Phenix Gazette

From the National Journal.

LETTER ON REFORM.—No. V.

I wish, my old Friend you were here to see how admirably we have built up our power, and how skilfully we have fortified ourselves. We have now an Administration that can defy the arts and address of demagogues; the eloquence and influence of political leaders;—we hope, a durable power. Sir, there is one great public will; we have established a solid, and, I trust, permanent public will; we have discovered a State secret never before discovered in popular Governments,—it is, that the President is the People's President. They took him up and made him; and now, however they may dislike his principles, or disapprove his measures, they will approve him. His cause is now their cause. To censure him would be to acknowledge they had been wrong, that others had been right, that they can see more clearly than they had done and that their predictions, which they had always derided, were verified. The People will never do that. There is no doubt that all those chickenhearted fellows of our party, the dissatisfied, the disappointed and the despairing, who are so prompt to censure in conversation, and to condemn in their own minds, who are so ready to give evidence of their own purity and principles, and make such a display of their candor and patriotism, will rally round him again when his flag is hoisted, with the same zeal and devotedness that the Turks flock around the sacred standard when unfurled by the Sultan.

We have a great deal of patronage in reserve. This is a powerful bond of union. We distributed a portion at first among the faithful followers, to reward merit, create hope, and stimulate the spirit of party, but we were not such fools as to give away all at once, leaving nothing for expectation, and nothing for the future. We have some good things yet, but not enough for all: "Many were called, but few were chosen."

Some we promised, and some we put off. The Cabinet, Foreign Missions, Judicial appointments, are kept for Members of Congress, because there is no danger that these high offices will create any corrupting influence in that body. It is the numerous petty offices that are dangerous in their tendencies. "Corruption in some, and in others a perversion of correct feelings and principles, divert Government from its legitimate end and make it an engine for the support of the few at the expense of the many." The Members of Congress, secure in their virtue, above the hopes of petty office, can do an infinite number of acts of generosity and kindness. They will become the benefactors, patrons, fathers and guardian angels of their districts. They can obtain a thousand favors, and avert a thousand evils.—

On the side of the Government are all honors, offices, emoluments, every sort of personal gratification to avarice or vanity; and, what is of more moment to many gentlemen, the means of growing, by innumerable petty services to individuals, into a spreading interest in the country. But for the member in Opposition, alas! for himself no office, or emolument, or title: no promotion civil, military, or naval, for children or brothers or kindred. This unfortunate, independent gentleman, has nothing to hope and nothing to offer, but harsh refusal, or pitiful excuse, or despondent representation of a hopeless interest. What a discouraging prospect!—

Voting in a dispirited minority, and stripped of the poor reward of popularity.

The people have erected a beautiful system of intimate connexions and mutual dependencies which secures their power, instead of that old fashioned notion of Checks and balances, by which the different powers mutually countervailed and destroyed each other. Thus, the President is the head of the People, and of the party. The chiefs of the two other subordinate parties, by the combination of whom the party was established, are his Vice Roy's: to one it is given to rule over the Senate, to the other over the Foreign Affairs, and both looking to the succession. The great departments are conferred in honor of the great states upon their great men. Every section of the country will receive its appropriate attention. Every interest will be cherished, every hope encouraged, every political opinion countenanced, the press rewarded, the people flattered and proscription and patronage go hand in hand in the work of Reform

We have a Tariff for the North, Constitutional scruples for the South, Public Lands for the West, and money to distribute to the People. We shall give the Indians to Georgia, Texas to adventurers, Rotation to politicians, Reform and Retrenchment to party, slang to the vulgar, Proscription to our enemies.

I hope you will excuse my enthusiasm. I am carried away by the subject. I began with a view of expressing my admiration of the Message, and of the new and bold opinions it advances; but I find I must rest a little. Next Sunday I will write you again; all our time is devoted to the public. Adieu my old friend.