The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-04-04
The Federal GoveFnmens-Iss Power and
Patf0nage.

l
/ Patronage
There is great difference between these
Two words-power and patronsge-as they
stand connected with our political systems.-
Power and patronage may work closely togeth-
er and assist one another, no doubt, in the
business OF government; yet they are unlike in
their method and spirit. Much'more evil is to
De apprehended from the latter than from the
former. Apeople will always be wstchfal of
their rulers as TO any exercise of direc. au,
thority beyond their province. The tresspass
is plain to Re seen. The means of furnishing
it, and Of preventing its repetition, are also at
hand. 1t is not likely to be allowed unless the
people judge that there was sufficient cause for
it in the circumstances ofthe case. It is difFers
emit as to the money which government may
have to disburse. There is little occasion for
publicity; and when the facts are known the
remedy is hard to apply. And besides The mis-
chief supports itself, for the men who make
gain are interested to sustain the usage; and
others who are receiving nothing are hoping
for their turn to come.
There is kind Of degradation, too, about
this money influence that 10 peculiar. There
is dignity in power. The men who strive for
that alone are of nobler temper than those
who look for gain. There is reason in re.
public for . personal ambition that is boncra-
BILE. And with such securities for freedom as
We possess, considerable scope may safely be
allowed in those who strive to grasp at au.
thority, and whose aim it is to impress their
individual will upon the national destinies.
But the men who wish to draw money from
the public purse, are Of lower order, and the
mischief they do 10 more debasing, as it is
more insidious. It's q deflement and corrup-
ton, while the other is at worst no more than
violence,
We have suffered enough already to know
what the evil is. If any one we're to say that
our national troubles are mainly due to the in
ito the victors belong the spoils," it might be
hard matter to answer the arguments that he
could bring. A great many lucrative offices
have been made vacant by each election and
filled by the successful party. The interes. thus
formed has grown to immense Proportions
Personal influence over elections has diminished.
Weight and worth of individual character has
become of lees consequence. Principles of
public policy have been dropping to secondary
place. The main thing has been that the cleo
ton might by some means be carried, and the
emoluments of place secured. And as money
was to be made, money was the more freely
spent; until the business began to look in some
quarters like great gambling operation. 1t is
brought us into these straits, If the possession
Of the Offices in The gift of the Federal Govern
ment had not been matter of 80 great pecunis-
~ importance. Much of Northern subserviency
to the slave interest came of that. And besides
this, the whole business of politics took on
look, so mercenary and mean and selfish that
honorable men who ought to have entered into
it and controlled it, turned away in disgust
We have reaeon for speaking of these mat
tiers now. Much complaint is made of the
growing power Of the General Government, as
If it involved danger to our liberties. Wehave
judged that there was no occasion for it. And
We believe that the outcry is mostly made with
no good purpose. The men who make it are
not honest in their fears; they do not believe in
the danger; but they raise the noise to territy
others, and to carry political ends. In doing it,
they wickedly weaken an administration that
needs only to be strengthened And now, while
We speak like this, we are willing to show, as we
have before, that We have no desire to cover up
real dangers; DOR any disposition to binder the
attempt to remedy them.
&The war is likely, however it results, to en-
large the patronage Of the government, rather
than to diminish it. In what manner the evil
and corrupting consequences OF such an increase
can be avoided or counteracted, is question
worth the while for citizen or statesmen to
CODelucT. we eudli never QOlO 8l0OI from any
attempt to apply remedy that promises sues
cess.
At the same time it must be said, that this is
not the first business of the hour. We must fnd
out whether We have government or country
at all. We do not propose to perish lest some
body should get rich wrongfully out of our life
and property. Nor win we nave any hand in
any measures that are intended TO lessen the
patronage of the Executive, and at the same
time, its power to subdue our enemies is to be
materially affected by it. We will save the life
first if we can; and after that we viii! see if we
can contrive how to keep the pennies in our
pocket out of the hands Of the fellows who will
beg, but will not work. We shall have no great
trouble about it now.
Yet any such is legitimate and proper; and
may ultimately be of immense use to the nation.
We have not seen, however, any pyactica! plans
proposed, that, would meet the conditions of the
case. The men whose function i. is to find
fault, have not been fruitful Of any such schemes
Of real utility Whenever they bring them for
ward they shall have help from Us. and not re>
proaches. Springfield Republican.
Articles Of War Published for Informal
IN ~. .l.