Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-02-16

We are not surprised that there is disSet-
islaction with the administration of Grant
and Il growing opposition to his renomina-
ton. 1t is impossible for the President to
suit everybody and he his almos, sure 10
offend powerful men and interests, by his
appointments to Office The opposition now
existing is largely the result Of this dis
position of patronage. While we think that
Grant has made a mistake in his manage
ment Of the New York quarrel, yet ii is
still apparent that the Fcnton opposition
grows out of disappointment connected
with the distribution of official lavors and
not out Of disapproval of the general policy
Of the administration. This is also true OF
the Missouri and Western opposition.
Grant has not managed the patronage Of his
Office wisely and this has offended leading
men and their followers. With the cXcep-
ton Of the san Domingo project, there has
been little or no compliant against the
policy of the administration. The admin
istratlon has been great success upon the
question Of the finances, the Alabama con-
trovefsy and the Indians and it has
promptly responded to the wishes of the
republican party in its treatment of the
Southern States and the Mormon problem.
candid survey Of the grounds of opposi-
ton to Grant, will show, that, for the most
part, the general principles Of his admins
tralOn are not assailed and that no charge
is made against its fidelity to the policy
and pledges of the republican party. Leay-
ing out the San Domingo dispute, neither
Sumner, nor Schurz, nor Trumbull, nor
Feutcn, nor Greeley, have complained that
Grant has violated he principles of the re-
publican party or failed to cooperate with
the representatives, Of the people in every
essential effort for the general peace and
prosperity. There has been substantial
harmony and concord between the Presi-
dent and the republican party, with the ex-
ception of San Domingo and the distribu-
ton of the official patronage. The Presi-
| dent accepted the decision Of Congress on
| the San Domingo question and this differ
once is ended, leaving only the question OF
| patronage to create and continue dispute
and distraction.
Substantially then, the opposition to
Grant is quarrel about patronage, about
offices and this is quarrel which seems to
be unavoidable. Patronage has been the
curse of all the Presidents Of our history
and will continue TO torment and distract
Presidents and parties until some perma-
nent reform IS made in the Civil Service
Lincoln suffered from this same cause, and
his denomination encountered the same
opposition which now assails Grant. Now
it is because this opposition is a fight about
the offices and not an impeachment o
Grants republican fidelity or executive
ability, that the people are so Indifferent
about it. This opposition is not move
mcnt of the people, but of the politicians
not an effort to preserve the principles o
the party but an effort to secure the patron
age of the government; not desire to ac
compish u change for the better in the gen
era conduct of public officers but a chang
of men who occupy the offices in the gift o
the executive. This is obvious to all in
tcligent observers. In New York, Mis-
souri,, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Ohio, The
opposition is largely composed Of disap
pointed and disgruntled republicans. ST
far, the people have been almost totally in