The Union and journal., 1869-07-23
Trus lfen for ONce.
Prom tho Bangor Whig.

Prom tho Bangor whig.
The much abused saying OF An
drew jackson that ''to the victor belongs the
spOis," while capable Of great deal Of wrong,
yet is only homely way Of expressing very
Just principle for the guidance OF political
party. To our recollection. we never knew the
Democracy TO object to its strictest application
till the advent Of Rebublicanism, and as party
managers, the leaders Of that organization in its
best days never were excelled. Their captiOus
aud fractious opposition to the rule, now, there
fore, is simply further evidence Of its necessity.
There may be circumstances in which it is
difficult to comply with this ruls. There are
official places in which il takes . long time to
master the duties required, and We would not
too hastily sacrifice the welfare Of the public SER
vice even for the present good Of the party
When Mr.. Lincoln first came into power. this
objection might have held 10 considerable extent
for very few Republicans were familiar with the
duties Of places to which they were called. But
this objection does not hold now, save to rery
limited extent, IL at all. There are plenty OF
competent men in the Republican party to do
all the duties required by government.
There are many reasons why the places Of trust
and cmOlument should be given to none but OUT
spoken Republicans everywhere. The machn-
cry Of party is not run by its enemies, nor by
half and half friends. A campaign that is car
ricd ON upon the milk and water style Of injuring
nobody Is almost without exception failure,
and in the long run II is necessary to depend
upon the work and the means Of those who labor
uncomprOmisingly for the principles for which
the party is the exponent ltisyery reasonable
to expect therefore, that the more consistent the
action the more deserving the partizan Of any
rewards which the party may have at command.
Everything else being equal, we should reward
our friends first. But stronger yet Is our case
where, as we believe, the Republican party con-
taines enough Of the best men for all the posi-
tons of trust and profit under tho administra-
ton.
There is still better consideration. Having
gained repeated victories for Republican princi-
plies. Il is our duty to secure the fruits thereof
What is the benefit Of a bare victory, IL we throw
away the opportunity to establish our ideasr Is
II q victory, IL we leave the machinery of the
government in the hands Of those whom we have
defeated! II Republican principles are worthy,
they must be represented TO the fullest extent,
and every place Of trust should be confined to
their friends. II seems TO us there is no chance
for compromise in such cases; our cause is
either good or bad. and believing il good. our
duty Is to uphold it everywhere and by all hon
orable means.
In this view, we have failed to sec the policy
Of fayoring our enemies in certain quarters
We have been astonishel at the lenicncy with
which the semi-rebels In Washington and in other
places have havebeen allowed to encourage trcs.-
son upon the generous patronage Of the govern
ment. We have not understood why they have
influenced almost life-lease for themselves in
fat berths Of public patronage. II is, We fre
quite tecertain, the result Of mistaken policy
that policy which fears more an enemy than it
loves a friend. which thinks more Of barren
party victory than Of the triumph OF principles.
IL Is practically an error, because Il comprises
with official brokers, the weakest Of all elements
In the end to a party; il Is theoretically an
crrr. because il uses the argument Of the cow
arl--thst while wcac SURF OF the steaif,stness