The difference between Republican and Democratic governing and administrative ability . . .

. . . is seen or will be seen in the conduct of the War Department respectively by Mr. Cameron and Mr. Stanton.  And it would be seen in the conduct of all the Executive departments if changes should be made in them.  Mr. Stanton understands this difference – he has learned it from the history of the country – and is therefore appointing only Democrats to the high subordinate positions in his department in place of Republicans removed. – Chicago Times.

This is the way Mr. Lincoln’s liberality and patriotism is met!  What is intended to promote harmony and unite parties in carrying forward the war is construed as an act of necessity – the only way to keep the Government running.  We are the salt of the earth – the governing class, says the Times – we embody all the ability and the virtue extant – Stanton knows this (probably he learned it while in Buchanan’s Cabinet) and is turning out Republicans and putting in Democrats!

We think well of Mr. Stanton and hope much from his Administration of the War Department – not because he is a Democrat, but because he is, as we hope and believe, a true and loyal man, possessing talents and energy, and entirely devoted to the office he now fills.  We care not what changes he makes so that rogues are turned out and honest men put in.  But we doubt very much either Mr. Stanton’s ability or wish to proscribe men for their opinion’s sake and turn out republicans because they are Republicans.

Any exhibition of magnanimity towards the late Democratic party is thrown away – is just about as foolish as the same measures have proven towards the rebels.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1