Newspapers / Weekly Commercial (Wilmington, N.C.) / July 12, 1850, edition 1 / Page 1
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j if '011,1!'' V iH A "fe W . V. o ;l J JiL.i- -Li ..... , . . ' - ...... ., -JU- , " ' " l-lli ..' I THOMAS LORINGr, E4itor and Proprietor : BENJAMIN I. HOWZE, Corresponding Edilon--?OH3 DOLLAJl Per Annum, invariably in Advance. WILMINGTON, FRIDAY, JULY 12, 1850 NO. 43 A p V K RTISE M KNTS . in the JVcckv months, S2,C0 do. 2.50 r;3. 3 do. I,vJJ no I iunth, 6 do. 4.00 1 year, 6,09 'icii lines, or less, rnaite a square. , 1 f rn aJvartijement exceed. ten lines, the price will be in praporlicn.' ... Aii i U'eriiscments are payable at the time of thei nert!on. ; , , , ; -- AM adrcrnastnento resorted in thej Wtekiy dial ara tt.ititlel to Wit; insertion in theTri Weakly free of charge. . - 'ADDRESS OF GOVERN OR MAN LY In. PeTSIDKNT AND Gentlemen cf the CcxvEjmos In February 18-a8. when 1 was nominated jy the Whig Slate Convention for the olliee j ' r, ..t il... C....:. .1,. ' ! nt' the Governor ol! the otate uie uoiiur was unsolicited and unexpected. i Havinir i;asscd the belter part of mv life i unambitious of opular distinction and pub-J lis honor, I was content lo remain the residue o! my (lavs in the qui t. unobtrusive d eve tim to rny own affairs. I The call that was made upon me was res- ponded to with alacrity and pride. As a par- j ty it Kin I felt bound to accept t.'ie nornina- fmn. Lnvinrr aside all other bu mess, at "reat pecuniary sacrifice, and under eircum and do stances of peculiar embarrassment mestic afiiiction. I devoted my best energies r- ... i i . lo" the nrosecntion of a protracted and ardu- campaign. Tlie result i- known to you ; ; at;d although at first I felt disappointed and luorlilicd at the diminished majority by which I Was elected, when compared with the pre-; vfous results, yet, When if was ascertained i that the lost votes were chiefly in a few of i i!u-i arrest VkTI'ig Counties, I became satis- . t t i lied that, the votes had been wiinneid. no. from any hostility to me, but from that natu-' ral yet dangerous apathv resulting from en-j fire confidence ir success. ! Tlu briel period of my administration has ru.t been o.xemnt from trouble and resnonsi- t hiitty. In the discharge of my publie duties. J have been unfaiily. assailed with a severity and coarseness heretofore unprecedented; and' while I anticipated nothing less at the hands of our political adversaries, I have been unexpectedly, find 1 think ungenerously. wounded.', in a few sections of the Slate by pro .'ssing political friends. As the period j anproaci bed tor the assembling ol this -Con vention, a tone or uissaiisiaciion ar. me pros- i pect of my renomination arose . in certain J quarters,-which induced me frora-ceriain.mo-; lives of self-respect and for the promotion of Inrmony in our ranks to metlitate a perenip-i tory withdraw. d from the canvass. Upon consultation with some'of my friends, how-; ever. J ueternutieu to nuanuon liuft step: to bear with what equanimity I could, the as-! smlts that might be made, and to await the notion and the decision of this body. Under these circumstances and in view of what is past, my unanimous reuominalion by this htrge and intelligent assembly of -Whigs is the more highly valued. I accept your nomination, and will endea vor to discharge the trusts which the obliga tion imposes upon me. May I not with en tire confidence expect a zealous and faithful perforamnee of the correlative duties which attach to this bcdy-'ai d to the Whigs of th.e Slate I " - .The Whig party can, if they will, elect their candidate, for Governor. No sane njan doubts that. Their nominee cannot elect hinistU". Justice to till concerned demands a hearty and zealous co-operation of every Whig voter. To nominate their candidate, 2lace their standard in his hands and then not go to the polls and vole for him ; but by culpable indifference subject him to the mor tification and themselves to the disaster of a shameful defeat, will be wholly indefensible. Among the objections which have been urged against my nomination ivas that fmy .central residence in the State that I was ongmally the nominee ol a certain ''central' hJluence." -" Now, it is well known to every man tvho attended the last Whig Convention that my nomination was brought about not by the delegates from the centre, but by the concur rence of the East and the West against the centre. This however has been sufficiently iCXplaincd by the public press and I forbear to reiterate and dwell upon it here. . But why should the Whigs' at the centre :bc contemned and cast aside? What evil have they doae ? What reproach or injury have they brought upon the Whig party, d u ring the long and perilous fight in which we rhave been engaged ? In what quarter of the Suite have Whigs devoted their time, their talento ur d their means in support of the cause more ardently and freely than the Whigs at the centre ? But I believe; that lbts narrow unfounded jealousy exists in the preasts of only a few ; that the injustice 6f ihis dennnciation has been generous! v vindi cated and repelled by the great body of Whig voters in every quarter of the State, .and I jym dismiss the - unpleasaat topic with the ngle remark, that, in my 'opinion, if there had been found among the people of Old .Sodom, ia the day of their visit a tion, seven jsuch men. as the. Waigs of the Centre, verily that old Kicked town would not have been destroyed. PATRONAGE. . In dispensing the patronage of my office m selecting men to fill the Literary Board' .;tnd the Internal Improvement Board, and in pointing Directors of Public works on Rail ioads ;uid Plank; Roads, and Turnpike Houds, 1 have called in members of both po litical panics, and in ruffiiling the multifari ous anu arduous duties of my station have Ch limiffd extent, will bo inserted rart'fi'rew.a1 th'hll'ving rates : -'i.fi-c I insertion, 0,50 I square, 1 tX 2' 2 do. 0.75 t do. 3 i i do been governed by a conscentious sense of impartiality and justice to the best of my u biJity. Standing on this practice of the past and this pledge' tar the future I shall repose with entire confidence on the justice anc mag nanimity ol aii lair minded people. ; , I desire to address myself to Whigs ; to fake a brief retrospect of the past; to recall the prophetic ; admonitions of Whig policy and Whig councils'hnd to congratulate this assrcjaJbly on tho patriotic and national con servatism cf Whig principle?. Before doing so. however. I deem this an apt occasion for making . a few remarks on certain topics of State poHcy which are agi tating Che -public mind. I allude particular ly to the subjects of Popular Education, In ternal .Improvements, and an amendment of the Constitution in relation to what i; called, u Free Suffrage.4' THE EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE. The structure of our Government, resting not on high walled battlements and lowers, but in the moral force, the affections and hearts of our people, can only be, preserved m strengui anu : purity oy a UDerai system ol popular education. I he enlightened mo rality of a State has every' thing to do with its peace, thrift and happiness, and when once enthroned with Christianity in the heart of any people, is the cheapest police that any government can maintain. En lighten the publie mind, elevate the stand- ird of political ai.d religious feedom and the people will respect and love the government i it : . : a . i - r -ii and its institutions and "form an invincible fortress of delence. What constitutes a State? IVot rich fields and bloated commerce, the ore in her mines and the gold in her cities; but men, high jiinded. men. They constitute a State. How is this great good to be attained ? By a liberal and' enlightened system of Common S clioois. I wouui by no means be under- stood as recommending a withdrawal of the public -patronage and favor from the cl leges and Academies in thebtate. lar from if- 'Yet I here wish to urge and shall tinue to do so orr all suitable occasion con the supreme necessity of extending the fostering care cf the Cjovernment to our Primary Schools., The wealthy and more thrifty class of our people can take care of themsel ves and can educate their ehihrren where they please. It is the poor and the less fa vored portion t licit need and rightfully de mand the public help. What mines of intel lectual trealth find power lie buried in the rubbish of penury and neglect! In traver sing over many neglected regions of the Slate, where, shut out from commerce and the ordinary business and means of acquir ing property, the children inherit nothing but infancy and ignorance and penury, and when at the --approach of a stranger the lit tle bare-fooled, white headed urchins arc to be seen hiding and peeping around the cor- uers oi ineir numoie dwellings oiten nave we mentally exclaimed, Alas! how many unite inglorious Miltons and Franklins are doomed to languish and' die in the rude ob scurity. of the (iuarry. The fund provided by the State for public instruction, although large and liberal, is yet inadequate to the wants of our people. Our system of Common Schools is miserably deficient in its organization and management. This is not the competent tribunal, however, for the correction of these errors, and I will not detoin you with an essay on the subject, but must hasten on. - ' INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. As to Internal Improvements, I have ever been the steady advocate of a fair, practical and judicious system. Our State now seems to be every where aroused to the exigency of pur wants, good trading, towns and the means of cheap transportation to reach them. If the employment cf the poor, the encour agement of the industrious, and the comforts of all classes of the community, be objects worthy of the care of a parental government. If to furnish the means of instruction to the indigent ; to lay deep, the foundation of re-, publican government in the education of every free-child" within our borders,- however humble his origin, or destitute his condition. If we would stay the flood of emigration which is sweeping from us by thousands, the most adventurous of our youth, and remove the necessity which compels them to aban don th& home . of their childhood and the cjrave of their fathers, to seek a living in some distant land which holds out rewards and inducements to cntcrprize and exertion. If we would bring the farmers and miners of the west, and the farmers of the interior, in to comnjunion with the merchants - and me chanics of the sea board ; and unite the dis served parts of North Carolina into one brotherhood ofi interest ana patriotism. H we would command for our honest old tate that high-s.tation in the union she deservW'to occupy these great achievements can be accompanied in ' ohe way only. Internal improvements have produced them in other States not more highly favored by nature, and can likewise produce them here. Let it not be said that we are' too poor that we have not the mean our very pover ty has resulted from unrewarded labor, limit ed production, and languid trade, and fur nishes the strongest reason for our prosecu ting the system with united energy. Great caution, however, should be used in checking visionary schemes; in' wasting-. our1 strength by embarking at once into too many cntcrprizea of a purely.sectional character; in over-tasking ourselves ; and in incurring a State debt that will be oppressive to the people, and which may induce bad men and demagogues to reject and .repudiate it. FREE SUFFRAGE. The position assumed and maintained by me during the past canvass for Governor ni reference to: the right of "Free - Suffrage," would seem to be misapprehended in fome, sections; and I deem this a fit occasion for declaring to you and through you to ihe peoT pie at large, the ground I have heretofore ta ken and which 1 expect hereafter to occupy upon the subject of altering the Constitution, of North Carolina. f I hc political campaign er 1S43 was con- ducted throughout the country and especial I v in iiorin vjarciinn;- as every one Knows, m - rt "T-if .. ' . " . reference to; questions of national policy. The two parties we all recollect rominated I heir candidates without respect to " Free Suffrage," and both their Conventions for bore to express any opinions favorable cr un favorable to Constitutional reforms of any kind. Are you a Whig are ycu a Democrat ? That was the question. The administration of the government by Mr. Polk ; the settlement of the Oregon dis pute with Great Britain ; the origin of the Mexican war and the manner of its prosecu tion : the.wronjrs practised by the administra tion towards the illustrious Generals of nur gallant army whon fighting the battles of their country; the dangers to be apprehend ed to the safety of the Republic from extend ing our borders by conquest and the perils to which it must expose the southern institutions in particular; the possible overthrow and ruin of the Union itself to bring, into it the large Territories of New Mexico and Cali fornia by the aid of the sword, without some friendly compromise of opinion among our selves upon the subj-ect of negro slavery ; the abuse of the veto power by the president and the proscription of the whig party by the administration, so as to exclude i them- like aliens and enemies from the statioiis of honor and profit in-a common country ; these con stituted the leading topics of discussion and formed the basis of our party,. divisions.- The Candidate of our opponents was brought out by his party .upon- national grounds only. The Democratic Convention saw fit not to express in -their published pro ceedings any dissatisfaction whatever with the Constitution of the Sate. . They selected him and nominated him. as the Whig party had chosen me, without re gard to his, opinions upon the. Constitution as it is. It was not made known by the procee dings cf the Convention, nor by the procee dings of any meeting great or small any where m the State, that either party desired to alter, or that the people were in anydegree dissatisfied with, their Government in North Carolina. During the progress of the campaign how ever, the public jbar was startled by new-issues wholly unanticipated by cither fiarty. The Democratic Candidate Tor Governor stepping on the platform of political "faith erected by. the Convention of that party, -took his stand under a new banner inscribed 'with the seductive motto of "Free Suffrage." To the North Carolina politicians of that day the announcement was like a clap of thundeT' in a clear sky. The distracting questions under our old Constitution arising from taxation, representation and the right of voting which had so long disturbed our councils, divided our people into eastern and western fragments, marred the harmonious co-operation of the Legislature, ami kept down the energy and prosperity of our State, h adbeen adjusted by an. amendment of our Constitution. In a spirit of mutual accom modation the different sections of the State which had held opinions antagonistical on these questions met together in Convention in the year 1835, composed this dispute by a Compromise, gave to the wei?t a preponder ance in the law making department of the government, anil set out hand in hand in a new career cf arousing- the energies of the' State, and of stimulating and sustaining each other in the cordial and liberal support of a system of state policy which should enlight en, .ennoble and1 en ri6h "every part of our good, old commonwealth. No wonder then when this chord was struck which again awoke to life and motion this fratricidal strife which the men of all parties had helped to bury, that our people on both sides were taken by surprise. -Whence did it come 1 In vain was it sought for in the primary assemblies of our people. The' had not spoken nor moved-in the matter. The great lever of public opinion, the Press, had been silent. The Democratic Conven tion which had just been held had publicly recommended no such, rule of action for the guidance ol their nominee. From what re gion then could it have proceeded ? - Jt was conjectured that it smelt of the charnel house cf the Wash inglon City tactics and th at i t had been sent on ready-made to frighten the Whigs of this State from their propriety and to place them in a false position in the elec tion of a Governor. What was conjecture then has in part at. least, become history J now. It has been publicly asserted ana ad mitted at Washington, I ara told, that it was gotten up and manufactured there and sent on for North Carolina use ; quoted and sign ed and gloated over as the infallible Demo cratic thunder j as their patent exploding blunderbuss for demolishing every thing. And it was'preuicted with chuckling confi dence that no Whig Candidate it placed within its range could stand up- before the people in any state of the Union for ten days. Knowing full well the -excitement, the sectional disturbance and the paralysing in fluence on the progress; of our Stale in times past.J caused by the agitation of this. question of constitutional reform : having no authority as the organ of th J Whig party to declare their, sentiments' hi regard to it, and neither bpporrunity nor time afforded during an ar dent contest to obtain their opinions; it be came my steady aim and effort; to shut out the topic : to exclude itsrifont Jhe canvass ; to warn my party friends to beware of such political irickerv, and net to permit them f i ves io oe - civiueq upon tma new issue about amending thcjConstitutiori cf the State An issue which had not been mooted" by me people : which did not clajun to hav sprung from either of tlie great political par ties at home, but which had been imported from the grand nabonal President-makinr Ljnint and thrown iufo circulation among the 1 eastern and weeterii Whiss of North Caroli- -1 ' - ) ' . m : ----- .... na ""to niviue and conouer." Those schemers careu noimng nDOui -'i?ree puurage" in North Carolina : nor whether tlie Constitu tion of the State should be amejided or not. It was a btow rJmedi at the supremacy of the vv nig party, l he contest lor a, president ol tlie United States was then Taffinir, and his election was soon to! follow that-bf the Gov ernor. It was to cripple the Whis to de feat them in the August election! in order to secure to Democracy a more important tri umph m November.; It was not to equalize the voting rights of j the i; people" of North Carolina; but to elect the Democratic candi date, Gen. Cass, to the Presidency, that i-set that ball in motion.'! - And when, as the Presidential election drew nigh, some of these-political Necroman cers in solemn council were calculating chances, and urgingUhe probability of their carrying this State for Gen. Cass, the Chief of the Sanhedrim with portentous forboding, shook his head and told them : - "Set down Not th Carolina a. .Whig Stale: Gire her upi We failed to kill them Federal Whigs with our pcileit Free Sitf- rage Physic in August, and' theiPll fro for oia t i jcad:. sure as! deatii I'' llov prophetic ! Yes! The political jugglers fbehind the scenes who pulled the wires for the August show were disappointed. They Ijad mistaken tneir men. ihe vying.-party had been too long battling for thegreat ccnsvrvalive prin cipies of their political faith in one unbroken plralanx to suffer their columns m be dissev ered and borne down bv the- eSraeienrv of their enemies. r They looked at itj through the glasses of an old western farmer who said - to me in the mountains, " I am in favor of universal suffrage on the white po.pulalioi principle, and 1 would vote for it, if the qijestion were presented at such time and in suilh way as my vote could be I counted, anil would n modnt to any thing : but in thef election of Governor it makes no ditferencel as to this question, now i vote, it is a iqcoioco par- ty trick and I can see through it 1 can through a wheat sifter." as "plain, as The Whisa concurred with me ih the sentiment zealous ly enforced during the whole progress of the discussion that the calm and sober reason essential to-the consideration of a charge in our oriranie fundamental law d d not and Ihe people could not occupy the minds of engaged in a fierce political stri v le on other grounds. They knew foil well that such questions of reform pertained exclusively tp tlie legis lative power and to the people i their sov- ereiirn character that the Governor had no power to adiust this measure no voice to establish it. no vote to prevent it That his election on the one side or Ihe olther would neither advance nor retard a single step the progress of such reforms. Unless by common consent the two politi cal parties of the State shall agree to in troduce this issue of a Constitutional reform into their divisions tlie one 'advocating, and the other opposing it, how is it possible to test the popular will upon it by a. Governor's election ? But we all know that this is a question which neither. -.party exclusively supports. In both parties men 'hold differ eiu opinions about it, as they havje aright to do. The people alone have thp right and ought to retain the power of reforming their government, not through the unauthorised medium of their Governor, or of but only by the Constitutional lis election agency of their Representatives m the General As- sembly. What real lover of the peoi fe's ritrhts. what honest patriot will not agee. no mat ter what may be his opinions of the altera tions proposed, that above all Constitutional changes ought to be made the test of party ; not the play thiqgs in mere party conflicts; neither he price jof any one's ejeyatjon, nor the reward of another's over throw. -:;-"':. - j A' ... " A It is the Legislature and not the (gover nor, who are competent to enact laws lor the legitimate expression of this mighty voice of polular sovereignty ;' and it is now, as it was two years ago a, matter of little signification, what may be the undivided opin;6n of the ' Gov'erncrr, or of any candid ate for that office. i V , Do the people "wish to have a reform in their Constitution ? j Tlien they need only to require their Representatives to pass laws for taking the vote of the people. That process the Governor possesses no povye-f,' either to promote or prevent; exdept it may be bythd corrupt exercise of an irffluence derived from his station. I believe that the honest advo cates of Free Suffrage jdo not wish to attain their object by official afiuses of power; and that the honest opponents of aU change in thp.r!institnt!nn can hardly expect to resist the popular will by such ignob e means. iNo one pre- Our Constitution is not perlecu tends that it is or ever ian be. But it the glory of our free Institutions that the people have a right to alter ihejir organic law wnen ever time and experience prove thai amend ments are wanting aifti the public feeling and the popular voice demand ajchange. la our Constitution this right is expressly. provi ded far. and in my i judgment it in no part of a Governors duty or rights, to m jke or pro pose; new' Constitutions fox ihe Heople. It is undeuiabfe that a large, iutt Higent anl patriotic iorlion of the icitizens iof the Stalw ire now demanding some very important changes in their Constitution. We see Ihe evidences of this public sentiment not .only in tint popular meetings ol both political par ties, and in the public presses, but also in the votes of the last Assembly of ihis State and in the progress of similar opinions amongst the voters of almost every other State in the Union. . : .; '" Whether those who desire a change con stiutc a majority or' not fnay be readily, 'as certained ia the -manner provided for b our Constitution, that is to say, by an act of the General Assembly submitting these things to the people at the Polls. And I hold it to be the duty of their Representatives, as their Agents, to provide tor the orderly and lawlul expression of the public mind whenever there is any well grounded belief that a settled discontent prevails against the Constitution as it is. ihe Peenfe mnv be trusted I nm - f - - j sure to decide lor themselves in North Caro lina, and at all events they have reserved that right in the existing Constitutor! : and il such a law should be passed by the Legis lature during my term of office. it sfiall be faithfully and lairJy executed'.' In my view ol tne subject, it will be my duty to. recommend to the approaching Gen eral Assembly such legislation consistently with the compromises of our present Consti tution, as will enable the peopje ,4o decide these questions lor themselves. And I owe it lo candor to decline this to you upon, the present occasion ; because the approaching election will take place several moifths before y first Official Communication to the Gen eral Assembly. But to th its Convention, to this Band of Whig Brothers, who have braved ihe " battle and tlie breeze" in many a hard 'fought field, I would say, let not questions of this kind di vide you. Suffer not. the organic law of the and, above all things, lo become a part' test. Learn from the course pursued by your lep resentatives in the last Legislature that such questions form no test of party adhesion. tor. in the various propositions in both IIous- cs in regard to ' t ree csniirage," you lounu Whigs and Democrats voting together on one side, and Whigs and Democrats voting together on the other. Take counsel from our political adversarQ. who, although they diner wider among themselves on many questions, and especially upon Internal Im provement and upon "tree Suffrage,3' yet maintain to the bitter end their cohesive at traction as Democrats. Let us maintain our adhesion as members of the great coneerviw live Whig Party upon national grounds. WHIG PRINCIPLES. The Whig party nad us. organization in the defence of the Constitution against the aorarression of the Executive ; in defence "of the Legislative department of the government a'srainst Executive influence. Executive dicta tion and the one man power. " It is baed up on regard for the Constitution and obpdience to law. We inculcate the doctrine of hones ty, and fear dealing towards all nation;, invi olability of the faith of treaties, of peace and friendship with all ; economy in public ex penditures ; opposition to wars not demanded for the safety, defence qr honor of the nation; to standing armies in time of peace, national debts and heavy taxation. We are not sec tional but conservative. We propose no lest that cannot be submitted to by citizens of ev ery section with wThom tlie Constitution, as it is, is of binding-force. We believe in pro gress within the Constitution ; in wise legis lation in aid of commerce, agriculture, manu factUiing industry, science find the arts?. We discard that sort of progress that shall evade or over-ride any one of the obligations of the solemn political compact made by our forefath ers. As North Carolina Whigs we go for the maintenance of " Southern Rights," and pro perty as guaranteed bylaw ; and against the machinations of abolition fanatics, demago gues and agitators. We claim the protec tion and preservation of our rights uner the Constitution as if is. We invoke nj aid from Assemblies nor Conventions of doubtful pur poses and designs; and of undefined powers; Conventions arbitrarily and irregularly ap pointed ahirresponsible to the people. We are for no bragging and blusfer. When the remedies provided by our compact of union shall have been tried in vain, and the rights of lbs South shall he withheld or viola ted by the unjust and arbitrary force of des potic nnmbers. we will then inquire into the new m&de and measure of redress with the spirit and the energy necessary to vindicate and maintain them. Until that calamity sball arrive we are for that great legacy bequeathed to us by our Fathers, the UNION OF THE STATES. Tt is union that gives us wealth, prosperity, strength, security. It is on that strong arch the Temple of Liberty resi; we 'know of no other foundation on which the Dome of that Goddess can stand. We siiy with the eloquent and patriot id American Poet, "Sail on, Oh Ship of State, Sail on, Oh, Union! strong and great ! Humanity, with all its fears, With all the hope of future years, ' -Is hanging breathless on thy fate. -We know what master laid thy feeel -. What workman wrought thy ribs of steel, -Who made each mast, and sail, and rope, t What anvils rang, what hammers bear, In what a forge and what a heat, - V Were shaped the anchors of thy hope." j God forbid that we shall ever encounter the fearful evil of overturning that for which our fathers lived, and for which the good and the nreatare all prepared to toil and to dieJ DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES. Whatarethe principles, of this Party?; What have they professed 7 By what seduc tive charm did tbey win the confidence of the Ppnn e. and how did thev redeem tneir pledges They set out with the one term Principle fortheoflice of President ofthe United State. That members of Congress should not be appointed to1 office. For retrenchment and reiorm in the expenditures of the Govcrmcnt. and for a lair distribution of public patronage, and against proscription. - How were these pledges! redeemed 7 Gen. Jackson declared upon hi poing into office, that it was advisable to limit the service of Chief Magistrate to a Bingle term of 4 or G years ; ami argued " that the adoption of the rule would tend to secure the independence of each department of thu iGtyernment and promote the healthful and equitable adminis tration of the trusts which ii created." Long before the expiration of his first term, upon the importuniiy of letters written bytii friends ofthe Pennsylvania Legislature, ho was again nominated by that body for re-election. His previous firm conviction of the crent impropriety of puch course suddenly vanish ed. A Fccond term bccanle at once a very proper thing. He nccepted the nomination and that was the last we heard of carrying out the ohe term principle. . . Again: lhcy argued before the people that Members of Congress should not be np ponted to office during the terra lor which they were elected nor within two years there after that they should be; independent and should be placed beyond the reach of Excc- mive inuueiicp. vvuui was iiib praciice Why no sooner had their candidate reached the White House than he commenced appoin ting members of Congress to office. Five members of the Cabinet iwcre taken, from iongrvss anu only one irom me people nt? large. And the record of that day exhibit the very consistent fiict of 23 members of Corigrees appointed to offices of various grades. ( '-,." 'fv- . ' ' ... Agin : The Detnorratic party insisted as a proa incnt issue on the necessity of a Re trenchment and Reform." They told us that Executive patronage had Increased, was in creasing and should be diminished. They called for reform in every Depattrnent ofthe Government. They told us if the dear pco- -i" would only entrust them with place and power that there could hardly be ar end to their vigorous labors in the cause or regener ation and amendment, arid in cleaning out the 'Augean-Stable." tl . . Well, they got possession of the Govern ment. Instead of reduction of officers, their ' number, was greatlyaugmcnted. The public expenditures were enormously increased. Frauds and defalcations ensued. The trea sury was plundered of miljipiis. : The Post Office became bankrupt ajid other depart ments of the .Government'Jverc thrown into the utmost disorder and confusion. As u commentary upon the faithful execution of this promised retrenchmeht," tak the Cus torn House in tho City of jNew York, that great workshop for the manufacture of politi cal capital. When modern Democracy took possession ofthe Government there were em ployed, in that establishment, we are toIdd75 men At the close of that dynasty there were 500. ! . The expense of collecting the Revenue at the commencement of Democratic reign were " $200,000; at the close, under their patent : system cf reduction and retrenchment, they- . were $600,000. Alj this too whilethe amount of labor and the amount' of revenue collected remained about the same. ' - Again : The Democracy when soliciting the reins of the Government commended ilicmselvWlrt "the favorable regard of the .' people by their loud denunciation of the pro- . scriptive policy. They held up their hand with hofy hbtrorat the change made by " Mr. Clay when Secretary of State of some Prin- . tcrs 61 the laws. The peoiple were told by r this new sect that in every situation part v and party feelings should be avoided. That the monster called Party Spirit should be cx terminated That patriotism, talents aud in- . tegrity should be the passport to office. That the Pici-ideM ought riotj to be the head of a party, but the head of a 'nation. -With the avowal of these " liberal' 'and generous sentiments as ,to the fr.f tration of patronage; nrd with' c!u. ac tions of absolute abhorrence of the prescrip tive policy, they succeeded triumphantly in ihe election. ; How did that turn out? Why they ' commenced an immediate transfer to their own partizan press pf the printing of the' laws, dismissing all other; appointing Editors a rid those connected with the Demo cratic Press to office ; and tnakingfa general sweep of the officers and agents of Jhc gov ernment from the highest dignitary m the di- . ploraatic corps, to the tide waiter of the Cbi tom House : so that while the predecessors of modern Democracy from Washington to J. CL Adams inclusive had, in a period of 22 years made only about 130 removals, this protf;rip- ; tion-hating, even-handed party in the'first year of its career had made mure than 2500 . removals ! Men dismissed who were, in the language of one of their party, of the puret virtue; upon whose character no stain was' ever fixed before; juftly regarded by all who knew them "as eminently possessing hdftesty, , capacity and fidelity in their trusts. ' "" ' - This flagrant abandonment of their pled ges about proscription was; pursued with un mitigated rigor throughout the whole course of the AdrainistraUohsj of Jackson, Van Bu ren and Polk.; n i Inderd so omnipotent had thi rule of de votion to party and bestowal of office on par tizans become, that even when our Coun try was engaged with a foreign foe, when party distinctions should be buried, when Whigs no less than Democrats struck for the honor ofour Flag and mingled thei1 blood in one common stream in- upholding 'fhe honor of the Republic, thiscardinal role of pro scription was still paramount. In the ap pointment ofthe officers for our Army in the Mexican War some tw-o or three General offi-
Weekly Commercial (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 12, 1850, edition 1
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