Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 1&7
that no attention must be paid to it and that his
name was only signed to the letter for buncombe.
The apology for this duplicity and treachery is political
necessity. He cannot afford to make a political
enemy. He would doubtless very gladly give
every voter in his district an office, but the voters
are too many and the offices too few. He has
two cats in his room and only one mouse in his
closet. Hence, while he freely signs your papers
he says to the heads of the departments, ' Pay no
attention to my recommendations unless I personally
accompany the applicant.'
"In this pre-eminently deceitful and treacherous
atmosphere, promises even on paper do not
amount to much. Everybody is fed and being fed
upon great expectations and golden promises, and
since the diet is less than dog cheap, nobody fails
of a full supply.
" If you want any office and want help to get it,
everybody will cheerfully promise to help you.
Your member of Congress will do what he can
for you. Your senator will do what he can for
you. Your whole delegation will do what they
can for you. The heads of various departments
will do what they can for you, and even the president
of the United States, who does not permit
himself generally to interfere in the matter of
departmental appointment, will do what; he can
for you,