The Union and journal., 1869-07-16
,.tA. .ya.s.i..-s p,..-r. "a. s,.u.,
Ir,~ D. rpt,,ees,A cAraols,sl =

III " 80 - - - '~~~iA|E
We commend 10 the Republican politicians Of
this vicinity ION both sides Of the Piscatsqua)
the candid editorial on our fourth page, from the
Biddef6rd JoURNAI-''To the yictors belong the
Spoils." Bro. Butler fcrcibly puts the case as
IL II, as il seems that nothing short Of plain talk
can he understood by those who control appoln'-
ments and the employment OF workmen ~ the
Navy Yard and elsewhere. si = "a ! ~
II has long been an axiom that the Democrats
"know how to take care Of their friends "a
piece Of political wisdom that has been but half
learned by their opponents. During the rebel
lion concliatory policy was adopted by The
Republican master-workmen at the Navy Yard,
and we have known men employed permanently
who never could be reliei on to support the Lin
coin administration In the time Of need, while
faithful Republicans, hard workers who never
Ainchcd and were always to be relied on for the
cause Of loyalty and right, were repeatedly re-
fuscd employment The only excuse offered was
that the votes Of the doubtful men must be
secured ut all hazards. The policy worked vel
in fair weather, but when the dark days OF '62
brought disaster and doubt, when George u,
Mcclellan lei the Potomac army ON the PENN
sula almost TO destruction, the time-seryers who
had been employed for the sake Of their votes,
deserted TO the copperheads, and the true Union
men, who supported the administration from
principle, and could not obtain work because Il
was not necessary TO bribe them to vote right
remained firm. Their position was never In
doubt,-no one ever feared that they would
prove traitors TO party fealty-for they acted on
principle. though IL was not policy for them tC
do 50. Some Of them obtained employment af.
terxarls, and others were forced to leave fol
better opportunities abroad.
A change came at last, and Andrew johnson
commenced ''making treason odious" by ap-
pointing the most notorious rebels and rebe
sympathircrs 20 Office. II was not to he lament
el that some Of the leading men, who rewarded
their enemies and neglected. their friends, were
guillotnel without mercy. In those days il
paid men TO support Andrew johnson, and q
few rccrcants were found who were willing tC
sell their principles (if they ever had any) for
Office. Some of those men are to-day holding
responsible positions at the Navy Yard, and
there are others there (haying charge Of scores
Of workmen,) who supported the rebel cause
throughout.
The changes since the Fourth Of March have
been teiously slow. Had Seymour been chosen
President, not Republican or any one sus-
pected to have any friendship for Republican
principles would have remained at the Yard,
and now we find the most bitter ooppcrheads re-
taine,l. II is the same old policy which could be
Afforded from '6l to '65, but cannot be self-sus-
tanning now
We know of one case Of Maine soldier, DIS
charged from n lucrative clerkship that q politi-
cal opponent might be employed. Ills otiensc
consisted in warmly supporting Republican
Congressman for reelection. The Congressman
was reelected, his soldier constituent was ig
nored, another Republican was promoted TO the
clcrkship and il was proposed TO offer an Inferior
position to the soldier IL was only proposed,
however, for the appointment was given to a
copperhead, whose former position had given
him the best opportunities for prescribing Re
publican wOrkmen.
Another case is that Of master workman, a
Republican, ousted by Andrew johnson to make
room for one Of his supporters. The Republican
has been lately rc-appointed. but by an order
from Washington Is obliged to retain the man
who had him removed, as Quarterman.
Another case is that of a soldier who was
made the particular object of political persecu-
ton by the coppcrhead JohnsonItes, and finally
was discharged from the Yard through their in
strumentality. lie was rewarded by promises
Of one place and another, never fulfilled and to-
day is unemployed. DO the victOs deserve the
spOllsl r.- .frg
We cite these cases which among others come
to our notice, rs examples. We have no special
interest in the welfare Of the Republican party,
except as il best represents the loyal sentiment
of the country. Those most interested are the
leaders, and to them we especially dedicate these
few remarks, hoping that more wisdom will pre-
vail in their councils. -
Working men are not TO be idly used and then
thrown away until the next convenient oppor-
tunity Cor m liking them useful. Repeated neg
lect To do Justice Is liable To make the most
faithful hesitate (exccpt in n dangerous crisis)
tn blindly endorse policy which is as lacking in
common sense as il is suicidal. The best test OF
a mans principle is his willingness and eager
ness to do right when il costs something to do
50 Fair weather sailors are not to be relied on
in storms, always, and il will bc well to heed
the murmurs Of dscontent ere mutiny arises
That discomfort has resulted from the truck
ling policy thus far adopted, is well known, but
il is probable that its fun extent is unknown to
those in authority. We have been repeatedly
urgel TO publicly condemn the action which so
evidently tends to the decentralization Of the Re
publican party hereabouts, in the hope that n
little plain talk will convince those most inte'-
csted that every Republican voter expects and
insists that every man in the party, high or
low, shall contribute to the success Of the whole.
now that opportunities offer. A neglect TO do
so viii be certainly followed by demonstration
at the polls which will sstonish the natives