Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-26
An Administration PARTY.

IL certainly IS not desirable Tor any party tC
have Presidential influences arrayed against it
A President has it in his power to build up, OIL
to pull down to make, or to unmake parties
Thus far President JOHNSON has kept in reserve
one great power that he can WELD with effec
whenever he chooses to exert 1.-THE Govern,
ment patronage. The efficacy Of SO the cOhe-
sive power Of public plumber" was long age
made manifest. The spoils of Office supply
to hundreds of thousands of people the great
incentive to political action.
The interest with which President JOHNSON
is regarded, and the anxiety Of both parties AT
the North to obtain his recognition, was re-
Gently illustrated in striking manner. The
two candidates for the GovernOrship OF Con
necticut left the scene of the contest and visited
Washington to seek interviews Separate, o
course,) with the President. The desired in
terviews were granted the Presidents ur-
banity and cOmplaisance charmed both o
them, and they have returned to Connecticut
in good spirits, we are told. What occurred
we do not know. The probability is, however
that the President only assured them that ne
shouldi abstain from all interference in the
elections. The Republican candidate, General
HAwLEY, had no right to expect more, for be-
ing asked before he started for Washington il
he was a JOHNSON man he replied with admi-
rable delicacy, "I am nobOdy's man but my
wife's"
The Presidents situation as regards party
relations and obligations is Of a peculiar
character. He can scarcely be said to
have any. The Democrats opposed his
election to the Presidency. The Re-
publicans ran him not because he was a
Republican, flor he had never been One,) but
because it was deemed necessary to run war
Democrat on the ticket with Mr.. LINCOLN, in
order to unite Republicans and Democrats in
the energetic prosecution Of the war. The
New York World describes the Presidents in
dependent position, with regard topartieS, with
as much breyity as force in the following Ian
guage;
Though Democrat in principle, he owes moth
ing to the Democratic party, for it opposed his ecc-
ton. Though elected by the Republicans, he owes
little TO them for they took hun as Democrat;
took him because he was a Democrat, and bestowed
on him an Office of mere honor, without either pat
ronage or influence II he has Offices to bestow, is
contrary to their intentions If he has power in the
Government, IL is not because they meant to trust
him with any. II he differs from them in policy II
is because they differ from the Convention that nOm-
mated him. 1t is not possible to conceive eombl-
nation of circumstances which would more COM
pletely exempt u President from all party Obllga-
TONS and leave him so free 70 act IN the spirit OF
elevated patriotism, without regard TO party tram
mes."
The Presidents situation is indeed indepen-
dent and commanding; but it is one that can
not be long maintained. His policy is opposed
by the Republican party, and yet that party
prospers and wins success by means of his
popularity. While they array themselves
against him in Congress, in the State LegiSla-
lures and in popular assemblages they yet
pretend to rally under his flag and invoke the
magic of his name in their elections.
We are glad to see that a call has been made
for a meeting in Washington to inaugu-
rate new party to be known as the Admins
tration party. Such party is the great want
of the country. Until we have such party
none of those great aims of the President with
which the masses warmly Sympathize, can be
eOusummated. Existing parties will thwart his
efforts and disappoint the wishes Of the people.
There must be a distinct and well defined Ad-
ministratiOn party, and meetings should be
called all over the country for the purpose OF
organizing sucha party. The people will come
together into such an organization as soon as
the opportunity is offered TO them. Nor must
they wait for the managing politicians in Con
gress and in the State Legislatures 1--WE here re-
fer to the North to start this movement. The
Republican and Democratic lenders are alike
opposed to it. They both wish to retain and
maintain their present organizations. The Re
publicans are the dominant party, and do not
wish to lose their control Of the Government
and their monopoly of the spoils. The Demo
Gratis hope, by maintaining their organization,
to attract to it enough conservative recruits to
give them the ascendancy and the Spoils now
enjoyed by the Republicans. new party,
formed on the principles indicated would alb
sorb the Democratic party and attract the con-
servative masses from the Republican ranks.
Instead of being led and governed by the self
.ish managers and intriguants, the people must
act for themselves, inaugurate this great move
ment, organize an Administration party, and
secure the realization of the Presidents patri
otto aims. If such party is formed it will de-
serve. and will doubtless receive, all the pat
ropage at the disposal of the President. Let
this movement begin in Washington, and be
followed up through the Northern States. 1t
wiil then be time enough for the Southern PEG
pie to fall in. They will unite in it almost to 3
man.
Since the foregoing was written, the follow
ing from the National IRtelhgeRcer, OF yester'
day, has fallen under our eye. 1t seems to u
to harmonic with and confirm the views here
presented:
"THE CONNECTICUT INSTRUMENTATION OF TIL
PREsIDENT-THE QUESTION SETTLED.
Yesterday we called particular attention to th'
despatch Of the Washington correspondent oil th'
New 1Ork Tribune, which, with Others from respect
able and well-infOrmed quarters bear out what WI
had before stated as to the Presidents views con
.cerRjng the Connecticut election The following L
the Trlbune's despatch referred to:
The President Of cOdrse, desired 10 see his poll
ey sustained wherever the issue was distinctly anC
fairly made but he had not interered and did no
propose 10 interfere with the politics Of the States
His friends there knew better than he what course
was proper for them To take to promote the great oh
jects which all earnest Union men desire to see ac
complished.'
Upon this point We wrote as follows:
at would be as inconsistent with the character O
republic an institutions dsrespectfHl 70 the peopl
for the President to state whom he wanted elected
Andrew johnson has never dictated TO the peOp
but respects their feelings, and is willing to abide
their Judgment
His acts are before the people Of Connection
and so are those Of Congress. He desires the su
cess Of the man that sUstains him.
Yesterday the following despatch from Rad
cal source reached here from the North;
CONVERSATION WITH PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
"HARTFORD, March %, 1856
ain view of the extraordinary reports that we
circulated concerning influences from Washingt,
that we're brought to bear upon our canvass, v
we're earnestly requested, by some Of our polite
fr;ends. 10 proceed to Washington and ascertain ii
tacts General Hawley was requested to aeeompar
senator Foster introduced us, and the Preside
.a.eived us cordially. Much conversation ensu,
N. ;otsnded for publication. The President
nOs are inst and decided upon the duty of Il
NNs.;onaI Government not to interfere in State ee
Ne himself does not desrs 10 make remar
Ifa1 ali heated