Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1858 — JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY. [ARTICLE]

JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY.

In the days of Jefferson it was considered disreputable for a Federal officer to interfere With elections. Jefferson thought it “inconsistent with the Constitution” lor ofon the Executive of the Union to attempt to control or influence the free exercise .of the elective right;” but in our day the practice is far different from that of the, founder of the Democratic party. Now all the officers holding offices under Buchanan are laboring to their utmost to defeat the will of the peoplb. The following is a circular issued by Mr. Jefferson while President of the United Stajes: “The President of the United States has seen with dissatisfaction officers of the General Government taking, on various occasions, active parts in the election of public functionaries, whether of the General or State Goveanments. Freedom of elections being essential to the mutual independence of Government, and of the different branches of the same Government, so vitally cherished by most of our constitutions, it is deemed improper for officers depending on the Executive of the Union to attempt to control or influence the free exercise of the elective right; and further, it is expected that he (the officer) will not attempt to influence the votes of others, nor to take any part in the business of electioneering; that being deemed inconsistent with the constitution and his duties to it ” Voters of Jasper county! we have just learned that your county Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer have locked their offices in your faces, and have gone to the country to electioneer. These men and Mr. R. H. Milroy are now out on the track of Mr. Snyder, when they dare not meet him face to face. Let the hounds yelp.— Expositor. Mr. Berry— Sir: The above is too malicioualy, wilfully false, with intent to do a a wrong. If you are a gentleman, you will correct it in my case. You did it knowingly, to gratify your malice. When you penned it you was informed at the time that it was false. I have no enemy to punish, nor friend to reward. I have always endeavored to attend to my own business and let my neighbors alone, and hope hereafter you will follow my example. You will please give this an insertion in your next issue. Respectfully yours, Oct. 9, 1858. C. W. Henkle. [And we pronounce the article false in regard to the other officers. No office has been shut up while the officer was electioneering.—En,]