Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-03
THE RELATIONS OF PARTIES To
OFFICES.


At the outset Of our Government, the
people were substantially united in their
general opinions Of the proper policy of the
public administration in completing the
civil aud social structure Of the new power
created by the Revolution, and Of intro
ducinG il dccently and respectfully to a
place among the family Of nations At
such time the rule Of appointments to
Office by the Executive, consulting simply
honesty and competency" was adopted.
Among people homogeneous in sentiment
and united in purpose, this was the best and
the only just and wise rule.
But as the country enlarged, there arose
differences Of a serious character among the
representative men Of the time, and were by
them conveyed to the people as to the true
construction Of the provisions Of the Con
stitution, as well as Of domestic and foreign
policy, which, after many mutations gave
rise to settled party organizations. These,
in turn, struggled with zeal, and often with
passionate vehemence for the control Of the
Government, and the permanent occu-
patton Of the seats Of political power. The
sympathies and jealous exertions of the
entire people were enlisted, and it be-
came the custom thenceforward for the
people to elect to official station
men Of their own party and political
views. These officials, in turn, whenever
vested with the appointing power, look
ed only to men Of their own political
faith for appointees. This was neces-
sary result Of the party system of the coun-
try, and was philosophically just. For
when the people, on distinct issues of ma
tional economy, declared their wishes by
majorities, it became the duty Of the repre-
sentatives, the official opponents of the
views of those majorities, to texecute the
popular desire in the public administration.
This rule was tersely expressed, even in the
better Though not the best days of the Re
public, to the victors belong the spoils."
However severely the idea conveyed by this
expression was condemned, the rule was
paramount and was followed with much
strictness by all parties.
We repeat that it was philosophically
just. 1t simply carried into effect the popu-
lar verdict, which must ever control in a
free government based upon our system of
representative democracy. 1t was liable to
abuse, and may have been abused; but in a
country where the people were 50 nearly
evenly divided, there were plenty to be found,
on either side, both "honest and competent"
TO fill the offices. Dishonesty and incom-
potency did not necessarily follow, and the
appointing power was still responsible for
improper or dishonest appointees. If in
competent and knavish men get place, and
if their "bad eminence" should be so great
as to call for it, the people have the power
and it is their duty to expel from office the |
appointer and appointed alike.
This relation OF parties TO Offices in this |
country is As firmly established in our minds |
and political customs as are the offices them |
selves and the recurring elections to fill |
them. So long as the people are divided |
into parties it will continue. If the occa-
sion arises when the people are unanimous
or nearly so, the party reasons for appoint |
ments will cease This was exhibited in
the North and the South during the war
when the people of both sections were sub
stantially united on the questions uppermost
at the time. Mr.. LINCOLN, Wing and |
Republican all bis life, appointed Demo
Gratis to place; and Mr. DAVIS, a Democrat, |
appointed his previous political opponents
to most responsible offices and trusts. Mr..
JOHNSON, succeeding TO the Presidency in
the midst Of those circumstances which pro-
duced this unanimity, retained the appoin-
tees Of his predecessor so long as the unity
of the popular sentiment justified it. But
mischief-maRers, for selfish purposes, have
sought TO again divide the country into par
ties, and to revive the necessity for distinc-
tons i'm the bestowment Of Government
patronage. He is adopting this rule to
abuse Of his enemies without stint. No
man can trust his private business safely in
the hands Of his business rival and no man
in public station can trust the public admin
istration safely in the hands Of the paid enc
mics of his policy. If he is honest, judi
cious and patriotic he will be sustained; if
he is not he will be condemned.
The only wonder is that the President
does not turn out Of place every official to
whom his power extends who is either Sc
,ret or open foe to his policy, which is so
vital to our country and its Constitution.