The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-21
WAsHISaToN, June IS. 1852.
From the Ne,oark N. ~ Aduerti,T
Goyernment E1nenditures.

One OF the comnonest articles OF politicians,
small ones generally, indeed, ID to make great
ado about the expenditures OF Government. This
policy is founded on the wellkno sensitiveness
OF the people to matters that concern the public
purse AS in private life the promptings and anx-
ieties of individuals originate end in marked
attachment to the purse and its concerns, which
nobody affects to conceal, the feelings
turally transferred to the treasury of the nation.
Designing men may excite the Jealousy OF an unln'
telligent MACS against the economy and pecuniary
integrity of the most prudent and the purest Even
that plainest of American republicans, and honest of
men. John Quincy Adams, could not bear u gainst
! the ridiculous but base attacks of his enemies
| for the extravaganza OF the famous East Room.
But his malignant and unprinciped alanderers
! knew the community they meant TO hoodwink,
/ and SO palnaed on them the Infamous shame ofrep-
resennng the economical and even parsimo-
NOUS patriot lavishing the treasures Of the Re
public to CRAFTY his lust for luxurious living and
reckless ostcntation. When set Of men did not
twenty odd years ago despair of making the coun-
try believe that the ascctc statesman and scholar
who all his life pinched his belly and his back from
choice, sybarite and prodigai, similar class
of email bot hungry politicians may hope to
shun il, as their predecessors did, and by the help
| If a clamor about the public expenditures, for
which there are always itching ears, attempt to
cast suspicion upon tho Administration.
The accusations have been proved as false
| nc they we're in the days of Mr. Adams; but with
many they will possibly have the deaired etfect-a
| charge is enougb--with thousand-; they will not
wait, they do not want to know whether il has
been proved or how it has been caused. They
have heard it made, that is enough. Let those who
! hsve read the imputations of Hunter, Borland and
Gwn, take little trouble to look little farther at
the conclusive answers of such mon as Pea rec.
Weller and Dawson, and we will ask no more.
For the amount Of the Government expenses, the
Democrats, no control them by their ovcrwhelm-
ing majority in both Houses, exclusively re-
eponsibe. Let us hear no more. ihen, Of the onor-
! NOUS extravaganza of the Government, for they
can spend nothing but what Congress la. first ap.
propratcd. II these too email or too large,
the fault j, theirs; the responsibility them;
the sin lies at the doors Of the two Houses. But
| what argument can be held with individuals who
are as ignorant ne they censorious, and secm
really 10 believe that Secretary Of the Treasury,
for example. can put bis hand into the public COT
fers, and take out what be wants, easily a
cashier of a bank; and that the President and
heads Of all the Departments help themselves TO
the eagles in the strong box Of the nation their
way to dinner, just they do the wing of turkey
| on their tablcsl Jealousy is good thing some
times and ON proper OCCASIONS; bat no man who Is
| honest himself will be everlastingly suspcoting
other people. more particularly men selected for
their character well as talent.
Base peculntions and designed and criminal ex
travagance have been charged, we believe, against
/ the heads Of every administration which has exist
ed, and have failed Of being proved against one II
this does not begct modesy the part Of those who
act the dishonorable part Of common accusers, the
fact ought to teach the people to discredit them. IL
would be well to mark and rcmembo: the men who
| thus nbusc the freedom OF tho tongue, that the
/ fate Of their groundless aocusations may in due
time be visited upon their authors. There are few
! moro unamiabe characters than self appointed
/ public prosecutors Many men sh such Office,
when sought to be imposed upon them by others
| trade Of accuser general from choice. According
] ly, we find the business confined to a few cquivocal
hands There arc underlings no doubt in every
! government, who wrgglc themselves into con
/ tracts and omploymcnts, for the sole purpose Of
/ turning them to the most profitable account with
out a thought about serving anybody but them
| selves There arc also other persons who busy
] themselves in making vague charges Of extrava
/ gauce against upright administration, not be-
cause they know Of their mismanagement, but
| from violent desire to manage themselves. II
| these two closses would be reformed, wo should be
| rid Of two troublesome sets Of people those who
disgrace their country out Of office. and those who
Disgrace their country in it, those who abuse Off.
cial trusts; and those who struggling to obtain
! Them 10 do the same thing.