Washington sentinel., 1856-04-08

BeA- When we behold a common man raised
by accident to the grandeur of the White House,
We naturally expect some modes,y in his con-
duct, and some Difference for the wisdom and
services OF superior men.
Bat the creatures OF accident are seldom
supplied with justice, moderation, or gratitude.
The attributes which they possess lie in the
opposite extreme, and conceit, vanity, aud pre-
sumption denote them truly. Led by sordid
and ignoble motives, they foolishly conclude
that as they reached the summit without nny
assistance from personal virtue, exl lgrience,
or abilities, cunning, impotence, and corrup-
ton viii retain them there And really we
must confess that $50, 100000 of official pa
tronage under the control Of sordid and un-
scrupulous politician, who uses his Office to
prolong his power, are fearful odds against the
sense and virtue OF the present age.
We have lived in venal times, and have be-
held, with disgust, the avarice Of power; but
never, until now, have we formed an idea OF
the extent and magnitude of that fatal vice.
We now see the whole army Of officials quar-
tered in the citadels Of power soaring the timed,
subduing the feeble, and coTupting the venal,
to continue the dynasty OF a common man,
whom nothing but accident placed in the lead
If any Democrat shall venture to assert senti
ments which initiate against the continuance
Of power in the present Executive, means are
taken to revile him, TO drive him, if possible,
out Of the party, or TO stiae his independence
in a milder way
In an able article published in the January
number Of the Democratic Review here, the
reviewer quoted the sentiments and opinions
Of great statesman in favor Of single Pres.
Dental term, and which we venture 10 repeat
on account Of the wisdom which adorns them
Intrigue and corruption are the natural
defects OF elective government; but when the
head Of the State can be reelected, these evils
rise TO great height and compromise the very
existence Of the country. When a single
candidate seeks to rise by intrigue, his man
oeuvers must necessarily be limited TO narrow
sphere; but when the Chief Magistrate enters
the lists, he Jorrows the strength of the Gorern.
mcnt for his opa selfish purposes In the for.
mer case, the feeble resources Of an individual
are in action; in the latter case, Aie State a.
setf, NTH all its immense influence, IS hurled IN
the cork of corruption and cabdi. The private
citizen who employs the most immoral prac.
tees to acquire power, can only act in man
ner indirectly preiudicial to the public pros.
perity; but II Tie Representatives Of he Erecn-
tire dcscends into lie lists, The cares Of 0orern.
merf d,cindLe into secondary importance and
the success Of lis election is his first concern.
All laws and negotiations are TO him nothing
more than eleciioneering schemes places Je.
come The re1drd Of services rendered, not 10 the
nation. but 10 is chicc IL Is impossiLieto 70 con.
rider The ordinary course IF affairs IN the Jnited
Suites withom presuming that tie desire If Je.
ing reelected is tie chaf aim Of tie President
that his rhole 1dmmistration, and eren has
most indifferent measures, tend 10 his object
and ttdt, as He crisis approaches, his personal
interest takes he ptqce Of. his interest in he
public good"
The reviewer, having endorsed this powerful
reasoning, applied it to the present times. by
stating that the truth Of these observations !
confirmed by the experience Of every hour
and it must be admitted that the statesman
and the reviewer painted picture 70 the very
life.
Yet the head Of power bore down the re.
viewer and pitched his doctrines into the canal,
where they stsgnated for season, but rose 10
the surface, and again appear in the March
number Of the Review.
Behold the conduct of the Union, public
press reared and supported by the Democratic
party, yet as fully ensaved and subjugated by
Executive power and as wholly devoted to the
selfish personal desires Of a single man, as If