The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-27

APPOINTMENT OF LITERARY MEN TO OFFICE Thou.
sands of PERSONS of both sexes, have heard with gratf-
cation OF the appointment OF Nathaniel Hawthorne
consul to Liverpool. The lucrative Office il is sad in
the gilt OF the governments not because Mr. Hawthorne is
attached 10 this that political partyfor many OF these
scarcely know in what consists the distinctions between
democrat and whg-but because he is delightful writer
whose books and tales have been them source Of en-
oyment in their leisure hours.
President Van Buren, set most excellent example, and
one which regret has been closely followed
by his successors, In appointing 10 office OF letters
who (whIle the emoluments attached thereto would be
welcome and to them) would devote portion of their
time collecting such information would add maeri
ally the stock of native literature, and afford de-
light and instruction to their countrymen at home We
could recall several instances OF appointments OF this
ure made by Mr. Van Buren,, but they doubtless
fresh in the minds OF most readers
1t has been frequently charged by their opponents, that
the democratic party composed OF the Ignorant and the
deba.ed and that education and intelligence the only
requisites necessary make lis members the OF
their way Yet il is fact, which cannot be gansaid
that the chief in the American literary armament
have been noted for their firm adherence-we might al
most say enthusiastic devotion-to the principles OF the
democratic party. The first OF poets, the first Of hsto
rians and the first OF novess, are, in their life
time democrats and il would be safe to say that very
great majority of those whose works have reflected the
highest honor upon American literature attached 10
the democratic party. This fact OF itself is sufficient
reualon OF the calumny that ignorance and democracy
| 60 hand in hand.
II is indeed. the universal experience OF the world that
the great lights OF lteraure-ihose most eminent for the
brlancy OF their genushave been attached 10 the most
liberal party in politics, Men OF genius and high intel
lectual endowmens usually possess and generous
hearts, whose sympathies all the side OF freedom
OF thought and acton The distinguished writers
OF continental Europe 10 prison il exile, on
account OF their written thoughts being in too little uni.
son with despo,sm to suit the tastes the esiey OF the
rulers The democratic party in the United States being
the more liberal, we hnd the literary class generally at.
tached to IT.
But wba, we sa, down 10 say was 10 express the hope
that in future Presidents would pay respect 10
the claims OF literary than has heretofore been done
The secretary who writes clever despatch is thought
worthy OF the highest honors. Why should the man
who has spent yeats in producing book which adds
the fame Of common country, and assists IN making
her independent OF foreign authors, be considered less
worthy We do not say that every poor wretch who
pres to aut horsbp should be made Secretary OF State
far from it but where writer Of evident and unms-
taxable talent has by his works rendered service 10 the
county, we think the government could not do better
than give him berth which would 10 render
his talents available Many OF the most valuable works
in our literature have been produced by who OBJ
tanned their materials while in the service OF the govern.
ment AMI who, but for that fact would have been nm
able to gather the information thus given the public
We are reading people, tbrsting after knowledge and
we think the government should encourage rather than
discourage this national propensity.
lNsp albany Ledger.