Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-06
elf which appeared in the Portland Adj

self which appeared in the Portland Adj
vertiser Of the Srd inst. This announce.
ment Is no surprise to anybody in the
Kennebec valley acquainted with Mr..
Lang. nor is there any difficulty in tracing
his disafection to its cause.
In his letter Mr.. Lang expatiates upon
the selfshness the republican:party, the
Cnsarism and nepotism of President Grant.
the inefficiency of Congress, and espec~
tally does he dwell upon the distribution
of the public offices and the corruption
and unfairness thereto appertaining.
There is a word at the outset about labor
and business, but the chief part Of the let
ter is abuse of the President and Congress
and whining about the offices. In part it
is very faint echo Of Mr.. Summers speech
against the President. and what is not bor-
rowed from that source is too evidently
inspired by other feelings than those of
candor and justice to deceive even the
casual reader.
Mr.. Lang's comparison of the President
TO tyrant, Cesar, is peculiarly unfor-
tunate for him. Was it like Cesar to
appoint Mr.. Lang's own father to aid in
carrying out the humane policy, adopted
by the President toward the Indians
Would tyrant favor such policy
Would ty-ant select as his agents men
like Mr.. John d. Lang, members of the
society of Friends Let Mr. Lang recon-
tons OF the President rs tyrant. If this
is Crsarsm we should like to know it. The
President may have made some unworthy
appointments if he has not he has been
more fortunate than any other President
we have had, or any we shall have while
the nation stands. Such things are una
voidabe. Even a school district or a town
may choose bad officer, and if the Presi-
dent sometimes makes wrong appoint
ment it is not surprising nor does 1t prove
that he is corrupt, or Caesar. The adj
ministraton of President Grant should be
credited with the first attempt since the
days of Jackson to reform the method of
appointments to civil office, but Mr.. Lang
forgets that. He might have stated that
reform has been recommended by the
President and is now being carried out in
this very matter He could have said
that the number of officers have been
greatly reduced during the term of Presi-
dent Grant and the efficiency of the SER
vice increased. but it did not accord with
the purpose or feelings of Mr. Lang to re-
peat such facts. He could have stated
with equal truth that through the efforts OF
our members in Congress and the coop
Grafton of other republican members great
advantages We're secured at the late SEES
sion of Congress for the business interests
Of Maine, but this he did not do.
The truth of the matter is, and we re-
greet it for his sake. that Mr.. Lang has al
lowed private feeling and disappointment
to take possession of his judgment and
lead him to abandon his principles and
party. 1t is no secret wherever Mr.. Lang
is known and associates that his
! grievance is private. His own mouth has
been proclaiming it for several months,
long before the Cincinnati convention was
thought of 1t is not pleasant task for
us to make such q statement in this pub
lie manner, but it is proper that the facts
should be known. Mr.. Lang has been
supported by the republicans of Kenne-
bee when his judgement was uncloudcd
by passion, but for his present conrse
there will be only regret among them and
none will follow into the camp of the
enemy