The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-02-24
A GOVERNMENT BY PARTIES.

1t is reported that Mr.. Taft will
appoint Mr.. Dickinson, Tennessee
democrat. as Secretary of War. We
think it is mistake. About nom
partisan matters we are not partisan.
We can be good friends and neighbors
with democrats or populists, we can
have the most friendly possible bust
mess and personal relations with them,
but we believe in rendering unto
Caesar the things which are Caesars.
1t is only in limited sense that the
appointment of cabinet minister is
the personal perquisite of the Presi-
dent. In a larger sense it belongs to
che party, and in still larger sense,
to the Nation. The requirements are.
hrst. that the appointee should be a
i'll man. second, that he should be ac-
ceptable TO the party, and third, that
he should be acceptable personally.
1t must be that Mr. Dickinson has
grown to maturity believing that re-
publicanism is wrong. Any other
thought is a reflection upon his hon
esty. If he thought republicanism
was right he should have allied him
self with that party. 1t is the most
charitable view that Mr.. Dickinson
mas believed and still believes, the
principles of republicanism to be un-
sound and not good public policy.
The further fact that he dlsbelieved
in Organism does not change his atti-
Aude towards republicanism.
Mr.. Taft was elected President as
the republican candidate. Given the
same great personal qualities, ability
and attractiveness and he would not
have been elected had he run on any
other ticket. Primarily then it was
the republican party that was elected
ito the Presidency. No part is great
er than the whole. The responsible
ty for successful administration of
the country affairs rests ultimately
with the republican party. A cabinet
minister is required, not only to adj
minister the affairs of his particular
department, but he is expected to adj
wise as to general policies. 1t is in
congruous to ask life long democrat,
no matter what his personal qualities.
ito advise upon and to make effective
the policies of the republican party.
1t is not question of spoils Le-
longing to the victors. If it were a
mere matter of position and salary
and recognition il would make but
little odds. The editor of this paper
lis republican. He could not edit
democratic newspaper. Mr. Dick
linson is democrat, and he is there
fore incompetent to be a republican
cabinet officer.
1t this appointment is intended to
be an inducement to the Solid South,
tits still mistake. If our southern
friends find that they can eat their
cake and have it too. it will be but
human for them to continue cake
diet. If they find that they can vote
the democratic ticket and hold repub-
lican Office there will be no general
exodus to the republican ranks.
If Mr.. Dickinson were a republican
in all save his attitude on the negro
question. it would still be a mistake.
for the republican party is not ready
to repudiate Abraham Lincoln nor any
portion of the constitution of the
United States. Mr.. Taft has. we are
glad to say, expressed himself clearly
along these lines.
We admit that there are precedents.
Other republicans have appointed
democrats to similar positions, but in
no case has such appointment been of
particular value. and to appoint re-
publican to cabinet position is an
offense of which no democratic Presi-
dent has been guilty.
Without the slightest desire to re-
fleet upon Mr.. Dickinson's personal
qualifications we think he should de.
cline such an appointment.