Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-21
tIEkPMlS APPEAL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2l, 1852
.raE VICTOR AND THE sPoILs.

hDkSDA1, DECEMBEk Il, 1882
THE VICTOR AND THE sPOILs.
There is much truth in the aphorism that
a lie will travel a league while truth is
putliug on its boots. 1t seems almost i'm
possible 10 eradicate an error when it once
6nds Iodgment in the public mind. Expose
and it may still make its appearance
As historical truth. This is illustrated in the
persistency OF the public in speaking of John
Howard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet
Home" as a ragged, strolling vagabond, who
never knew anything Of the joys and pleas.
ures of the home about which he sung so
-sweedy. But the truth is Payne vas spoiled,
petted, Toasted and caressed during his
day, and lived in ease and luxury.
"Home, Sweet Home" derives much
of IFS pathos, beauty and romance
by representing the author as homeless
outcast, when in fact he was man of great
dramatic genius, successful actor, and
wrote many graceful, eloquent and scholarly
dramas, which are still popular on the stage.
He was twice appointed consul to Tunis.
and died as such on the 10Th of April, 1882,
surrounded by all The Isxarics of life. YET
John Howard Payne viii continue to be rep
resented as homeless outcast Politics fur
nish another example of this determine
ton of the public to persist in error. Just
City years ago Andrew Jackson was charged
with the authorship of the sentiment of the
party spoilsmen, that ito the victor belongs
the spoils." Jackson frequently dis.
claimed the authorship of this maxim,
nd hn ILL., =
iuculcates. But during the recent discussion
on Pendleton's civil-service reform bill this
old lie was revived, and Jackson was again
made the author of it. This expression was
first uttered by William NJ. Marcy, who
was the Jere Black Of the era in which be
figured. As matter of history it may be
worth while to sketch the debate in which
the famous phrase was first employed, which
shows that politicians now talk just as they
lid city years ago. On the 7Ih of Novem-
Der, 1881, President Jackson nominated Mar |
tin Van Buren, for minister to England The |
nomination was referred, on December 9th.
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which |
reported January 10, 1882. On the 18th of !
January Mr.. Holmes, of Maine, introduced |
the following resolution: s
Resolred, That the nomination be referred back /
to the committee. with instructions to investigate
late q @ Re and aS OF the
PartmeEts and Of the attorney-general of the /
retaries of the state and war departments and re-
port 70 the Senate whether the only causes OF that
IN the letters of the president of the United States
ABOVE enumerated; and, if not what were the
causes TO which these removals and designations |
ought to be ascribed. And, also, whether the said
Martin Van Barren, then secretary Of state parIic |
pated In any practices disrepuable to the national
mind of the president of the United states, and |
calculated TO smooth the way to his appointment
to the high office to which he has been nominated |
No vote was taken on this resolution, but
1t was made the basis of the debate which
followed, at the conclusion of which the
nomination was rejected By the casting vote
OF the vice-presidens, and which made Van
Buren, president. The injunction of secrecy
was removed, and the reports of the speeches
were prepared by senators themselves. M.
Holmes took the position that he ssknew no
principle in this government which justified
creating Offices or vacancies to provide for
favorites." Mr.. Clay concluded the list OF
his objections to Van Buren's nomination as
follows:
believe, u pom circumstances which satisfy my
mind, that to this gentleman is principally to be
ascribed the Introduction of the odious system of
prescription Tor the exercise Of the elective fran
Understand 1t Is the System on which the party in
constantly acts He was among the rst Of t6e
secretaries TO apply that system to the disnission
highly meritorious, and among them one who is
now representative in the other house. 1t is | [
Of the Roman republic; and il it were to Be per.
petuated, If the offices. honors and dignities of ;
iecded BY the result Of every presdentai elee
ion, our government and institutions, becoming
nexorable as that of Constantinople.
Mr.. Marcy, of New York, replied in >
peech of great bitterness and ability. He
ook the position that New York was a great
state OF diversified interests. 1t had men of
Enterprise and talents who aspire to public
and continued: -- "
1T may be- sir that the politicians of the United
tates arenot so fastdious as some gentlemen tC
hey boldly preach what tiey p u Wien ii
hey contending for victory, they avow their | M
efeated they expect to retire from Office ift6ey 81
Re successful, they claim, matter Of right, the 81
the rule that to the victor belong the spoils OF IT
le enemy.
In reply, Mr.. Clay disclaimed any inten- pc
on of animadverting upon New York, and oil
lid: "He (Mr. Marcy alleges that the N
ractice has existed for thirty years with st
very dominant party, and was vigorously ir
Iercised many years ago by my friends. III
ut must pronounce my adherence of the m
ractice TO which | allude, no matter with 10
hom it originated, whether friend or foe, ar
bv whom IL NAV he continuedn NJ II
arcy spoke once more, repeating his 10
large that the practice of prescription was br
'mmon with the Wings, and denying that bu
e removals from Office for political causes 60
lder Gen. JAG kson had been numerous. He IL
id, cynically, that Mr.. Clay's liberal senti- on
enis were, of course, admired by every re-
,dy, and I've feel disposed in our abstract an
eculations TO adopt them as the rule of 10
II conduct The theory is, indeed, beauti- 4 eli
L; but, sir, do we put it in practice when pc
odght to the experiment. These iol
cts show most conclusively the origin tr'
the much hacknied expression-"to the
ctor belongs the spoils." Andrew jackson
not the author, and he subsequently, re- !
ldi ated and refused to practice what the w "
ntiment inculcated. The sequel shows In
at Mr.. Marcy was truthful in asserting col
at "the theory is indeed beautiful; but sir, Try
, we put it in practice when brought to the SUI
,periment?" Mr.. Clay failed 10 practice rs
nat he preached when he denounced pro- pa
ription for opinions sake, for when his of
Irty assembled to power in 1910, it turned oo ,t
It more oficeholders on account of their cas-
,Iitics during the one month that William
enry Harrison WAS president than
the presidents put together had
me. The recent debate in the Senate
nothing but a recapitulation OF pre-
at alluded to above fifty years ago. car
uman nature will always remain the same. He
he party out of power is always herrifed bel