The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume I

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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1827

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this statement it was evident that the head of the State Depart- ment did not govern himself by the same rule in Tennessee, as he did in Kentucky. So far from considering the course of the Leg- islature as any reason for his own conduct, he had taken away the United States printing from the paper on which the State Legislature had bestowed their public printing, and had given it to the paper from which the Legislature had taken theirs away. The rule here was conyerse of what had been observed in Kentucky. A gentleman from Kentucky, who had addressed the House this morning, had said that the course adopted by the Secretary, was none other than that of the Jeffersonian policy-that it was a proper policy- and as such it was natural for every person possessed of power to pursue. Mr. H. said he did not object to the policy of giving appointments to friends. But let it be recol- lected that Mr. Jefferson had come into power under very peculiar circumstances. It was at a moment when a total change had been effected in the whole policy of this country; at a time when an aristocratic Administration had well nigh trodden the people under foot, and planted their feet upon the necks of this nation. Mr. J. ardently disapproved of such a ·state of things, and earn- estly contended for the rights and liberties of the People. Hav- ing succeeded, at length, in turning these men from power, it became necessary, it was indispensable, not only for his own sake, but for the sake of giving permanency to the triumph of republican principles to entrench himself by appointment of sue~ men as would sustain him, and would honestly promote the true interest of the republic. Mr. Jefferson was compelled to act as he did on this subject. His was not a war against the Representa-4 tives of the People-on the contrary he administered the Gov- ernment with an express design of breaking down a proud and haughty aristocracy, and who disregarded the will of the People. Under such circumstances, it was natural that he should consult with his Cabinet, as to the appointment of men who would co- operate in the regeneration of the Republic, and preserve its invaluable institutions in all the purity of republican principle, in defiance of attempted usurpation. This, Sir, said Mr. H. was the Jeffersonian policy. Did he ever, in a single instance, disregard the expressed will of the Representatives of the People? Did Jefferson ever refuse to make an appointment at the application of the Representatives of a State, when the politics of the individual for whom it was asked -

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