Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-04
Day..-Appointments to Office.

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Augusta Rockbridge Rockingham, Shehahoo"h' i''
dy, Pendeton and Highland.
Inauguration Day---Appointments to Ofhce'
The inauguration of James Buchanan, the nj
teenth President of the United States, will take
place at the national capital to day. The crowd
of people assembled in Washington from allparts
of the Union, as reported by the newspapers for
some days past is unprecedented; and the pa
geantry and festivities of the occasion VIII sur
pass everything of the kind heretofore known IN
this country. A few months ago nearly the
whole world was represented at the coronation
of the Emperor of Russia; the glowing accounts
of that great show, which was well enough sui
ed to the character of military despotism, may
have suggested to our Democratic couhtryinen
the idea of investing this induction into once OF
a new President with unusual splendor.-
Whether or no the parade and pomp correspond
with the simplicity of Republican gov
eminent and institutions we Shall not discuss !;
but there has undoubtedly been q great depart
ure from the custom of former times. One OF
the strangest features in the celebration Is, that
States rights men, who seek to subordinate the
Federal Government to the States, will enter
into it as heartily as any other people. Even
Governor Wise, who during his celebrated cam
vass complained so bitterly of Richmond going
to Washington" has himselfbeen there to consult
with Mr.. Buchanan about the new admnistra-
tration. Truly did PrentiSs say years ago-and
it is more true now-"The patronage OF the
General Government is like magnet stretched
over the land, and demagogues like iron filings
gather around its poles"
There is rather saddening view OF the In
auguration which presents itself to our mind
Four years ago all eyes were turned towards
Franklin Pierce. Crowds waited on his footsteps
and rendered him their service. This afternoon
he will ride down Pennsylvania Avenue unat-
tended and unnoticed. The same fate awaits
President Buchanan; thousands who fawn up
on and fatter him, will care for him as little four
years hence as they now do for President Pierce.
But we shall be surprised if the number OF
Mr.. Buchanan's peculiar admirers is not consld-
erably reduced long before the expiration OF his
term of office. Until the "spoils" are distributed
the President will have no lack of friends. Ev-
cry man that voted for him is hoping for some
thing, and every Democratic stump orator feels
sure of getting foreign mission or an old par
of breeches. When O Democrat succeeded
Wing in the Presidency, the expectations OF
reasonable number of the faithful could be graf
flied, and the party was saved from split
How the matter can be adjusted now is more
than we can tell Every Federal office in the
country, worth having, is filled by Democrat
and shall the good and authordox incumbent be
dismissed to make way for hungry out slider
Which ever course the President may determine
upon, he is likely to make an enemy. Mr.
Buchanan has no doubt fully considered the di-
emma, and we hope he is prepared for it. lie
is at any rate entitled to the respectful sympa-
thy of all those who, expecting nothing Tor
themselves, will experience no personal dlsap
pointment in the distribution of the loaves and
fishes. We trust he will retain the present Of
flee holders because, in the first place, the Dem
ocratc doctrine of rotation in office" is false in
principle and injurious in practice; and second
ly, the swarm in possession of the hive is pre-
sumed to be somewhat gorged already, and
consequently will require less to keep them than
the furnishing horde struggling to get in.
There is a vigorous effort making, however,
to put this favorite Democratic doctrine into
practice. The office of Marshal of the District
of Columbia, for instance is held by Demo-
crat; vet Mr.. Fayette McMuen is striving with
might and main to obtain the place for himself {;
and what is more significant majority of the
Democrats in Congress sustain his pretensions.
twill indeed be hard case for Marshal Hoover,
if after his onerous labors at the Inaugural
ton, he shall be thrust out Of office. We OBJ
serve that he has been hard at work, appoint
ing deputies, and busy as bee night and day
to have everything ready for the grand ceremo
ny; and old Buck will be stern old fellow if
he refuses to acknowledge these important SER
vices
A few months ago we happened to overhear
q conversation between two Democrats upon
this matter of appointment to office. 1t was in
a railroad car between Richmond and Peters
burg We felt no interest in the subject and
certainly did not eavesdrop, but the converse
ton was conducted in so loud tone that we
could not help hearing it. One of the parties
declared with much vehemence that, in his O.
pinion, every Office holder should tender his res
ignation instanter, and leave the President free
to appoint whom he pleased. The other gen.
tleman assented. We do not know, but we took
up the notion that they were abiding particu-
larry to the Custom House in Petersburg.
The Louisa C.. III. Hotel.