Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-28
A Good Move, and from tho Right Quarter

Good Move, and from the Right Quarter.
In casually CHANGING, a few days ago, over
the columns of our esteemed contemporary
the Richmond Enquirer, our eye was attract
| ed by record of the proceedings had in Il
Democratic meeting, held in the county OF
Chesterfield Virginia, on the l4th inst, and
at which the following preamble and resolu-
ton were adopted, as expressing tho senti-
ments of the Chesterfield Democracy, "in
common with that of Virginia, the South
aid the Union"
Whereas. the Democracy Of Chesterfield. in COM
mon with that of the State, the South. and of the
Union believe that to the of our principles
we indebted alike for the benefits of the past
and our hopes of the future and that any attempt
Ell departure from the established usagcs of the
Democratic party can but he productive of discord
and Reorganization. frequent recurrence To first
principles is dictated not les by policy than duty.
That we believe the Northern doctrns ct rotation
!" attire, merely far ne s"ke NJ rotation. doc
trjnc ret "uiy aisp 10 our srH bit detrimental 10
our bs. intcre.t,: that since the origin Of our Gov
eminent, reward the faithful. continue the eff
Client and elevate the mcrtnrious. has always been
the settled policy of tn. South that il is this poll
ry which, in rcwarding merit. benefits alike the
giver and receiver: that to this il the South to a
T
statesmen in the Federal Councils, for that fearless
fidelity with which they discharge their trust. up
held by II consciousness that generous constitu-
cpcy will sustain. and IN approaching people VIII
/ reward then; therefore.
Rc.oired That while we do not favor ncumben-
cy without merit. The d,ctrin' ~ rotation IN oF'ce
~ do"trins nile" 10 pe"pie. and to "hi"h a,
Democrat.. ,rc utterly and unaiterabiy "ppos'd.
We are glad to notice that in this case of
frequent recurrence to first principles "a
praiseworthy habit IF our Virginia friends
the Chesterfield Democracy, speaking for
themselves not only, but in the name of their
runfederates throughout the Union. have dis
cardcd a pc>tilent dogma OF political pros
criptun. and one which has heretofore re-
ceived its chief countenance and support
from illustrious leaders and exemplars Of the
Democratic party. On what precise hiSori-
cal grounds, however, they ascrbe pecu-
liarlv .Northeyn origin to the doctrine in
question. we are unable to say. Nor do We
distinctly understand how far back they are
wont to 20 in their periodical recurrence to
the first principles of Democratic wisdom
and orthodoxy. But We suppose that decla-
rations cuntemporane"us with the origin vi
our present Constitution, if made by the re-
c"gnized cxpounders of Virginia Democracy,
will deserve to pass under the name and style
of the first principles which constitute the
heritage Of the faithful.
We take leave. therefore, to remind our
Virginia friends that they are i'll some dan
ger of ignoring one of the maxims propoun-
dcd by him whom more than any other
American statesman they have been in the
habit of generating, As the fountain of poll
teal wisdom and the father of the Demorra-
tic party. We allude, of course, Ia Mr. def
ferson, who rs early as the year lISI, dis
tinctly espouSed the doctrine of rotation in
office. not only as IL Legitimate doctrine in
practical politics, but rs deserving to be in
corporatcd among the organic pruIis of
the fundamental law. Writing to Mr. Madi
son from Paris. in the year l1S7, he assign
cd rs second in number and Importance
among his objections to the Constitution
framed by the Convention assembled at Phil
elphia. that its terms indicated 1.-The aban
donment in every instance Of the principle
of rotation in office He would hay" had
this principle cngrafted in the charter of our
libertes-->o indispensable did he deem II 10
the pcrpetuation of our republican institu
tons. He specially signalizcd its omission
20 make the President ineligible for II second
term. rs a great defect in the preeent Con
stitutiun.
When the Wings proposed practically TO
supply th. alleged defect by what they call
cd the zone term principle" in reference to
the Presidential office, we believe the Demo
Gratis of Virginia forgot to ''recur" 10 the
maxims Of Mr. Jefferson on this score, and,
while sturdily resisting the doctrine of ''ro-
tation." as restrained and applied to the
highest Office in the peoples gift, they stoutly
maintained that in its application to the
merely ministerial officers OF the Govern
mcnt, it was not only very wise and proper,
but also a very Democratic measure Of prac.
teal politics
We are glad to see, however, that in r"cnr
ring to first principles" as they now UNI
der<tand them, portion Of the Democracy
of Virginia have put their stamp OF dlsap-
probation on the doctrine of rotation mere
" for rotation sake" and have determined
to substitute in its stead the better policy
which lin rewarding merit, benefits alike
the giver and receiver" Of official trusts
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