The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-20

L
| lie moneys; one secretary of Territory; one a
marshal; one purser in the United States navy;
two Indian agents; three naval ofcers; nine Gus
tom-h house officers; and twenty-five deputy post
| masters-thc latter usually lucrative and import
ant Offices. In most cases, the editors appointed to
local offices continued to edit their papers, support
ing the administration and assailing the opposition
with spirit and vigor.
This is a sufficient commentary on the horror
affected by the friends Of General jackson at the
dismissal by Mr.. Clay of few publishers Of the
laws
g. General Jackson, at an early day after his ac-
cesson to office, entered on wholesale system Of
prescription or removals for opinions sake
In little over year after his first Inauguration
he removed about fifty collectors Of the customs,
ten surveyors OF the customs. five naval officers,
fifteen district attorneys, thirteen marshais twelve
registers Of land Offices and fourteen receivers of
the public moneys. BY Senate document No. 100,
lst session 2lst Congress, il appears that between
the 18th of March, 1929, and the 7th of April $780,
thirty weghcrs, gaugcrs, and measurers, dis
missed; and by document No LOG. lst session 2lst
Congress, that between the 4th of March, 1929.
and the 22d day Of March, 1880, four hundred and
ninety ono deputy postmasters removed. In
| addition to these, during the same period numerous
removals were made in the Departments in this
city, and the diplomatic, consular, and other
branches Of the public service.
During the first year he dismissed probably not
less than fifteen hundred oficcrs-the appointees of
jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and the younger Ad-
ANS all of the old republican school, and, in the
language Of the Senator from Maine, (Mr. BRAD-
BURy,) 'men Of the purest virtue upon whose char
acters stain was ever fixed before--men who
were regarded by all who knew them as eIninently
possessing honesty, capacity, and fidelity"
The system was prosecuted with relentless yigor
during the residue of the Presidency of General
jackson, and the victims were equally estimabe
and worthy.
On removal they were subjected to the sa me i'm
putation which the Senator Mr.. BRApBURy) saws
arises at the present times for General jackson de-
cared in substance, in his fret inaugural that he
.pld m a fnta anrif1 a,,H
the test His language (afer speaking Of the abuses
which had brought the patronage OF the Govern
ment in conflict with the freedom of elections and
had placed or continued power In unfaithful or in
competent hands, and after declaring his purpose
to correct such abuses,) was follows:
'In the performance Of a task thus generally de-
lineated shall endeavor to select men whose dill
gence and talents will insure in their respective
stations, able and faithful Co misunderstanding
for the advancement Of the public service more ON
the integrity and zeal of the public officers than on
their numbers"
Were the officers dismissed unfaithfuR Were
they Incompetent According the doctrines of the
honorable Senator's speech they were all libelled
and traduced,-all stgnatzed as base and worth
less
The extent and manner of violation of pledges by
President Jackson and his friends have been suffi
cently admitted and set forth by leading mem
Der OF the Democratic party, now a member of the
Senate, (Mr. CALHous.)
In a speech delivered in the Senate, on the l3th
Of February, 1896, Mr.. Calhoun said:
"The party then in opposition" (at the era of
Mr.. BENToN's report) ''and now in power pledged
themselves to the community, that should they be
elevated TO power they would administer the Gov
ernment on the principles laid down in that report
II is now high time to inquire how this soiemn
pledge-which, IN my opinion, imposed sacred
obligation-has been redeemed. Has the piightsd
faith been kept which the committee gave in the
name Of the party?"
After having referred to the names Of the com
inittee consisting of Messrs. Benton. Macon. Van
Burpn. DICkeraOn. Of ckv
Tennessee, Holmes, Hayne and Nndlay; and
after quoting extensively from the report. he
adds:
"It is impossible to read this report, which de
nounces, in such unqualified terms, the excesses
and abuses OF patronage at that time, without be-
| ing struck by the deplorable changes which a few
short years has wrought in the character Of our
country. Then We were sensitive in all that rela
ted to our liberty. and jealous Of patronage and
Government infiuence-so much so, that n few in
considerable removals Of three OF four printers
reused the indignation of the whole country
events which would now pass unnotced. We have
grown 1nsensible, become calious and stupid"
In a speech delivered in the Senate Feb.nary
n, 1886, the same distinguished Senator said:
81 would tell the coming administration 10 be-
ware. IL there be any one who expected the Presi-
dental nominee (Mr. Van Buren) could success-
fully play the game which he has, be would h.. yo-
fully disappointed. With all my objections 10 the
President, would not deny many high qualities
he had courage and hrmness; was bold, warlike,
TO bis pledges"-pids Coles S-Seaton's Register Of
Debates, part I, pages AIS, 40.
Perhaps the honorable Senator (Mr BRApuusy)
will find in these facts sufficient justification OF
the terms Of dcnunciation which be says were ap-
piled 10 General Jackson by the then opposition
The Senator says that
"No language too strong, no rebuke TOO
scathng term Of reproach too gross 90 be- beaned
upon the head of the venerable President for hav-
ing removed certain officers of opposite political
party, and appointed his political friends in their
places, still leaving in Office great body Of the
former"
This language is wholly inapplioAblc to the oase
Of new administration who brought into
power in opposition 10 a system Of prescription for
twenty years, and whose sole object is 30 correct
the procedure, by letting in s friends 10 fair
and just participation in the offices Of the country
The administration Of Mr. Van Buren wa mare
appendix 70 that Of President Jackson The same
policy pursued but in the field Of prescription
little work remained 20 be done. II appears from
Senate document No 2s2, ID session 25th Congress,
that he removed. from the 4th Of March isz7 IN
the 27th Of Februry. 1889 three hundred and aixtv
deputy postmasters, aud suppose a correspond.
ing number Of officers were dismissed in Other
branches OF the service but this was merely
CLEANING, the crop had already been swept from
the field. will not be - unreasonable ss to set
this up ~ a violation Of pronscs-the statute of
limitations having doubtless run in favor of the
Democratic party. Mr.. Van Burcn was the last
man TO revive il by a new PROMISE
Mr.. President. il 10 nov my duty To come down
b. more modern times; and this will head me to
consider the pledges given and promises violated
by the last Executive.
!. advert TO the course taken by the hate Pre-i.
dent the subject Of the tariff and 10 his celebra
ted letter - j. n. Kane eco, Of PhiladeIpbi. ON
ihai subject. IL may be found in Niies's Reri.fsr
volume 66. page 2s5, and is a. follows:
"Cotuspis, Tennessee, June 10. Is4s
"Dthn STA; have recently received several let.
ters IN reference TO my opinions the subject of the
.arih, and, among Others yours Of the sOb ultirDo
NY opinions on this subject have been often given 10
the public. They arc TO be found ia nv public acts.
and in the public discussions in which have parti
cipated | am in favor Of a tariff for reyen0e-such
a one as viii yield sufficient amount 10 the trea.
sury TO defray the expenses Of the Government eco
nomically administered. In adjusting the detajls
Of revenue tariff have heretofore sanctioned such
moderate discriminating duties woud produce
the amount Of revenue needed, and At The same
time afford reasonable incidental protection to ON,
home industry. am opposed 10 a tariff for protec
ton merely, and not foT revenue. Acting upon thes.
general principles. Il is well known that gave