Washington sentinel., 1853-10-15
OFFICIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE
ELECTIONS.


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OFFICIAL INTERFERENCE IN THE
ELECTIONS.
In the course Of our political readings, we
have seen many eloquent denunciations OF the
interference of ofice-holders in elections. These
denunciations have naturally proceeded mostire-
quendy from politicians in opposition, and were,
of course, often without adequate foundation.
They are made as effective appeals to the just
end well-known sensitiveness Of our people to
official dictation, and the disgust everywhere
felt for that imbruted insolence which alone
urges stipendiary Of the government to be-
come brawling partizan, and to use the means
and influence which the government furnishes
to intimidate the people and destroy the free
dom Of elections.
While the pride and good sense the public
are outraged, and propriety and good taste are
disguised by the election brawls and pot-house
drawings of unworthy officials, citizen ought
not to be deprived of his right to entertain, and
on suitable and proper occasions, his opinion
of public affairs because he holds position
under the government. 1t is his birthright to
do SO: and the bestowal of office cannot take It
away from him. Any attempt at such coercion
would be sternly condemned by public opinion,
for it would be offensive to popular sentiment
and hostile to the genius and spirit of our in
stitutions.
We know that II is difficult to draw the pre-
else line between improper interference in elec-
tions and an honest and justifable expression
OF opinion-a just and legitimate exercise of
personal nAuence-although the extreme cases
that may bv cited are as far apart as the zenith
and the nadir. We have nowhere seen more
successfnlef perform this diiiculttask, than
that which was made by hepresent nthonored Chief
Magistrate, when member of the Senate OF
the United States from the State of New Hamp-
shire. in speech delivered on the first and
second Of July, ls4l, on.Mr. Buchanan's reso-
luton calling for the names of those who had
been dismissed from Office In that portion OF
his speech which relates to the interference OF
oHfce-holders in elections, General Pierce says:
nThere is but one sensible, practicable rule on
this subject Ifthc discretion Of the Office holders
will not observe it, lei them feel the effect OF IT,
IN is this: when public officer neglects the
duties of his Office for political purposes, prostl-
tu,es il for political ends in any way abuses the
trust confided TO him, to promote the objects of a
party he should be rentosed; and so far as know,
nv party Weld to that principle their cordial as
sent. But when you transcend tins yon assam the
public officer in the free and unembarrassed exer-
else OF his inaienable rights secured TO him by
,h< ion ms III n
Here we have two things sketched graphical
" and distinctly. First, that impertinent and
criminal interference which deserves punish
ment: and secondly, the exercise OF that proper
influence which cannot be repressed without
violating the inalienable rights that appertain
TO every officer as man and a citizen. Recent
events which have attracted no little attention,
and given rise to much excitement. affords us an
opportunity to illustrate sound rule by oppo-
site examples.
Mr. John Cochrane, the surveyor ofethe port
Of New York, on recent occasion abandoned
his official post, neglected his official duties, and
abused the trust confded in him-not to pro-
mote the objects of a party, but to carry out the
infamous purposes Of a venal and corrupt fac
ton. Accompanied by ahorde his subordinatcs,
and followed by gang ofrufians he proceeded
TO Syracuse. Openly and in the face of day he
misused and abused his official influence in
order to carry out his purposes, and in leagae
with the ruffian gang from. the city Of New
York, he broke up the democratic convention
and then, presuming to speak in the words OF
authority he directed his accomplices to utter a
series offalsehoods-c deliberate, fasehoods
-in order to cover up and hide from the pnb.
lie the base motives which actuated them.
This we present as an instance of that crim
nal and impertinent interference which deserves
punishment. We now proceed to present an
example Of the exercise of that proper inhu
ence which cannot be repressed without vio
lating the inalenable rights that appertain to
every officer as a man and citizen.
Hon. Greene c. Bronson, the collector Of the
mort of New York, man of eminent talents and
irreproachable character, a faithful and efficient
officer. commanding the esteem Of his adverse
ries and the devotion Of his friends, was labor
ing earnestly in the discharge of the duties OF
an Office which he did not seek, when he re-
csived an invitation TO enter the arena of party
politics, to lend the influence Of his name and
Of bis official position, and above and beyond
all, the commanding influence Of his eminent
abilities and high integrity, to sanction and sus-
tain the lawless proceedings Of Van Buren, Coch-
rane and their followers. Hedeclined the insult