The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-10-13
THE DIFFERENCE.

l mere was time, Ill me Detlef DAYS Oh
the republic, when the men who controlled
the affairs of the nation had a decent respect
tor the opinions Of mankind, and whole
some sense of shame which could not countc-
nance an outrage on the public sense of pro
priety and Justice. Thirty years ago, and
even at a much later date, it was held to be
improper and indecent for those who held
public positions of emolument and trust to
make of themselves noisy and brawling poll
ticians. 1t was respect for this wholesome
sentiment which led Daniel Webster, then
Secretary OF State in the Harrison Cabinet,
to address to Thomas Ewing the following
letter, by direction Of the President
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
MARCH 90 ISL.
To THE Hon. THOMAS EWING
Secretary Of the Treasury:
SIR: The President is of opinion that it is great
abuse to bring the patronage of the General Gov
eminent into conflict with the freedom Of elections
and that this abuse ought to be corrected wherever
it may have been permitted to exist, and to be pre-
vented for the future.
all the officers and agents in your department of
the public service, that partisan interference in
popular elections, whether of State officers or OIL
GERS of this Government, and for Whomsoevcr, or
against Whomsoeyer it may be exercised or the
payment of any contribution or assessment on sal
aries, or official compensation for party election
purposes will be regarded by him cause of
removal.
1t is not intended that any officer Shall be re-
strained in the free and proper expression and
maintenance of his opinions respecting public men
or public measures, or in the exercise, to the fullest
degree, of the constitutional right of suffrage Bat
persons employed under the Government. and
paid for their services out of the public Treasury.
are not expected to take AN active or olcious part
in attempts TO influence the minds or votes of
others; such conduct beng deemed inconsistent
with the spirit of the constitution and the ,lnt les
of public agents acting under it; and the President
is resolved so lar depends upon him, that while
shall be free from undue influences Of official sta
ton and authority, opinion shall also be free
among the officers and agents of the Government.
have the honor to he sir. your obedlent ser
want, DANIEL WEBSTER.
Those days are no more. With the lapse
both Of time and party virtue. the mantle of
Harrison has fallen upon the shoulders of
Grant, and Hamilton Fish occupies, but does
not fill, the chair Of Webster. Grant declar-
ed in his inaugural address that he should
endeavor so secure free religious and polit-
zeal opinion, in every part of our common
country, without regard to local prejudces y
In the face of this declaration, made with the
oath of Office fresh from his lips, Mr.. Grant
is now engaged in suppreSsing the exercise
of free political opinion in Missouri, and in
writing letters to his office holders there that
they are expected to take certain course.
The New York Tribune few DAYS ago had
the following
ST. LOUIS, September 20. A letter received to-
day by Charles w. Ford, United States Internal
Revenue Collector for this district, from President
Grant contains the following: Il regard the
movement headed by Charles SchurtZ, Brown, &c..
as similar to the Tennessee and Virginia move
mcntS, intended to carry portion of the Republic
can party over the Democrats, and thus give the
Democrats control. | hope you will all see your
way clear to give the regular ticket your support"
Sincethis was made public ,sevcralremovals
have been made in Missouri and more are
threatened. Compare this low and narrow
minded policy with the noble sentiments ex-
pressed in the Webster letter That Official
act cannot fail to do incalculable harm to
the moral sentiment Of the country by offer
ing Il premium on venality and hypocrisy
Such is the manner in which this higl-mind-
ed successor of Washington redeems his
promise TO promote free political opinion
How much he has done for free religion does
not appear, but it may be assumed that he
has at least eApounded old-time Orthodoxy
by a conspicuous Illustration of the doctrine
of rewards and punishments