Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-11-06
GOOD AUTHORITY.


cause of great impatience on the part OF
the Democratic party. The same thing
was said of Jefferson. II is said that the
election of Democratic President meant
a clean sweep in Federal offices. The
same thing was said in 1901. Every
Democrat knows what the course of the
Administration has been in regard to APP
pointments to office and in regard to
removals from Office. 1t is also
known what constitutes an offensive par
tsan. In view OF the complaints against
the Administration and the theories upon
which they are made, we desire to call
the attention of all to the views of Thomas
Jefferson on these matters, and ask
them to compare things then with things
now; and after such comparison, we ask
il the names and dates in Jefferson's
letters were changed to suit the year 1885,
if these letters would not accurately and
truthfully describe the condition of affairs
under President Cleveland?
On the 26th day of August, 1901, Jeffer-
son wrote, from Monticello, to Levi Lin
coin, as follows:
l had foreseen, years ago, that
the first Republican President who should
come into Office after all the places in the
Government had become exclusively occu-
pied by Federalists, would have dreadful
operation to perform. That the Republic
ans would consent to n continuation of
everything in Federal hands, was not to be
expected, because neither just nor poll
n, Nl,n,, 10. ln,rz
of an executioner, that of looping off.
cannot say that it has worked harder than
expected. You know the moderation of our
views in this business, and that we all con-
CURED in them. We determined to proceed
with deliberation. This produced impa-
thence in the Republicans, and belief wa
meant to do nothing. Some occasion of
public explanation was eagerly desired,
when the New Haven remonstrance offered
us that occasion. y
am satisfied that the heaping of abuse
on me, personally, has been with the design
and the hope of provoking me to make a
general sweep of all Federalists out of office.
But as 1 have carried no passion into the
execution of this disagreeable duty, shall
suffer none to be excited The clamor which
remove one more, nor deter me from remov-
ing one less, than if not word had been
said on the subject.
We ask if the situation in which Cleve-
land was placed after twenty-four years
of Republican rule is not almost identical
with that in which Jefferson was placed
after twelve years of Federalist rule? JEFF
ferson plainly foresaw the great difficulty
attendant upon all the Government
offices being in the hands OF the Federal
lists and Cleveland had the same diff
Guilty to contend with.
On October %, 1902, Jefferson wrote,
from Washington, to Levi Lincoln, in
these terms:
Their bitterness increases with their des-
peration. l shall take no other re-
venge, than, by steady pursuit of economy
and peace, and by the establishment of Re-
publican principles in substance and in
form, to sink Federalism into an abyss
from which there shall be no resurrection
for it.. still think our original idea as to
office is best that is, to depend, for the
obtaining n just participation, ON deaths
designations and delinquencies. This will
least affect the tranquility of the people
and prevent their giving in to the suggestion
of our enemies, that ours has been a contest
for office, not for principle. This is rather a
slow operation, but it is sure if we pursue it
steadily, which, however, has not beer
done with the undertaking resolution could
have wished. To these means of obtaining
just share in the transaction of the public
business, shall be added one other. to-wit
removal for electioneering activity, or open
and industrious opposition to the principles
OF the present Government, legislative and
executive. Every officer of the Government
may vote at elections according to his con.
science; but we should betray the cause
committed to our care. were we to permit
the influence of official patronage to be used
to overthrow that cause.
We would ask whether the contest o
1884 was for principle or for Office? Nc
doubt many said that Jetfersons Democ.
racy was personal, and cited his resolu.
ton to adhere to his rule for making APP
pointments as proof of this assertion, the
same as Cleveland's resolution to do as
he pledged himself to do is cited as an
evidence against his Democracy.
In letter dated Washington, Nov. s.
1902, Jefferson wrote to William Judd as
follows:
81 Exercisine
that discretion which the Constitution has
contided to me in the choice of public agents
have been sensible, ON the-one hand, of the
Justice done to those who have been system
atically excluded from the service of theil
country, and attentive, ON the other, tc
restore justice in such way as might least
affect the sympathies and the tranquility OF
the public mind. Deaths, designations, de
inquencies, malignant and active opposition
to the order of things established by the will
of the nation, will, it is believed, within
moderate space of time, make room for
just participation i'll the management of the
public affairs; and that being once effected
future changes at the helm will be viewed
with tranquility by those in subordinate
station.
We invite special attention to the fol
lowing letter written to John Page from
Washington, July II, 1907 as being the
best exposition of what constitutes ofIens
i've partisanship and the reason for re,
moving offensive partisans:
In appointments to public offices of mere
profit, L have ever considered faithful
service in either our first or second reyolu-
tion as giving preference of claim, and that
appointments on that principle would CRAFTY
the public, and strengthen that confidence SC
necessary to enable the executive to direct
the whole public force to the best advantage
OF the nation. On this subject,
have often expressed the principles ON which
l act, with wish that they might be under
stood by the Federalists in office. L have
never removed man merely because he was
Federallst: have never wished them to
give q vote at an election, but according "a
their own wishes But as no government conld
discharge It's duties to the best advantage
of its citizens, If its agents We're in a regular
course of thwarting instead of executing ali
its measures, and were EMPLOYING the
patronage and influence of their office
against the government and its measures.
have only requested they would be quiet