Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-07-20
The Pre,Ideut's order, Again.

We do not quite agree with ~ u. '"
in his understanding of the Presidents order.
Interpreted by its terms and the instructions
issued under it, it is not confined to cases OIL
"of6eious and offensive interference" on the
mart of otfceholders The order permits no
officer of the government, to take any part
in the management of political caucuses,
conventions, or campaigns. o. Il. W. ad-
mits that there is no control of politics by
federal officials in Vermont. We will now
add that we do not know of a case, and We
do not believe o. G. W. knows OF one, IN
which Republican Administration has
taxed its ofdceholders, to perpetuate ITSELF
In reply to some Of our correspondent $
queries, we say that while the dignity OF the
President does not permit him to take the
stump, or ''swipg round the circle" he does
ningle in politics, and with directness and
power such as is exercised by no other clti-
zen. An instance of this is his securing the
Withdraw wal of Gen Garfield as candidate for
United States Senator in Ohio, and his making
of his friend Stanley Matthews, Senator. As
we look at this matter, the federal oihclai
is, in the discharge of his official duties TO
know no distinction Of party. The postmas-
ter, for instance, must serve Democrats a.
faithfully and assiduously as Republicans, IN
all that pertains to his postal duties. But
he is also an American citizen; and we
know of no rule or consideration which re
ouires the official, from the smallest pOstmas-
ter up to the chief magistrate, to forget the
existence Of parties, or to ignore his connec-
ton with and care for the interests OF his
own party. 80. G. W." evidently consid-
ers parties of no account-perhaps considers
them worse than useless institutions. Inc
President, We venture to believe, does not
agree with him NJ. Hayes cannot be so
foolish as to suppose that he can sustain him
self without organized support--that Is
without party Mt his back. The bare ap-
nroyal of hundreds of thousands of excellent
individuals will avail no more against the
organized opposition to his administration
than would the shouts of q disorganlzed
crowd, against the bayonets OF an army.
If there is no organization OF men OF sound
principles and worthy purposes. the organ
lied ignorance, bad principle, and bad pur-
pose of the country will control the Gov
eminent and the nation. If the Republican
party is not in the main-there are few alb
solutely perfect individuals; and being COM
posed of imperfect morsalS, the party can
not be perfect-but if, in the MAN,
and as opposed to the Demo-
cratic party, it is not the party
of honesty, intelligence, patriotism,
economy and reform. let it go down
II it is, as a whole, though coming short OF
what it might and should De, the good party
as against the bad party-the organization OF
men of better principles and purposes against
the organization of men of bad principles
and practices, let it be sustained, and let
every good man do his utmost to purify and
elevate il So much at least is certain-the
man, be he President or private citizen, who
undertakes to break down such an organiza-
ton, before he sees clearly how better one
is to take its place, accepts heavy response
biity. A great party is not built mp in a
day. The Democratic party is now what it
has always been. strong, well organized.
unprincipled party, wandering to the ignor-
ance. superstition, race and class prejudice,
aud other debasing qualities of the people,
If it once regaiDs control of the country, it
will give o. G. W. and every other other
good, fair and intelligent man, ample reason
for sorrow over its success. We do not be-
lieye that the President desires such
a change, or thinks of exchanging
Republican for Democratic support.
He is Republican, and he does not mean
to 60 back on his party. We trust that he
is as wise as he is honest of purpose that
be sees exactly where he is coming out; and
that he and his advisers in attempting to
mend the machine will not so demoralize it
that it will no longer work. That would be
serious calamity tor, in our humble opinion,
if the Republican party goes under, the spoils
Democracy will hold control Of the govern
ment for at least twenty years thereafter,
and can then probably be dislodged only by
some great national CONFUSION, such as
placed the Republican party in power.