The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-13
ANDREW JACKSON'S DEFENSE.
"Old Hickory's" Grounds for Removing
Wings from Federal Offices.

nj. Donelson Wilcox, In New York World.
few months before General Jackson's death
the family clergyman came to spend the night,
and, as usual the two old men. whom years of
familiar intercourse had made friends and con-
ndants, fingered after prayers for social chat
several topics had been discussed,
when General jackson said: Doctor,
lately am often troubled with
sieepiessness and lie awake all night thinking
and worrying about many things. L would like to
hear your answer to this question: After l am
gone, which act of my life will people censure
most9' A bombshell exploding on the quiet
hearth could hardly have more startled DR.. -
who, anxious above all not to rritate at that late
hour his aged and feeble companion, yet feeling
some reply was required, hurriedly cast over in
his mind all the Objectionable incidents 1.-THE Doc
tor was Whig and had opposed many of Jack
sons public measures) of his career-his duels,
horseraces cock fights, arbitrary arrests military
executions martial law at New Orleans and
Pensacola imprisonment of Judge Hail. feud
with Clay bank veto, removal of the deposits
and finally selected what he deemed the least
likely TO excite discussion or unpleasant remin-
iscence. ''Well General, think posteritx will
find much more to praise than blame in your
career, but there may be some who will think
your numerous discharges for political reasons
unwise."
Explain yourself, sir, said General Jackson,
hraclng himself up and raising his voice. "Why,
General l refer to all those removals and APP
pointments the Wings accuse you of making for
partisan purposes do the Wings dare to
make such charge against me? 1 defy them,
or any other slanderers, to say I ever made re-
moval or appointment that was not dictated by
public duty AS President, l made removals
from Office and made appointments, exercising
my constitutional right to do so, but not one
that was not obligated to make by my official
oath. l appointed no family connections,
but few personal friends, and only such as had
rendered eminent public service, and had earned
official recognition. l found the government Of
fees mostly filled by incompetent and unworthy
incumbents, pleading the statute of limitations
against heirs at-law abb and determined to en-
force their claims. l removed them, and nomi-
mated for the vacancies honest trustworthy
men, That long official tenure is corruptipg and
antagonistic to individual independence and
manliness. was demonstrated by the pitiful,
contemplate conduct of said Office holders cling
ing to their sinecures like drowning men to
straws. denying records as patent as day, and
protesting principles they had so lately publicly
denounced. One would have supposed, to hear
their pleas for retention, that sea and lake land
.and forest had refused their yield, and that
there was nothing between them and starvation
but Office Rotation in Office is the basis of Dem
ocratlc institutions. 1t necessitates vigilance
and industry, and they, in turn insure efficiency
and fidelity. We profess to have abolished
monopolles, sinecures and lifelong or hereditary
privileges. What monopoly revolving as a
monopoly of official emoluments9 What snecure
so debasng as an Office held for mere remunera-
tionl What privilege more at variance with
Democratic equality than lifelong class of of
fice-holders9 People should regard Office as an
opportunity of usefulness, not means of liveli-
hood, and should be prepared to resign it when
occasion requires. No party can acquire perma-
nent influence or WELD any real supremacy that
is not founded on principle, and that relies for
success on rewards or patronage but at the same
time no party can carry out any distinctive poll
cy that employs its opponents as agents. His
tory furnishes no example of wise or sklful
generals garrisoning their outposts with enemies,
but teaches that all great leaders, all true re-
formers, all national benefactors have accom-
plished their purposes by the aid of friendly
hands and congenial spirits. Nowadays we hear
much abuse OF politicians and many sinister pre-
dictions In regard to the influence of politics on
public affairs. In free country every voter
should be politician, every man should have an
intelligent comprehension of and take eep in
terest in all public questions, and reail think
it would be better if change in the party
at the head of government could be followed
by an entire change of ofice-hoders,
so that the dominant party could be made to as
sumo all the responsibility of government and be
amenable to the people for the proper discharge
of public duty. Power naturally seeks to
strengthen and perpetuate itself, and the great
danger to our institutions is not from frequent
official changes, but from the usurpations and
entertainments of authority endeavorng to
render its leases and privileges lifelong or
hereditary
IL have tried to render my country some serv-
ice. would any day have laid my head on the
block In her cause. and counted it gain and
glory, and am not afraid to trust my memory
in her keeping. feeling assured she will do justice
to my motive" as