Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-18
A 6.reat prinoiple-A tsf.at Contrast.

A Great Principle-A Great Contrast.
No man who has examined our systems Of gov
erument, both State and Federal, viii deny that
the right Of suffrage lies at their foundation. To
be In full accordance with all the doctrines Of re-
publicanism, this right must DO exercised by the
voter, uninauencod by power, or the oorrupting
temptations Of interest
What is the present condition of that right under
the administration Of Franklin Piercef He was
elected by the Jefersonian, Jacksonian Democra-
cy, as a faithful disciple Of those great men. We
viii quote some Of the doctrines on that subject,
put forth by them and other Presidents who fol-
lowed in their wake, in maintaining that principle,
and then show the contrast between them and
General Pierce and his Cabinet.
Mr. JEFFERSON.
On the I'd February, 1901, he wrote to Cover
nor Mexican, as follows:
Zone thing will say that as to the future In
reference with elections, whether of the State or
General Government by officers Of tho latter should
be deemed cause Of removal; because the consti-
tutional remedy by the elective principle, becume
nothing if il may be aaothered by the enormous
patronage of the General Government"
Soon after his election, he caused his heads Of
departments to issue circular, Of which the fol-
lowing is an extract (Niless Register vol 20, p.
274.)
1.-THE President of the United States has seen
with dissatisfaction officers of the General Govern
ment taking, on various occasions, active parts IN
elections of public functionaries, whether Of the
General or State Governments. Freedom OF cleo
tions being essential to the mutual independence
of government, and of the different branches OF
the same government, 80 vitality cherished by most
OF our constitutions it il deemed improper for Of
fcers depending on the Executive of the Union, TO
attempt to control or influence the free exercise OF
the elective franchise. This am instructed, there
fore, to notify all officers within my department,
holding their appointments under the authority OF
the President directly, and to desire them to notify
all subordinate to them. The right of an officer to
give his vote at elections as qualified citizen, is
not meant to be restrained, nor, however given,
shall it have any effect to his prejudice but it is
expected he will not attempt to influence the votes
OF Others nor take any part In the business OF cleo
toneering that being deemed inconsistent with
the spirit of the constitution, and his duties to It,
General jackson, in his inaugural address, used
the following brief but expressive sentiment on the
subjectt
| "The recent demonstration of public sentiment
inscrbes in the list of Executive duties in charac-
tiers too legible to be overlooked, the task OF re-
form which will require particularly the correc-
ton of those abuses that have brought the patron
age Of the federal government into conflict with
the freedom of elections, and the counteracticn OF
those causes which have disturbed the rightful
course of appointment and have placed or contin-
ued power in unfaithful or incompetent hands,"
President Harrison directed the issuing of cir
cular. so similar to that of Mr. Jefferson that we
may well suppose it was used as pattern, thereby
| 1 to Iap
racy he was than the present incumbent On the
goth March, 1S4l, Mr.. Webster, as Secretary Of
State, issued the following instructions to the De-
partments:
| GENERAL HARRIsoN's CIRCULAR.
"The President is Of opinion that it is great
abuse to bring the patronage OF the general gov
eminent into conflict with the freedom OF elections,
and that this abuse ought to be corrected wherever
it-may have been permitted to exist and TO be pre-
vented for the future.
"He therefore directs that information be given
TO all officers and agents In your department Of the
public service that partisan Interference in popu.
lar elections, whether OF State officers officers OF
| this government, and for whomsoever or against
| whomsoever Il may be exercised, or the payment
of any contribution or assessment on salaries or
official compensation for party or election pur-
poses, will be regarded as cause of removal
/
| strained In the free and proper expression and
maintenance of his opinions respecting public men
or public measures or In the exercise to the fullest
degree of the constitutional right Of suffrage but
| persons employed under the government and paid
for their services out Of the public treasury, are
not expected to take an active part in attempts TO
influence the minds or votes OF others, such con-
duct being deemed inconsistent With the spirit OF
the constitution, and the duties Of public agents
acting under IL and the President Is resolved, 30
far as depends upon him, that whilo the elective
franchise BY the people shall be free from undue
influences Of official action and authority, opinion
shall also be free among the officers and agents Of
the government"
Compare the conduct Of the present unhappy
administration with the principles set forth in the
foregoing aIioms Of repubicanism, and the blush
Of shame must rise in the cheek Of every friend Of
his couutry's honor. Not only has every Executive
Department Of the government been brought into
conflict with the freedom Of election In the States
but the manner in which they have violated that
sacred right has been as odious as the act itself
Every variety Of influence has been eIerted over
the employees Of the government to force them
to obey the orders from headquarters. The threat
Of immediate removal from ofice--an act 30 ruin
GUS to the dependent and embarrassed clerk, and
the naughty manner in which the orders have been
conveyed to the victims Of oppression, have com
bined to strip them at the same moment Of their
rights and their selfrespect In this city, officers
in the departments we're required to vote an open
ballot, and agents we're stationed at each ward to
note their proceedings. Several Of the most In
ferior grades Of employees, laborers, and messen-
gers, as well clerks, have been already removed
for disobedience
But that which shocks the feelings Of the CON-
munty and will continue TO eIasperate public
opinion against General Pierce and his Cabinet, is
his heartless prescription Of laboring mechanics,
in the varions navy yards and other public estab.
lishments. II is tyrannical effort to convert free
men into serfs and yassals. II shows that the
administration is a tyranny, precisely analogous
TO that of James the Second whose principal
weapon against Professionalism in England, was the
removal Of Protestants from public employments,