6063. OFFICE, Poisonous.—
We have put
down the great mass of offices which gave
such patronage to the President. These had
been so numerous, that presenting themselves
to the public eye at all times and places, office
began to be looked to as a resource for
every man whose affairs were getting into
derangement, or who was too indolent to pursue
his profession, and for young men just
entering into life. In short, it was poisoning
the very source of industry, by presenting
an easier resource for a livelihood, and was
corrupting the principles of the great mass
of those who passed a wishful eye on office.—
To Thomas McKean.
Ford ed., viii, 217.
(W.
Feb. 1803)
