The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-06-19


We have urged and understood it to be
agreed upon that, in prosecuting the war for
the Union, no party and no political distine-
ton shall be kLown but that Of Unionists
and Secessionists. He Who il FOR the Union
frankly, heartily, uncondisionally--is en.
titled to any appointment or position In the
military service If the country that his abil-
ities and character will command, and the
fact that be supported for President, Lin
coln, Bell, Douglas or Breckenridge, il not
70 be considered ID assigning that position
ten. Butler, Gen. Dix, and hundreds more
such, obtain coveted commands and com
missions in the service, whether regular or
volunteer, not by favor OF the President, not
~ implying or INVOLVING any change in their
political convictions or relations, but %
.lmrle, naked rlght. The fAct-if it be .
fact-that they would vote to Gust the Ae-
mioistrAtion to morrow, does not initiate 10
the smallest degree againss their right to be
treated By that Administration quite as well
a. thew treat Banks, Fremont. and other en-,
inen. Republicans. In preparing and pro.
viding for the defspse OF the Union, party
politics ara not tesbe AZ oil considered.
Should this rdle be extended to civil
Offices 40 weli2 Anti Republicans say that ii
should, and catch at bow and then careless
sentence In tbs Tribune 81 favoring their po
sition. We think differently; and here are
our reasons:
| The modeYn Democratic party, based on
| the combinations OF Crawford, Calhoun and
jackson men to Gust Adams and Clay. sue
ceeded in power An Administrations which
never removed = man from ofioe because oil
his politics. The new dynasty deliberately
charged all THE. substituting for the broad
eat tolsrati0n . systematic prescription -
We arc not arguing that this WAS right o,
wrong; We simply state historical, undeniabls
facts.
/ The late Administration claimed TO ba Z
lineal successor Of Gen. Jackeon'a, and actec
on the principle established by him OF Gre
warding friends and punching enemiss."
No Rerublicsn vas placed by 1t in any civil
station that Democrat waited, nor left ii
one unless 10 the very rare instanccs wher,
Republican vas deemed peculiarly III no
exclusively qualified. We doubt that ~,
r publioans in all were in Office under th,
Federal Government in this city ON the ta,
OF the late Presidential election. Mr.. Lin
coln vas chosen in defiance OF desperate ex
, ertions and heavy contributions from thu
army Of oficehoders. Those who, for eigh
/, years at least, bad been vigorously pro
scribed, now came into power. Would il b
: just, Or wise, or human, to keep In once al
or the bulk Of these defeated prescription
lists Are they to obtAioo Office by the mar
rowcst prescription and hold il BY tho broad
= est liberation !?
' We say No--emphatically No--that woul
! be monstrously wrong. Whenever the u em
Il ocratie party sbali DO willing to divide til
ofices fairly between the parties, and cstat
y hsh irrevocably the rule that 20 man aha
be turned out Of Gasernm en1 riae. -hc.:
il OF the emoluments fall short Of $4,000 ps
10 annum, save upon proof and impartil
d Judgment OF incompetency or nnfaithfulne
10 on bis part, We slan be most happy to uni
= With them in establishing that rule. But, 4
It long as they uphold and enforce the eysteu
I. ATTIC prescription Of their opponents, We %
o. not consent that they shalt be exempted fro
1T the less agreeable application Of their o.
"a rule.
se Bot the war for the Union; what OF that
a. Let Us see:
20 The Republicans having elected Tres
OF dent, portion OF the Democrats fermeo,,
he rebellion with view 10 d,ss0lyinp ii
d. Union. The residue OF the Democrai uni
"a With the Republicans simply and only
maintaining and defending the Union. Tb
- - right anil patriotic. Blu. nobody wou
nj have denied that, had there been no rehe
n lion, the ofices would have rnurei 10 ii
az Republicans Thes claim them now. Do
!. the Tact that half the Democrats have I
- beted against the Union inyaliJate tl
1k claim I We think not. We hold III simpl
material, undeuiabie justice that those vi