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

being an increase of three hundred per cent, with
a surplus of Sl0,446 30 The average amount of
revenue collected in New York during this period
was Just about the same 1t was under Mr. Adams's
administration, to wit, $l3 ,O00, 900; though there
great fluctuations in consequence Of the dis
orders which pervaded every branch of national
industry, by reason of the ill advised measures of
President jackson and his immediate successor.
SO much for the reliance which that distinguished
man placed "for the advancement of the public ser
vice, on the integrity and zeal ofthe public officers,
rather than their numbers" and 50 much for full
filment by the Democratic party OF their promises
under the head of "retrenchment and reforml"
L. now advert to the topic which mainly in
duced me To undertake this review of so much of
the political history of the country appertains TO
the election and administration of enera Jac ckson.
And here shall have occasion 10 consider the rise
and progress of the proscriptive policy, which
transferred at this era from Albany TO the city of
Washington, by the influence Gas is believed) Of
Mr.. Van Buren,, (the Northern man with Southern
principlesi) and which has here given highly in
furious direction 10 public affairs. The honorable
Senator e1claims, 'it s not the policy of removals
that assail or call in question: just II the De-
mocracy had always been consistent on this point
So far from IL | can show that they distinctly
pledged themselves, both in 1924 and 1928, 10 op-
pose that policy. They insistedthat the patronage
of the Government should not be brought in con-
fhct with the freedom OF elections, or, in other
words, that removals and appointments should not
be made ON political grounds or in reference 10
party distinctions In furtherance Of this idea, the
celebrated letter Of General jackson Mr. Monroe,
dated on the 18th OF November, 1916, then first
produced and thrown before the public, from which
submit the following extract:
"In every situation party and party feelings
should be avoided Now is the time 20 extermnate
that monster called party spirit By selecting cha
racters most conspicuous for their probty, virtue,
capacity aud irmness, without any regard TO par
y you will 20 far 10 eradicate those feelings which
ON former occasions have thrown Omany obstacles
in the way Of Government, and perhaps have the
Dlgaeufc % uniting A neOnl@ hCrctoforr noliiirallv
divided. The Chief Magistrate OF great and pow
erful nation should indulge in party feeling;
his conduct should be liberal and disintcrested, al
ways bearing in mind that he acts for the whole,
and not for part Of the community. BY this
course you will exalt the national character, and
acquire for yourselves name as imperishable
monumental marble" "Thcse are the sem
timents Of friend; they the feelings, IL know
my own heart, of an undissembled patriot"
General jackson, in May, 1924, in letter 10 the
Hon. George krcmcr, repeated and rcafhrmed these
generous and patriotic sentiments; and in debate
in the House OF Representatives, February, a. 1s27
the honorable Senator from Texas, (Mr. HoUsToS,)
then member from Tennessee, in remarking on
this letter, insisted that its import follows
Let patriotism, talents, and integrity, be the
passport 10 Office. The President ought not 70 be
the head Of party, bat the President Of a nation
and Il is just that the tree should be judged by ts
fruits"
There is no doubt but this letter was produced at
the instance Of General Jaokson he probably fur
mako capital for him, and IL had a most powerful
effect ON the public mind. II carried over 90 his
support large body Of tho old Federasts
constituting highly respectable portion Of the
modern Democracy.
The same ground was taken by his friends in thc
two Houses Of Congress, particularly after his de-
feat In the House at the session Of lS24'25 In the
Senate at the fret session Of the 10Th Congress- a
select committee raised g 10 inquire into the
eSpedieDcy Of reducing the patronage Of the TX.
ecutive Government OF the Omitted States, at the
head Of which placed the honorable Senator
from Missouri, (Mr. BFSToS,) who, in due season,
submitted able and interesting report from
which submit the following extract:
Patronage will penetrate this body, subduc It's
capacity Of resistance chain IL 90 the car Of power
and enable the President 10 rule easily, and much
more securely, with than without the nominal check
of the Senate" 1--WE must, then, look
forward 10 the time when the public revenue viii
be doubled; when the civil and military officers Of
the Federal Government will be quadrupled; when
ts influence individuals will be multiplied 20
an indefinite extent when the nomination BY the
President can carry any man through the Senate,
and his recommendation can carry any measure
through the two Houses of Congress; when the
principle Of public action viii be open and avowed,
that the President wants my vote and I want his
patronage will vote AZ he wishes and he will
give me the Office wish for. What will tins be bot
the government Of one mani and what is the gov
eminent OF ono man but monarchy"
should not do justice 10 mysefif did not dscaim
producing this extract under any idea Of involving
the distinguished Senator from Missouri in The
charge Of Inconsistency, for believe he would
administer The Goyernment 80 far AZ he could, on the
principles here laid down, fcallcd 10 that high duty
My sole object is TO show how entirely the Demo
cratic party committed itself against the proscrip-
tive policy. Hwillbe recollected that during Mr.. Ad
amss administration the then Secretary Of State
(Mr. CLAy) deemed Il TO be his duty TO take the
publication Of the laws from certain editors print
ers, (not 10 exceed half dozen in ALL for pursuing
(it is supposedly course OF unexampled detraction
and abuse Of him and the existing administration.
This created great commotion both in and out Of
Congress; II was resisted and denounced every
where can enormty," and was treated AZ an
alarming assault on tho freedom of the press, and
the liberties Of the people Of this country. In
speech delivered by Mr.. Saunders, Of North Caro-
lima, in tho House Of Representatives, the ist Of
February, 1928, he said:
cit (the Dismissal Of the edtors) seemed 10 speak