The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-14
The "Cem ent'' OF Patronage.

The Union repudiates the idea, which we
in common with others entertained, that its
publication of the article from the Buffalo
Courier, defending New York appointee from
the charge of Freesoilism, was "premonitory
symptom" of more open opposition to the ap-
pointment of General PIERCE. 1t avows a
cordial approval of the Presidents policy in
welding the patronage of his Office with view
to CEMENT the existing union of all sections of
the Democratic party, Irrespective of past diff
ferences, in support Of the broad national prin-
ciples of his Naturalization" 1t informs us,
besides, that the gentleman whose appointment
was approved by the Courier and the Atlas, was
member of the Baltimore and not of the Buff
falo Convention, as enormously nsisprinted in
the Atlas. Had he been member of both these
conventions, the easy virtue of the Union wri-
ter, doubtless, would have made him regard it
as "a concurrent acknowledgment of the fitness
of the appointment"
1t Is not our province, we must confess, to
interfere with the Union in the performance of
its duties as the "organ" of the Administration.
Its task is plain, if not very pleasant one.
But we must insist that it maintain some de-
gree of consistency, and will notice and COM
ment whenever we detect it diverging in the
least and most paltry degree from the strict
line of its vocation. The Union must express
its cordial approval of the Presidents policy
in welding the patronage of his office" in
erery particular, which. in justice to our con-
temporary, we admit it has faithfully perform
ed, except in the solitary instance we noticed
in our paper of Thursday 1t has commended
the appointment of Secesssionist Judge
(CAMPBELL) to the Supreme Bench, and a
Compromise Democrat (SL1pELL) to foreign
mission-it spoke of Mr. DIcKINsoN's appoint
ment as Collector, and Mr.. DIx's as Assistant
Treasurer, in terms of high commendation-
and thus each and every appointment, of every
hue and phase of political conduct and senti-
ment, have commanded harmonious tones of
commentator from the "organ." 1t was not
"paltry," therefore, nor unreasonable, to deduce
a "premonitory symptom" from the Unions
excupation of Major DIcKIE from the charge
that he had been member of the Buffalo Con-
vention. The Union treats us unkindly.
1t may not be improper to suggest that this
"cement" of patronage, with which the Ad-
ministration intends to unite National Demo
Gratis and Abolitionists in the North, and Sc
cessonsts and Union Democrats in the South,
into one great party, may lack sufficient ''ad
hesiye power" to effect the desired end. The
States of Tennessee and Georgia, and Alabama
and Mississippi indicate it. DoNELsoN, who
4
stood by ''the broad national principles of the
| Administration" at the Nashville Convention;
HOWELL CoBB, who raised the Union banner
in Georgia; CLEMENS, who threw himself in
| the breach when the Barnburners of the North
| and the Secessionsts of the South were pull
| Ing at each end to rend the Union; General
FoorE, whose voice spoke, loud and long, ma
tional principles from national platform it
to be presumed that these gentlemen are salts
fed with the manner and kind Of cement"
which the Administration has applied to them
and their friends2 Has this "cement" Of pa
tronage changed the opinions of the present
distinguished Secretary of War as to the con
situtionaliiy of the Compromises measures? To
say 70 would render Colonel Davis obnoxious