The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-04-10
Rotation in Office.

We extract Il lew paragraphs from an able
article on this subject, in the .Sou!A, n new pa
per established al Richmond by Roger A. rrv-
or the former editors of the Enym;rcr; in whirh
he Strikingly P"r,rays the corruption, the sac
Hitice Of principle and the party d~"rganiza-
ton, which the inliscri'ninate application of
the rotation policy woulI Introduce. Within
certain limits, the principe is Just and proper.
Zach administration is pledged to the support
of certain We'll defined policy; for the sue
cess Of which, it is rcSIonsibic and it is there
fore the duty of tl,r President TO fill the chief
Offices of Government with men who can CO.
operate III its support. Upon change Of
party, it is necessary that the chief stations
both at home and abroad should be vacated,
and filled hy men, pledged to carry out the
policy OF a new administration !; but the great
body of subordinate Offices the duties of which
are independent Of party politics, and which
require for their discharge business capacity.
and integrity merely, should be left untouched
So even where there is no change OF policy in
the administration, it would seem that the new
President should select his own Constitutional
advisers, consisting as they do of men with
whom lie will hold the most intimate relations
of pcrsonal intercourse during his official term;
but any change beyond this can be justified
only on the principle that to the victors belong,
the spoiIs:
"Ihe retention of Col. Bigger as Postmaster
in this city, of Dir. Colcorli rs Collector Mt
Charleston, and some other instances of reap.
pontmcnts in the South, warrant the hone. if
not the absolute conclusion, that the President
docs not mean to apply the vilanons policy
of 'rotation in Office to. this section of the
Confcdcracy. These gratifying assurances re-
inforcc the inference which the public tlcducc
from 3lr Buchnnnn's character and antccc-
dents for, although in the North he dis,rb.
utes the patronage on the spoils principle, vet
everybody knows that the instincts of his
nature and the convictions Of his Judgment,
are overcome by the irresistible pressure of Il
corrupt public opinion.
"This policy of rotation in Office" as an.
piled toindividua!s. in the same pnrty, is aLhor-
rent to every generous sentiment and repug-
nant to every sense of justice. 1t is proper
enough. when one Administration is replaced
by another OF different party and principles
+ that the President should entrust the govern
mentt to men who possesses his confidence and
concur in his views of public policy. Even in
this case, there is danger lest the principle be
pushed ton vicious extreme. But when there
Is'no such succession of opposite parties in the
EoHcfhiItcht-"tlen Tie popular voice has all
thoriZedt mo radical change in the policy of
notwithstanding, and the retiring President is
succeeded by n person Of his own way of
thinking, in public aifnirs, it is idle to attempt
to justify rotation in office" or any other prin-
ciple except on tlea atrocious maxim that to
the victors belong the spoils
at is impossible that n statesman Of Mr..
Bnchnnan's experience and dignity of charac.
ter. could apply the policy of rotation of of;
ice to his own. supporters and the adhcronts
of the party which placed him in power except
under pressure Of an extraordinary emcreen-
cy. Surely it cannot be in accordance with
his ideas Of justice, aud expediency to eject
faithful and iperitorious functionaries from Of
fee, when they are Of bis own party. and sup.
port his Administration, with the. single and
exclusive object of creating vacancies for the
reward of his personal retainera If is not
consistent with his fidelity to the party and his
conception. of Of its mission, 10 compel it. like
Saturn, to devour its own offspring.
."But, Mr.. Buchanan is an amiable gentle.
man and person peculiarly sensible to the
obligations OF friendship. This praiseworthy
feeling, cooperating. with certain convictions
of policy in the distribution of patronage in
the mon. .slaveholding States. has persuaded
him to yield to. the eiamor> Of ravenous polti.
clans in that section. Hesdeeided to apply tile
principle Of rotation in the North, and what
do We behoidY Public sentiment in that
quartor is s'dcbhuched beyond the chance of
any restoration Of. healthy tone. The party
is disorganiZel the fscti6ns Of the ShellssaSe
fighting ferecr tim ever and they have trans.