The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-08-07
The Enquirer on Gov. Blair.

The Grand Reapids Enquirer, in its
issue of Saturday last, walks into Gov.
BLAIR in a way hardly justifable. The
sarcasm of the article is based upon a
supposed assumption by the Governor
that he has accomplished all that has been
done for the military glory of the State.
Next, that the Governor has oflicered these
Regiments from among his own personal
friends. That the contracts for furnish
ing clothing, &c, are given TO his person
al and political friends, regardless Of price,
and accepted regardless of workmanship
or material, &C.
We are not called upon to defend Gov.
BLAIR; but, certainly, when SO able
democratic paper is for the moment on
the wrong track, we can assume the priv
ilegc of political sympathy and question
| the correctness Of the premise taken by
the Enquirer.
If the Governor assumes that he has
done all that has been done, such an as
sumption will wipe him out fast enough
of itself. But, has he taken that egotis-
teal position? The State was not, in its
Treasury, in very plethoric condition;
and any Governor would be in about the
condition of tho Israeltes, when required
by the Egyptians 10 furnish d definite
quota of bricks, per day--no matter how
impoverished they were for supply of
material--if we will but remember the fl
nancal condition Of the State when the
General Government called for troops.
There can be no doubt that Governor
BLAIR has done well-for doing anything
under such circumstances is creditable 10
any man. No State has merited or re-
ceived moro praise for ready and efficient
response to the call of the President than
!, Michigan; and this was the result of ma
chinery adjusted and arranged for action
! by the direct influence and labor of the
Govcrnor--the people Of the State fur
! nished tho Steam. Let Governor BLAIR,
we say, have credit for it. If the officers
i of tho newly called for regiments are APP
G pointed from among his own personal
r friends" us heretofore, then, all we have
n to say, is, that Governor BLAIR certainly
has about as competent and bravo militia
n ~ men for friends rs any Governor in
J, the Union; and we hope the list of such
= friends was not exhausted when the 1st
n I'd, Sd and 4th Regiments were differed
! If the Governor chooses to give con
n tracts TO political friends, who are appl
+ cants, that is all right, provided, always
If that tho price and material are equa
: with those Of other applicants. If exor
c bitanL prices arc paid to pets for shoT
/ work and "shoddy," then particularize by
d facts and figures, and the people will raise
a hornets nest about his ears-but W.
don't like this chronic growing upon gen
eralities. We are heartily sick of hear
ing complaints, because political consider
A., ations have an Influence with the power.
that be. If otherwise qualified, and W
TO the standard of requirement, repre-
: sentative of the party in power would de-
servedly be a laughing stock, did he mol
+ appoint TO positions Of trust and emolu
> ment from the ranks of his own party
If those appointed are not qualified, ha
u IS oar business, but not till an ensuing
election. "To the victors belong The
spoils." The republican party won the
$ elephant at the ballot box, last fall, ant
/ now let them feed him, as best they may
. All fodder, Of governmental patronage be
l.. longs TO them of right. 1t is not com
IS plimentary to their material when the,
IS seek men from the democratic party L
= do paying work, and they had better dis
v organize as party at once, when they do
a --------------
e Our SoIL.--If any one doubts the fer
c tility of the soil in this region, let hin
II take a look at the gardens in this village
= In many of them where the soil has new
r or been enriched by artificial means, ma,
o be seen corn, potatoes, and nearly al
u kinds of vegetables that it would DO hare
: to beat. Tho fruit trees also look well
&. | and nro ladcn with fruit - 1ELs Lnnn,