Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-11-24
For the True Democrat ROTATION NO. 4.

number by extracts embodying the opinions of various of the friends of rotation, and as spe- caly containing their views of certain evils that they allege have arison from disregard of the principle, and also of the peculiar benefits that they predict would flow from its adop- tion. The Hampstead Democrat lets off as follows:
 Close the gates to prcterment and corruption soon pervades the circle of the exclusively exaed.-
 Like the rotten dynasties of the old world they stin in the nostrs even of the subject people, by whose power they maintained in their places. But this IS not the worst evil. Emultation, the hand maiden of progress and enlightenment of nations is choked in her infancy, and the ambitious and deserving as pirants of fame become discouraged and heart bro | ken. They behold those they know to be their in teriors enjoying and abusing positions from which they discover themselves forever debarred and, be- coming disgused with such state of affairs, they cease to put forth their energies"
 "Young South' thus expresses himself in the columns of the Napoleon Planter:
 Every intelligent student of our republican insti- | tutons must know that their stability depends on the good Will of the people, who its component parts, and that nothing much attaches all cti- zens to it's support to allow all in turn, or rotation to enjoy its honors well its burdens-to be go- vernors and officers. well as taxpayers and road | workers. And nothing teaches proud ruler and vain office holder humility, and lessons of equality and democracy, so fast and so well, as to return him by rotation, to private life and place his hum bic neighbor in authority over him..
 In its issue of August 14.h, the Van Ruren lntelIlgencer addresses its readers thus:
 '' We firmly believe that officer. how much soc yer zeal he may have upon first assuming the respon- slblhtles of his position, will gradually lose sight of these responsibilities and consequently be wanting m that zeal requisite 10 the proper discharge of his duty to his constituents. It may be- and actually is urged by the advocates of " continuance" or re- election that the present incumbent will be melted to nf plp, In sary of his election will remind him of his ac- eountably to and dependence upon his const tuents. Very true, and to balance this, he knows the demo cratic party is domnent in this State and is able to keep hm Tn place, therefore he is negligent of his 1 duty.
 Again, it is urged by some that the desire of pre- iermeut Is so strong in the incumbent, that for it's sake he will be induced perform his duty; that it is stronger than the fear of shame We say. not so. T
 The Fort Smith Herald has repeatedly. and scattered through various issues, put forth sen 1 timents coincident with the foregoing; but as we find ill that paper of the issue of July 4th, over the signature of it's correspondent Rota tion,' the same views expressed in more com l pact form, and as they must have had the en- l dorsement of the Herald we quote therefrom :" W hen particular of office seekers hold all offices of profit trust term after term and year at- ter year there Is created in our midst arisocTacy more lntolfcrant and naughty than could be posSi ! ply created by law, and becomes much more danger ous because sanctioned by the voice of the people, 1 who are biindly consummating their own destruc- tion under the delusive hope that they perpetua 1 ang and disseminating the true principles of repub- | licanism.
 Let offices be filled by men freely chosen from | the people, men who have not felt the contanina- ting and corrupt influences that surrounds the office holder who neglects the business of the people for | the purpose of securing his re election. l Nor r this all: The doctrine of perpetuity in of flee must have deleterous effect upon the honest and commendabe aspirations of the talented youths of our country, who must feel that the present in clination to continue the ill office for an indefinite length of time, will fail secure pro- per recognition of their talents and qualifications, thereby taking from them of the greatest nccn- tives to action and study. Look at Arkansas and see if few men have not at all times, since she has been State holden all offices of consequence, and often. too to the exc fusion of far better men who | have been aSpirants for the offices hat has been the effects. Only look at the condition of our State and comment will be unnecessary. The ans wer Is eloquent and unanawcrabie
 l am rcloiced to that democrats are looking to this subject, and that talented editors and profound statesmen are making rotation in office of the cardinal principles ot their faith"
 Now, Mr. Editor, if all, or the greater DOT ton of the representations made in the preced- ing extracts were only true they would afford matter for very grave reflection; and if the prin- ciples of rotation were the only, or even the best, means of correcting the subSisting evils, we would forthwith join the ranks of it's advo cates. But, let us reason together" and see how far we who oppose the application of the principle, are justly subjec; to the charges made It Is said we are in favor of perpetuity in othce,' and that we seek to protect the corrupt; wilt the gentlemen produce the evidence there of? Opposition to rotation does not imply the existence of such feelings and opinions, and we have 20 where, in all that we nave read in op- | .n ln H., al I vanced. They have been expressly dsclamed We might with much greater semblance of truth and proprety charge that the rotatonsts are m favor of retaining in office every officer for the full term of his election or appointment (say for four years,) no matter how grossly the trust might be neglected or abused, no matter how incompetent or corrupt the incumbent- They contend, varously, for one or two terms of service only, (though strictly speaking, the doctrine excludes all beyond single tem) to be followed by permanent retirement, and in all the argument that has fallen under our eve they have never advocated or even adverted to the removal ot delinquent officer prior to the expiration of his term. But shall we charge them with being in favor of such policy? We scorn the dlsengenlousness of the argument. It has, however, on the contrary been again and again said by those holding opinions coincident with our own, that every officer, no matter what his grade or rank, or how long he has filled it. whose removal would subserve the interests of the people, should be removed forthwith if pos- | lble, or If not, as soon the means provided by law can be made to reach him. We sup port no unworthy officer, and sustain none at the expense of the interests of the people
 In considering the next point of our subject we shall hold the advocates of the application of the principle of rotation in office to the ri- gid etymological and conventional signifcation of the tenn as defined in our first number. and as fortified by quotations from rotation authori- ties, to-wit: that at the expiration of single term of service the incumbent of each and every office shall cease to fill, and shall retire from such position, giving place to successor, who ln like manner, at the expiration of single term of service shall also retire, and so on forever The necessity of the adoption of this principle Is said to be the inevitable corruption that sezes upon and overmasters every holder of an office; that 1t is the unfailing and universal effect of official position to make men corrupt, negligent false and aristocratc; that the liberties of the people are in jeopardy, that they are now greatly impaired, and that if speedy action (by rotation, IS not had 1t will, perchance, require a terrible bloody revolution to regain them. "To-niyht we do sup daintily on horrors.' If all these al-
 
 legations be true we think even those who put them forth will be compelled to admit that the chances for reform are exceedingly poor- W here will they find men so immaculate as not to be subject to temptation? they must find those that cannot feel&he emotion since tbev say that it is irresistible in its power. But of what use the search? the moment, no matter how pure as private citizen, the person is placed in office he learns to com prehend and he falls beneath the temptation. The amount of 1t IS that to preserve the liberties of the resi- due of the American people. we shall have to play the Herod with all free white male cti zens above the age of twenty-one years" for none of them can be trusted :-unless indeed we prefer the other alternative and at once abolish-hurl into anarchy aud chaos-al of. ices and all government, the attempt to fill l and administer which has debauched and pros- tituted our people. What a comment have we here upon the capacity of the people for self | government, what an argument in favor of free