Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-05-18

filed by members of the same party
who were appointed by the President
or his predecessor, Mr.. Lincoln.
suppose it to be true that the great
majority of those persons now holding
Office, as we'll as the great mass of
the Union party, concur with Con
gress in the proper policy to be pur-
sued in the restoration of these rebel
States. suppose it is feared that in
this contest before the people, as to
which Of these two policies shall pre-
vail, the President will attempt to
strengthen his position by the use of
his patronage, that is, that he will dis
place men who believe in and advO-
cate the congressional policy, and fill
the positions with either Union men,
or Democrats who will advocate the
| policy of the President. And | do not
know but it is feared that men now
holding Office, who really believe with
Congress, will, Tor fear of losing their
offices, profess to believe and act with
the President Now, havenO knowl-
edge that the President designs any
snch course Of action; he may or may
not. | do know that the Demo
cratic press and politicians Of the
country are urging this course upon
HIM with great zeal, and with great
promise ofpolitical profit to him and
MS policy. [ cannot help believing
that they have THEN own profit and
advantage much more at heart than
his, or that of his policy, in giving
this disinterested advice. Now. |
should as deeply regret TO hore auy
good Union man removed from Office,
and especially one that fully sympa-
thized with Congress in their differ
ence with the President, as any Sena-
tor III this chamber, or anyUnion man
IN the land. like to have my poiit-
zeal friends hold the Offices, not only
for their own advantage and profit,
but because I am very apt to think
they are the best men, and that the
public service is more honestly at
tended to than it would be by men OF
the opposite political belief.
Now, il this amendment is adopted,
will it have the effect to prevent the
President from making changes in OF
fee for political causes ? 1.-The has no
such purpose or intention, then there
Is certainly no need Of such an extra
ordinary provision being attached to
this bill And may be allowed to
say that | am not prepared to believe
that he designs 10 do any such foolish
thing. But assuming that he has such
a wish and purpose, will the adoption
OF such an amendment as this be like
" 10 prevent him from accomplishing
it? On the other hand, will it not
look like daring and defying him 10 do
1t, and be very likely to produce the
very results we desire to avoid 1t
Is very reasonable to suppose that the
President would feel great reluctance
to remove men OF his own party. APP
pointed either by himself o. his mar
tyred predecessor, even ii Lne} did not
believe In or advocate his policy. Ii
we attempt to prevent 1t Dy the aac OF
such questionable. if not mWarranta-
Die legislation, as this amendment pro-
poses, is there not danger, not only
1hat he will accept the challenge, but
that this very amendment will be ac-
cepted by the people as sufficient
justification for that course, and far
nish a ground for saying that Con
greSS was the aggressive party stu
ated as we are, 1t seems 10 me that the
adoption oil this amendment will be
more likely to produce than 10 prevent
what We all hope to avoid.
But suppose that | am mistaken in
my views, and III consequence Of a
failure to adopt this amendment The
President undertakes 10 help his case
before the people by turning good
Union men who believe with Congress
out OF office, and fills their places with
men, either Republicans or Democrats,
who believe in his policy, is there any
such ground of alarm in this as should
brighten us out Of our propriety, and
drive us to doubtful desperate expedi-
ents
The whole thing is founded in a
lack OF faith in the people.
Ihls has been common error OF poi
ltlclans and public men always, but
the mistake is greater now than ever
before, and especially III regarding any |
past experience Of the effect and pow |
9r OF political patronage as applicable /!
to the present. condition of things.
In former times, when the people |
regarded politics merely as a trade |
BY which certain men obtain living: |
when the issues between the parties /
we're about internal improvements, the /
public lands, banks, tariffs, and the /
Ike subjects, the real merits of which /
he masses OF the people really knew
'ut little about, and cared less; when
hey had no real belief that the sue
esS or defeat Of either party would
make a tarthing's difference with them
IT the country, than body Of stirring l.
ctlve otfice-holders, to circulate docu-
lentS, harangue the people, and get
MT the voters, could produce a very
important influence upon an election.
SUIT this state Of things has no exis-
ence now, and no reliance can be
laced now upon the experience of
hose days. For four long years we
ere engaged in most desperate and
Ioody war, which period the very I
xlstence OF the nation itself. The !
ttention OF the whole country was
oused and was kept most painfully 5
ltent upon the causes aud course of
lie war till it ended in the overthrow
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