
ton should bestow upon them portion of it,
patronage.
To retain in office portion of those appointed
by the last administration, was sheer act OF JUS
tice to the Democratic party. In consideration
OF the high claims of justice, this has been don.
by the administration of Gen. Taylor. 1t is thu
right OF the Democratic party to ask of Wing ad
ministration portion Of the public Electromagnetic
is right, the enjoyment of which must Of ne
cessity result in Democratic benefit; and shout,
the Democratic party succeed in securing thi
right, they will do SO only because of the higl
sense OF justice entertained by the Wing party
But the Wing party is bound by no consideration
to observe the dictates of justice, when the course
ofthe Democratic party leads to the inferenc,
that they desire not The patronage of Wing Gov
eminent. And the present course of the Dem
ocratic party justiies this inference. 1t is no
only pursuing proscriptive course but it is teach
ing that rotation in Office is correct, prudent AM
wise. Then, by both practice and theory, w
nave not only their claims to an act Of justic
waived. but our refusal TO act upon the proscrip
tive policy denounced as unwise, imprudent an,