Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-06-13
v YrpyrsDAY MoRSINo#iJunc ls, 1866.
A Civil Necessity"

a "ClVll Necessity.
Office holders, and those dependent
upon their smiles, affect to be much
embarrassed to ascertain which side
honor requires them to take in the
contest between Radicalism and the
President.
Strange that they should misunder-
stand the practical workings of the
maxim "to the victors belong the
spoils.7 Since 1861, the Republicans
have had just claim to the enjoy
mont of office, and most valiartly
have they asserted their right. The
records show that ticice as many APP
pointments were made in tie ciDu ser
ricc under Mr.. Lincoln as had been
made by all Of his predecessors. OF
this, Democrats had no right to com
plain, and for five years they have
patiently "stood out in the cold, " and
despite the subtle arts of a despotic
foe have gallantly maintained their
principles and their organization.
Suppose there is difficulty in deci-
ding which wing of the Republicans
is the party that triumphed in 1860
and 1864, it still does not affect the
Democracy, and can in no manner
ontitle them to claim the spoils of
Office.
If the President would assume to
dictate to Congress whom they should
select to fill the offices at their dispo-
sal he would justly mcritand would un-
doubtedly receive the seycrestr trebuke,
and yet he has precisely the same
right to do this that Congress has to
dictate TO him the recipients Of his
official fayors. Upon this subject the
Radicals have themselves settled the
question. Who does not remember
that within brief two years the Radi-
cal shibbolcth was, 'fTnE PRESIDENT IS
THE GOVERNMENT Oppose the Presi-
dent and you oppose the Government.
All men are traitors who do not sup
port the President" Such were the
daily utteranees of .he shoddy loyal
lists; Mr.. Lincoln himself sanctioned
the doctrine, and their whole party
acted upon it. The unlawful seizure
and Imprisonment of thousands Of
Democrats have indelibly impressed
upon our minds this doctrine in all Its
length and breadth. If then, Lincoln
as President was the Government, so
Johnson as President is tho Govern
ment, and we commend to their lips
the chaliec so rGdely pressed to ours.
The Offices are in tho gift of the
Executive If he believes his policy
will restore the Union and give pros
perity to the whole people, and if he
Believes he can strengthen his cause
through the offices at his disposal, he
should at once and determinedly use
the means the Constitution and laws
have given him Three fifths of the
Republicans arc with the President
but through the controlling influence
of their party machinery their voice
is stiled; they are induced to be silent
by the false assurance that all will
yet be well that the differences will
yet bo healed They forget that
ANDREW JOHNSON proclaimed from
the steps Of tho Presidential mansion,
that THESE MEN CARE TRAITORS" The
hour for fraternizatioI. has past; the
breach is irreparablc the separation
is final.
Upon the question of re-construc-
tion the Democracy in solid phalanx
arc supporting the policy of the Presi-
dent They seek none of the Offices
They have no just claim to them
They regard the contest as one of
principlc-onc Of greater Importance
was never submitted to the American
people. It's defeat will forever sink
the last hope of our free Institutions
its triumph will make a glorious fu-
turo possible for our noble country.
The influence of Office holders for
good Is but slight for Grill they may
be all powerful. AS supporters of a
measure they weigh but little; as its
opposers they are always felt. In a
close contest, their opposition may
turn tho scale In deadly struggle
with TRAITORS" can it be that the
President will permit his Office hold