The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-08
An Earlier and Better Model for the Repub
lic8n Party.

From the New York Herald.
| The opponents of the present policy of the
republican party in Congress fall back upon
some of the worst abuses which prevailed un-
der the administration of President Buchanan,
a quarter of a century ago, as a warrant for the
heinous endeavor of their so-called Congress
slonal Committee to assess the executive Off
GERS and employees of the federal government
for republican campaign expenses in the COM
ing elecuons. Regardless that these abuses
we're held up to execration by their own lead
ers at that time, and that the exposure of them
IN the celebrated report of the Covode Com
mittee in 1859 was one of the most persuasive
and powerful republican campaign documents
in the political CANVASS which resulted IN the
election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency
they foolishly invite the same public verdict
of condemnation of themselves IN 1882 which
was pronounced by the people against the
democratic party in 1860.
While they are ransaCklng the history OF
the government of the United States for pre-
cedents concerning political assessments we
refer them to one which condemns their prac
tees with more radical language than any we
have hitherto employed. We mean the letter
addressed by Daniel Webster, secretary OF
state by order OF President Harrison, to the
heads of all the executive departments, in
March, 1S41, which not merely denounced the
political assessments of federal officers Tor
election expenses as great abuse" as
partisan interference" with the freedom Of
elections" and as Inconsistent with the spirit
of the constitution and the duties of public
agents acting under it," but even declared
that the President would regard 1.-THE payment
of any contribution or assessment on salaries
or official compensation for party or election
purposes" rs a sufficient cause for removal
a. Ma tIn Oh
sess he condemned but also those who should
respond-not only the republican Congress
siOnal Committee of Allison and Hale and
IIubbell and Robson, but also every custom
house officer postmaster, department employe
or hlrelhng OF the federal government whatso-
ever who pays cent In answer to the demands
or solicitations of that committee.
Here is the document IN full and no worthler
example tor a circular letter by Secretary
Frelinghuysen to the heads of the departments
of the federal government, by direction OF
President Arthur, under the present crcum-
Stances, could be selected. In the early days
OF the republican party its orators and leaders
were fond of referring to what they called the
doctrines of the Fathers of the kepubllc.'
Here Is a chance to prove whether the tondness
Is genuine or Is a sham. Here is a model set
by one of the greatest of the early statesmen of
America in contrast to the bad precedent of
President Buchanan's later time
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, March 20, 1871.
To tie honorable Thomas ETiDg, Secretary Of
the Treasury:
| SIR:-The President is of the opinion that
It is a great abuse to bring the patronage of
the general government into conflict with the
freedom of elections, and that this abuse ought
to be corrected wherever 1t may have been
permitted TO exist, and TO be prevented for the
future.
He therefore directs that information be
given to all officers and agents in your depart
ment OF the public service that partisan inter
ference in the popular elections. whether of
state officers or of officers of the 0ederaD gov
ernment and for whomsoever and against
whomsoever it may be exercised, or the pay
meat of any contribution or assessment on Sdtd
ries or official compensation for party or election
purposes, will be regarded by HIM rs cause for
removal.
1t is not intended by him that any officer
shall be restrained in the free and proper
expression and maintenance of his opinions
respecting public men and public measures or
In the exercise TO the fullest degree Of the con
stitutional right of suffrage. But persons en-
ployed under the government and paid for
their services out of the public treasury are
not expected to take an active or officious part
in attempts TO influence the minds or votes Of
others, such conduct beng deemed inconsist
ent with the spirit OF the constitution and the
duties If public ageets acting under It, and the
president IS resolved, so tar as depends upon
him, that while the exercise of the elective
franchise by the people shall be free from un.
due influence of official station and authority
opinion shall also be free among the officers
and agents of the government
Similar letters have been addressed to other
heads Of departments.
have the honor to be, sir, your obedient
servant, DANIEL WEBSTER
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