The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-12
The Presidents Appointments.

Inc recent utterances OF President Johnson,
and the strong Endorsement of his policy by the
Democratic State Conventions of Connecticut
and New Hampshire, are susceptible of a kind
Of Interpretation to which vulgar politicians are
too prone, which is alike degrading to the Presi
dent and to the Democratic party. Those who
look upon politics as a system of trickery, as a
subtle and crafty game for winning place and
preferment, might accuse the President, on the
one side, of playing for the support of the Demo
cratic party to secure his reelection; and the
Democratic party, on the other, of fishing for
the patronage OF the Presidents gift The Presi-
dent, in his remarks to the Montana delegation
took occasion to disabuse the country of one
part OF this error and it ought equally to be dis
abused of the idea that the Democrats in the
support they give him, are looking more to
public plumber than to the success OF their prin-
ciples:
In the speech to the Montana delegation. the
President stated that he is no candidate for the
succession; that the height and elimination of
his personal ambition Is to restore the Union,
on the basis of the Constitution. The Presidency,
in any just view of II, is not q source of emolu-
ment, but place of honor; to be coveted, ii at
all for the opportunities ii affords OF acquiring
an honorable estimation with the country and
posterity. But more credit can be acquired by
success IN great crisis, than by the longest ad-
mInistraion in ordinary times statesman
who carries his country successfully through
trying exigency, has more assured fame than
can be acquired by mere length of administra-
ton.
The four years succeeding the war are the
most critical and momentous in our history. II
PRESIDENT Johnson is successful in surmounting
the difficulties of this fruitful epoch no subse-
quent continuance in Office can add ANYTHING to
llls reputatlOn; and although the office may
atterWards need him, he cannot needit But if he
TaRS; II his term approaches its conclusion with
the Union not restored, and the country poisoned
by sectional bitterness, he has no chance either
OF reelection or OF the applauding Judgment of
postenty. In his case therefore, magnanimlty
aud interest combine to impose upon him the
regard for the restoration OF the Union which
he protessed in his remarks to the Montana
delegation.
Patriotism, generosity, and interest equally
require the Democratic patty to look solely to
the restoration of the Union, and to postpone
al other considerations to this. When the
Union Is restored we, as party, must take our
chances in getting control OF the Government
The whole country has the right to a voice in
the election of the next President; and, for our
part, looking to the welfare and stability of our
institutions, we had rather see the party beaten
in lair trial of strength in which all participate
who have right to participate, than successful
in contest from which a large, portion of the
states were excluded. The chief concern of the
country is the restoration of the Unlon let the
ehec: on the subsequent success of parties be
what 1t may. The Democratic party applaud
President Johnson's single.minded devotion to
the Union, and are confident that, in a restored
Union, their principles viii find acceptance.
They do not wish the early restoration OF the
Union to be in the slightest decree impeded or
imperillcd for the sake OF any present advantage
to them.
We therefore disapprove of all attempts-if
any such attempts are making-to induce the
President TO bestow offices on Democrats. We
ask him for nothing but fidelity to his declared
principles. We did not elect him; we scorn the
idea that he can purchase our support. We do
not diguise our belief that our party interests
would be promoted by the immediate restoration
OF the Union. Our interest in this great result
10 ,gNsnr
cular offices, that, on p calculation OF pure sell
tishness and party advantage, it would be SUI
preme folly for us to leopard restoration by the
solicitation or acceptance OF patronage. The
President will, OF course, be no such simpleton
as to beatow his patronage in such manner as
to obstruct mis- policy.
But it would Undoubtedly be more for the ad-
vantage of the country for him TO so use it as to
secure the support OF influential Republicans,
than tC give 1T to Democrats, who viii support
HIM IN any event, so long as he Is true to his
avowed principles. For the present, the political
control of the country is wholly in the North;
and the South has no chance to regain its rights
till a majority OF the North support the policy of
the President If he can so use his patronage as
to carry with him a considerable portion of the
Republican party, that is probably the best use
he can make Oft
The Democratic party is opposed to every
coalition, either with the President, or with any
portion of the party that elected him. We stand
on our principles In restored Union, we have
complete confidence that our principles would
prevail. Entangling alliances with Republicans
coalition or compromises for the sake OF office
would GemoraiZe the party, lower its tone and
deprive 1t of the vantage-ground which strict
fidelity to principle would give II, from the mo-
ment the Union is restored. Ii the President
throws TO Democrats few sops in the way of
office, that amounts to nothing; for the tempo
rary possession of few offices does not secure
either the triumph of principles or the resto-
ration OF the Union. If he bestoWs all his offices
upon Democrats, he raises general howl and
hullaballoo, which Will tend, more than any.
thing else could, TO reconsolidate the disinte-
grating Republican party, and postpone the
restoration of the Union till after the next Pres-
dental election. Any Democrat who would
wish 10 purchase office at this price is traitor
TO his party.
We would gladly see all offices filled by Demo-
Gratis; but we wish TO see them obtained, not by
tawning on q President whom we did not elect
not by degrading barter of so much support
for so much patronage, not by the slightest con-
cession OF principle, but by manly appeals to tEe
people and well-earned success IN the elections
We have nothing but hard knocks and vigorous
opposition Tor any political harlotry which looks
to a blending OF tie Democratic party with any
portion or section OF Its political opponents
Whether the Union is restored In this admins.
tration, or not till the next, restoration is sure
TO come; ana If anything can be deemed certain
in politics, it is that the Democratic party Will
then triumph, if it does not lose ITS pontica
chastity.
Thrilling Scene in the Cirque NapoleOn-A
LiOness on the Rampage.