Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-23
FOeeGOm of Elections from Executive
interference.

FOeeGOm of Elections from Executive
Interference.
In the admirable reply of Maj Donelson to the
official notification of his selection the American
candidate Tor the Vice Presidency, he mentions
among the evils to which the demorazing tehden-
cy of modern politics has brought us, the interfer
ence Of the Executive, through his numerous and
supple officials, with the freedom OF elections. The
Norfolk papers furnish oppOrtune Illustration Of
this in the conduct of certain officers of the Navy
Yard at Portsmouth At the recent municipal elec
ton vigilance committees, made up in great part OF
boss wOTkmen and contractors, were appointed to
operate among the employees and laborers Of the
Navy Yard, and Induce them by the dread of be-
ing discharged, to vote the Democratic ticket.
short time ago Portsmouth gave several hundred
American m jOrity, but under the terror system
introduced the late election that majority
reversed. As sequel to the plan, we learn from
the Norfolk Herald of the lltn, that nineteen men
who had the independence to vote the American
ticket were discharged on the 10th. Thus the spir
rit of prescription descends from the President to
the meanest official under him, and every mental of
power becomes petty tyrant, to restrain the in
dependence OF the people, and coerce the freedom
of the popular will
The " ashington Sentinel avows itself in favor of
the one term principle for the Presidency, assigning
as its reason, the undue advantage the incumbent
has in controlling the action OF the people by the
distribution OF the enormous patronage with which
he is endowed. A most striking example of this,
the Sentinel thinks is furnished in the case of the
present Executive, who is candidate Tor re cleo
ton, and whose pretensions, that journal alleges,
are only made formidable by the activity of those
who receive their daily bread from his hands.
When such alarming abuses as this have crept
into the administration OF the government, it is
time for good men to band themselves together for
reform. Ii Is time that recurrence should be
made TO the practice and principles Of those who
framed and fret administered the government The
Democratic party claim to be the disciples OF JEFF
iersOn, but their in this matter demonstrates
the hypocrisy of their professions and their utter
disregard of the real principles of that great
What wers Mr.. Jeferson's views in relation to the
interference with elections by Office holders? We
quote his own language, in letter previous to his
! election to the Presidency: One thing will cay,
that TO the future, interference with elections,
! whether Of the State or General Government, by
| the officers of the latter should be deemed
| If reaOUdt, because the constitutional remedy by
! the elective principle becomes nothing it 1t may be
smothered by the enormous patronage of The Gene
| raj Government"
! This the language of Mr. Jefferson before
his elevation to the Presidency. In order to shoS
| how important he regarded the matter-and what
! steps he took 10 carry out his views, quote the
following from a circular which the heads OF de-
partments Issued by his Order after he became Pre-
| sident:
''The President OF the United States has seen
with dissatisfaction officers of the general govern
ment taking various occasions, active parts in
| elections OF public functOnaries, whether Of the
/ general or the State governments. Freedom Of
elections being essential to the mutual indepsn
dence Of governments and OF different branches OF
the same govern ment, 80 vitality cherished by
most OF our constitutions, il is deemed improper
/ a. Il. n 81. -.
Union 10 attempt 10 control influence The free
elective right This, am instructed, therefore, To
! notify all officers within my Department., holding
their appointment under the authority OF the Pre-
sident directly and TO desire them 10 notify TO all
/ subordinate 10 them. The right Of any officer to
give his vote at elections qualified citizen is not
meant TO be restrained, nor, however given, shall
it have any effect 70 his prejudice but il Is expect
ed that be will not atfRDt 10 influence The votes Of
Others, fake any part ia The business Of election
eering, that beingl dreued inconsistent with spirit
| Of the Constitution aud his duties to IT,"
las circular had the desired effect and the abuse
\ which &c was designed TO correct Was for a long
time afterwards unknown. When Gen. Jackson
beanie President, he charged BY implication, in his
inaugural address,. that Mr. Adams administration
had brought the patronage Of the government in
conflict with the freedom Of elections rnd referred
TO this abuse as one which he had been chosen to
reform. This is his language: ''The recent demon
stratiOu Of public sentiments inscribes on the LET
Of Executive duties in characters too legibe 10 be
overlooked, the task Of reform, which viii require
particularly the correction of those abuses that have
brought fLe patronage Of fhs FisralgoreraEssat
| TO rOHficf cifh tie Freedom Of sisefie as
| Whether Gen. jackson CONFIRMED in practice TO
bis pseeepts, We stall not stop 10 enquire. IL is
enough 10 know that be recognized, at that early
day calling for the hand Of reform, the hrst ap.
I preach 70 an abuse that has become appaIlIngiy
prevalent But, notwithstanding the hight authOd-
/ y Of Jefferson and jackson, those who are wons
10 swear BY these patron saints OF Democracy nos
repadiaie and lrznpls the principles they meal
Gated. The enlisted soldiers OF the administration.
the Palace uooTs Of the Exeeatse. are made the
braves OF party TO teFrfy and sabdas all sho would
act wiGh the independence OF American fF~emen.
= Is voadsrfel that hr. Donelson should have
found himself under the Necessity OF scvering his
connection wiih party whose practices ara 50 an
tAgOassic 70 the teaching OF is founders, and %
Incompatible WIKI tEai popular Sovereignty which
L Is the M ss cherished idea OF our pe9peg-LsnGh