The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-09-04
SELECT LITERATURE.
OF WASHINGTON.
The Harrison Administration, 184I.
(CONCLUDED.)

services, ana many Oh WHOM lllu us
placed worthy men whose only fault was
that they belonged to a different party,
were somewhat encouraged by the dec
larations of President Harrison touching
the position of otfice-holders. 1t was
known. from 4 speech of his ut Balti-
more, prior to his Inauguration, that he
intended to protect the sacred right of
individual opinion from official interior
ence, and in a few days after he became
President his celebrated civil service cir
cuIar was issued by Daniel Webster, as
Secretary of. State. 1t was addressed to
the heads of the executive departments,
and it commenced thus:
"SIR:-The President is of the opinion
that it is 4 great abuse to bring the pat
ronage of the general government into
conflict with the freedom of elections:
and that this abuse ought to be corrected
wherever it may have been permitted to
exist. and to be prevented for the future.
He therefore directs that information
be given to all officers and agents i'll your
department of the public service that par
tisan interference i'll popular elections,
whether of State officers or officers Of
this government. and for whomsoever or
against whomsoever it may be exercised,
or the payment of any contribution or
assessment on salaries or official compen-
sation for party election purposes will
be regarded by him as cause of removal.
1t is not intended that any officer shall
be restrained in the free and proper eX-
preston and maintenance Of his opinions
respecting public men or public meas
ulres. or in the exercise, to the fullest
degree. of the constitutional right of suf-
frage. But persons employed under the
government, and paid for their services
out of the public treasury, are not eX-
pected to take an active or otficious part
in attempts to influence the minds or
votes of others, such conduct being
deemed inconsistent with the spirit of
the constitution and the duties of public
agents acting under it: and the Presi-
dent is resolved, SO far as depends upon
him. that, while the exercise of the cleo
tive franchise by the people shall be free
from undue influences of official station
and authority, opinion shall also be free
among the officers and agents of the gov
eminent.
1t would have been fortunate for the
country if these views of President llar-
risen. SO clearly stated by Daniel Web
ster, could have been honestly carried
out; but the horde of hungry politicians
that had congregated at Washington,
with raccoon tails in their hats and pack
ages of recommendations in their pock-
cts clamorcd for the Wholesale action of
the political guillotne, that they might
fill the vacancies thus created. Wings,
fcderaliSts, nation Republicans, strict con-
structionists, bank and anti-bank men.
had coaesced under the motto of L" Mon
of the Wings for the sake Of the Union,'
but they had really united . for the sake
of Office The administration found it
might be found for this hungry horde,
and to disregard its high position Oh civil
service. Virginia was especially clamor-
Gus for places, and Vice President Tyler
became the champion of hundreds who
belonged to the first families, but who
were in impecunious circumstances.
\ direct conflict soon arose between
the President and his Cabinet: he assert
ing his right to make appointments and
removals, while they took the ground
that it was simply his duty to take such
action as they chose to dictate. One
day. after Cabinet meeting Mr.. Web
ster asked the President to appoint one
of his political henchmen, General James
Wilson, of New Hampshire, Governor of
the Territory Of Iowa. President IIarri-
son replied that it would give him pleas
ure to do SO, had he not promised the
place to Colonel John Chambers, of Ken
lucky, his former aide de- camp, who had
been acting rs his private secretary. The
next day, Col. Chambers had occasion to
visit the Department of State, and Mr..
Webster asked him if the President had
offered to appoint him Governor of Iowa.
Eyes, sir, was the reply. "Well, sir. "
said Mr.. Webster. with sour sternnesS, a
cloud gathering on his massive brow
while his unfathomable eyes glowered
with anger, you must not take that
position, for | have promised it to my
| friend General Wilson" Colonel Cham
gress, and who was older than Mr.. Web
| ster. was not inundated, but replied,
"Mr. Webster, | shall accept the place,
| and ! tell you, sir, not to undertake to
| dragoon me, SIR He then left the room
! and not long afterwards Mr.. Webster re-
ceived from the President peremptory
Kentucky, as Governor Of the Territ Dry
of Iowa. which was complied with.
Mr.. Clay undertook to insist upon some
removals, that personal friends of his
might be appointed to the offices thus
vacated, and he used such dictatorial
language that after he had left the White
House President Harrison wrote him a
formal note, requesting that he would
make any further suggestions he might
desire to submit in writing. Mr.. Clay
was very much annoyed, and Mr.. King,
of Alabama, making some remarks in
the Senate soon afterwards which might
be construed as personally offensive, the
great commoner opened his batteries on
him. saying i'll conclusion that the asSer-
lions of the Senator from ALBANIA were
false, untrue, and cowardly.'
Mr.. King Immediately rose and left the
Senate chamber. Mr. Levin, of Missouri,
was called out. and soon returned, bring
ing a note, which he handed to Mr.. Clay,
who read it, and then handed it to Mr..
Archer Messrs Levin and Archer I'M
mediately engaged in earnest conversa-
zion, and It was soon known that chal
lenge had passed, and they as seconds
were cndeavoring amicably to arrange
the affair. After four days of negotia-
ton, Mr.. Preston. of South Carolina, and
other Senators acting as mediators, the
affair was lionorably adjusted. Mr.. King
withdrew his challenges, MI. Clay declared
every epithet derogatory to the honor OF
the Senator from Alabama to be with
drawn, and Mr.. Preston expressed his
happy termination of the misunderstood
inc between the Senators. While Mr..
Presto" -a- spaaking, Mr.. Clay rose,
walked to the opposite side of the Senate
chamber and stopping in front of the
| ,1ay1y of ba Snnntnr from, \ lph1n1 xlI
in pleasant tone g King, give us a pinch