National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-16
Thrifty Dana.

A few days since we made a suggestion
in behalf of party harmony which does
not yet seem to have met with favor in
the desired quarter 1t was that Charles
A. Dana, of the New York Sun, be ap-
pointed collector of the port of New
York. 1t may be that the appointing
power has doubts as to Mr.. Dana's wishes
in the premises. With view to remov-
ing all question, we reproduce his beg
ging letter to President Johnson, written
in 1865, wherein he proclaims his merits
as well as his desires. 1t is dated at
Chicago, and is in the following words:
DANAs LETTER TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON.
DEAR SIR: Some of my friends in the New York
delegation in Congress want me to be collector of
New York. shall be glad TO have that Office, and
accordingly address myself direct TO YOU. have
been resident OF New York city for nearly twenty
years, till a few months since, when I came here
on leaving the War Department. have been ab-
sentso as 10 be free from all Identification with
the political factions and personal controversies
by which the Union party there had
been much divided. believe that there is no
person of any prominence in the party whose ap-
polntment would give greater general Satisfaction
than mine Should you be disposed SO far to en-
tertain the idea as to wish for information con-
cerning my capacity TO administer the office, there
is no one who can Judge better to that than Mr.
Stanton Let me add that am myself confident
of performing the duties, should they be intrusted
to me- to the advantage of the public service and
to your entire satisfaction. 1 am, with profound
respect your faithful servant
CHARLES A. DANA.
As We remarked in former article,
this letter shows just what Dana would
like. "Glad" was his word! "I shall be
glad to have that Office" Oh, cruel, cruel
was the heart that could resist such an
appeal Then, so modest: "No person of
any prominence whose appointment
would give greater general satisfaction
than minei'' Then, if the President did
not believe he would make a good col
lector, just let him ask Mr.. Stanton.
Besides, he DANA was himself "conti-
dent Of being the very man for the place.
This letter clearly shows that its writer
is business man. There is no nonsense
about him. When he wants a thing he
wants it. The refusal his beseeching
letter met with seems to have dashed his
confidence, and he did not try the same
method again. Perhaps the peculiar fla
vor impaired TO the Sun has been in
tended to aid him in the same direction.
The organ-grinder who, being offered
sixpence, refused it, saying, " knows the
wally of peace and Quietness; [ never
moves on for less than shillin'," may
have furnished Dana his policy in life.
Why may he not wish to be understood
as saying, II never keep civil for less
than collcctorship?"
These thoughts are thrown out for what
they are worth. We have not the pleas
ure of Mr.. Dana's acquaintance, but we
admire his self-reliance and his cheek,
and have desire to see these sterling
virtues rewarded. If President Hayes
would only appoint him it would be " SO
nice" Everybody would be mad. And
then if General Garfield should remove
him he could resume his delightful per-
sonation of Thersites, and make the air
thick with his imprecations. 1t seems to
us that never before has the President
had so fine an opportunity TO fill an i'm
portant Office regardless of the wishes of
politiciaIs-and of all other people.