Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1869 — Federal Patronage. [ARTICLE]

Federal Patronage.

The Indianapolis Journal ai d the Chicago Tribune are quarreling about the attitude of the administration towards the rival political parties of the South; the one claiming that the President favors the radicals, and the other insisting that he is in sympathy with the conservatives. The Journal is positive that the patronage of the • general government was used to aid the Stokes faction in Tenues see, while the Tribune insists that Senter received its help. In onr opinion the Washington government has no business interfering with elections. It is just as wrong for the President or his cabinet to buy votes with official patronage as it is for others to bity them with money. This interference of federal officers with the rights, privileges and duties of the people is contrary to the genius of democracy, is subversive of good government, is dangerous to the peace of the country, corrupts the ballot, strikes at the liberty of the masses, and instead of being a matter of boast should be frowned upon by all good and patriotic men. These journals should be ashamed to uphold such corruption, and if they would be party leaders they will have better success in gaining the confidence of honest men if they would denounce Corruption instead of boasting its assistance. As far as the truth of the matter is concerned, wc doubt very much there being a shadow of it. The simple fact that both parties claim to be the favorite is strong presumptive evidence that neither has had any conspicuous favors shown it.