Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1857-01-30
PRESCRIBING PRESCRIPTION.

FNOSNRhOA4S1 ENOcCRlFIlON.
Some of the opponents of the incom-
ing Administration are beginning already
to manifest the most lively concern touch
ing the course likely to be pursued by
President BUCHANAN in the distribution
of official patronage. Some of the most
vindictivc enemies Of the Democratic
party. who wrote down the most bitter
things against its principles and its can.
didates, during the recent canvass, have
now the hardihood to deprecate the scan
Dial which Democratic Administration
would bring upon itself, and upon the
country, by continuing its appointments to
its political friends. Were parties con-
stituted now as formerly there might be
good reason aud sound policy in selecting
fncumbents of Office from each of them
Under every Administration there have
been appointees who entertained political
opinions adverse to those of the Presi-
dent; but then they belonged to party
of liberal principles, which they were
ever ready, openly and freely, to express.
Has any Know-nothing in this broad
land shadow Of claim to such considera-
ton? Is there one not under obligation
to prescribe everybody outside of their
organization, and solely for opinion sake?
Their prescription extends too, not mere
ly to offices, but to the common rights Of
citizenship. 1t is based on no difference
of principle. and is exercised openly and
avowedly in defiance of the highest prin-
ciples that have hitherto been recognized
as American and republican. They pro-
scribe men for their religious faith-for
their birth, without regard to character,
intelligence or other qualifications, and
not less for the sole reason that, although
natives and Protestants, they refuse to
join in an unlawful and unholy combina-
ton, however much they may approve
the idea of making our government in
all things true representative of Amer
ican sentiments and Observation-Disclosures.
No one need be told that this is not
merely theoretical on the part of the
members of this organization. They
have carried their views into practice
with haste that shows how eager they
were to illustrate this great American"
doctrine of prescription. Wherever they
attaiaers political power the same result
has been seen. Constituted as their
party was, they were compelled to confer
sh:e;;.. ss=..=ssr.s upon persons utterly inconi-
petent for the Offices they sought, or else
to reward the shameless treachery Of
those, who, to secure an Office, deserted
the friends to whom they owed whatever
of previous position they occupied, with
out even the pretence of a change Of
political views. Nor has their proscrip-
ton been confined to the Offices which
other parties have ordinarily considered
as the politicians reward They at
tackled the judiciary, and proclaimed
that one great object of their organiza-
ton was to put upon the bench men
sworn to submit to their dictation. To
accomplish this, they removed honored
judges without shadow of cause, glory
ing in the shameful prescription to which
no other political party ever stopped.
These are the men who complain of
the exclusion Of their confederates from
Office. Displaying in their whole course
a disregard for the rights of others, they
yet expect to be treated in return with
dclicacy and consideration. They will
find themselves disappointed. President
BUCHANAN will kindly afford them an.
opportunity to learn the lesson which
they need SO much to be taught He
can have no choice in this matter. It's
simple duty which he cannot with any
sense of self-respect fail to discharge. -
To call it prescription may suit the pur-
poses of his enemies, but it will be per-
version of the facts from which he will
have nothing to fear He cannot have
men about him who could be regard
cd in no other character than as political
spies.
DEATHS AT THE CRY or ASNAPoLrs.