Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-12-22

The PIE ent political situation is neither new
nor strange in its general aspect. II Is nof
greatly different from the short lived season OF
discussion and dispute within the Republican
ranks during the third year Of Presiden, Lin
coins fret term. Indeed where history has not
fairly repeated itself the difference is one that
msk5s the present condition Of Affairs more
reasonably satisfactory and reassaring to those
who sre not prone to be unduy slarmed 81 the
slightes; symptoms Of party discori sni unrest
The elections Of 1863 we're by no means as fiat
teTing 50 endorsement Of L;ncou's Aiministra-
ton as that but lately obtained by President
Grant The opposition .nt open hostility to
President Lineolns reelection and to his views
on certain public questions hal quite as respect
Able Leadership, quite as formidable front
within The Republican party as can be claimed
for the Anti Administration faction Of to-day.
Ben Wade and Henry Winter Davis were as able
aud influential aad certainly as pure public men
ss any that nov carp at the Administration,
and, with better cause, failed to win xny per
msBent popular sympathy or support for their
crusade sg4iust the Executive Naturally in I
dgnsnt as the Administration party have been. |
suspectirF that the " sore head" Senator's simp- 4
ly sought an opportunity to put the con3uc; of |
the government under the microscope 10 order
to serve the interest of the little private "
political enterprise to which these malcontents
have been 50 cordially invited by the Democracy,
we believe it would have been far better iudg-
ment to have offered from the very first no op-
position to the investigation s,ked The
people sic proud Of General Grant
and his Administration, and confident that it
can afford the most searching exposure The
people do not expect impossibilities, they do not
hold the President responsible for the errors and
inadequate action Ct law makers, who in their
anxiety to be captions and insulting critics like
Senator Upton, are far more likely to convict
themselves Of shameful failure 10 frame the laws
needed for the ebrocStion of the abuses Of the
civil service than 10 iasten the stigma Of admin
istraiive inefhcienoy upon the President and his
eosdj1tors. We all remember the drum and
trumpet speeches OF senStor Sumner in the Sspto .
Domingo war bis great cry, and scanty wool
crusade. which left the President stronger than :
ever with the people. A President ,ha, hiss al ;.
ways urged civil service reform. need not fear
the inquisitOri-l action Of Congress that has
failed to provide the necessary legislation. So :,
ct the doors all Re thrown vide open 70 the :,
whole pack, if they really smell gsme worthy Of :,
their sensitive notes. let no one seek to turn
hem from the scent. their " find IL no, likely ;,
o be anything that the administration reed =,
truggle to conceal History Is simply repeat =,
ng iiself, aud party sore heads" have come to :.
'e as periodical visitation to political orgsniza n;
IONS in power as certain Fostering diseases are -
o the hunsn body that are certainly irritating =.
o the skin, but never endanger life. The party
KIN may look angry, the party heart is all
light '-