Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-03-10
MIR. Jefferson on the right Of Suffrage


"The spoils Of victory belong to the victors,"
was a maxim which Jefferson never incorpor-
ated into bis system Of politics. He regarded
the very idea Of such principle as unwor-
thy Of Freemen, and inconsistent with the
spirit and design Of the right Of free and u-
dependent suffrage. The maxim may be just
and right when applied to victors in the Geld
Of battle but when applied to our fellow cit
izens Of equal merit, and of equal rights, when
a mere political victory is achieved, is striking
death blow at the very vitals of The great
est and most sacred right Of Froemen, and is
portentous Of most dire consequences, 10 our
happy country, and free institutions. Free
men Of The United States Of Americ,.yo have
the right of fsuffrage but remember il you ex-
ercise this right according TO your own con.
sciense. and views Of what is right before God
and your country, and you should happen to
be in the minority, you are doomed to suffer
political decapitation For the spoils of vic
tory belong to the victors." This is the max.
i'm Of every political clique and party in our
country, and extends practically from the
President of these United States down 10 the
lowest officer in the township, and yet we are
told that the right OF suffrage is enjoyed un-
restricted by every freeman. But what was
the principle upon which Thomas Jefferson
acted, who is claimed to be the Father of De-
mocracy.
The following statement is from the pen Of
one who lived in the days Of Jefferson, and
who is Matylander by birth and education
and now an Ell or of one oil the most able and
extensively circulated Journals in the Union
"When very young man we entered
warmly into politics. and joined the" Tamma-
ny s cety OF Baltimore" There were some
among MS who desired Office, and thought
themselves entitled to favor on account Of the
lect'oneering services they had performed
The propriety of Mr.. Jefferson's course became
a subject of discussion in the "wigwam," and
it was finally proposed that the society should
send a remonstrance to the President on til
: subject A gentleman of high standing in the
assoc alton, not only for his intelligence, e, bu
for the wormth Of bis party feelings, suggested
that it would not be good policy to commi
such remonstrance to writing. 1t would
by some means. he said, get abroad, and the
Feberasts would get hold of it, and make i
the subject of appeal to the public, as evidenc,
that the Tammauy Society was an intoleran
t and prosecuting body. and undertook to die
: tate 10 the President. But he proposed thai
the wishes of "tIIe Presidents friends" shoult
be made known 10 him through privat,
channel. He himself intended TO visit Mont
: cello in the course Of the ensuing summer
S and, if authorized by vote of the society
would open the matter to the President
This was agreed to. The gentleman discharl
ed his commission, and made his report. IL
had, he said, stated TO Mr. Jefferson the wish
= rs of his friends in Baltimore" and was lis
Il tened to very respectfully; and that the Pres
= ident replied to the following effect II
should be very glad to crafty his friend
: by turning the Feberslists out of office, an
+ filling their places with those of his own party
o but there was an obstacle in the way whfcl
|, he could not removes question which he ha
4 not been able to solve. Perhaps. said he yo
sir, can do this for me. The gentleman des
paired of solving any problem which puzzle
|
J. We'll, sir said Mr. j., We are Republicans, an
+ are contendng for the extension Of the -igh
n Of suffrage. and even contemplate universe
suffrage. Is it not SO? Yes, sir answer
our messenger. We would not. therefor.
said Mr. Jefferson. pu: any restraints upo
d the right Of suffrage. as it already exists
h By no means, sir, was the reply. Tell mt
then, said Mr.. j.. What is the difference be
tween denying the right of suffrage, an
'e Furnishing a man for exercising it, by turnin
e him out Of office? "I could not" said GU
messenger, "answer Mr.. Jetf4rson's question
and had to leave him where found him.
No, mol this fatal maxim, :" The spoils OF vic
, tory belong TO the victors,' in its applicatio
10 political affairs, did not come from theSoutl
or from Southeren Statesmen, 1t had il
% parentage in The North, and was frs, openl
al avowed by Northern man. If it has nee
r. adopted by Southern politicians, it is an exo
e :, ic; and they had much better have mpor
! ed the "Canada thistle" for it is far NOR
destructive so our republican institution
d Than that pestferous weed is to the product