Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-11

Success she Test Of Capaeitys
The qualifications Of individuals who are
being called by the Government at the pres
ent time to places Of great responsibility, are
undergoing good deal Of wen directed
scrutiny, and arc the subject OF much timely
and earnest discussion. We think We see
indications that the present administration is
largely influenced BY the general sentiment
that competency and honesty, and not simply
party services or credentials, should be invari-
ably the test ofs mans fitness forpublic office.
It certainly has full opportunity at present,
to introduce much needed reform, as to the
general character Of appointments made by
its authority. Relieved of its partisan char
acter and obligations, by the dissOlving Of
all party lines throughout the North it viii
be at liberty to look over the whole country,
and bring 10 its aid the best talent which the
public service can command. There viii be
difficulty in accomplishing this, even where
the best intentions prevail, so long as the
simple recommendations only Of mans
friends and fellow citizens, as to his general
capacity, are relied upon solely. These are
seldom reliable, unless they enbody faots-as
to opinions they are Of little value-faets,
and not opinions, are the best credentials of
any man. Let him show the results of his
own business; the balance sheet OF bis own
private affairs--for success is the test Of ca
pacity. The well-worn proverb, that facts
speak 10 lder than words, affords us sound
a rule for measuring the capacity Of men, as
it does for detecting their motives and de.
Gliding upon their characters. Whichever a
man is brought 10 trial at the bar Of public
opinion, we inquire what has be done? If
on the other hand be is q candidate for public
favors and responsibilities, we inquire, what
has he accomplished How has he been oc-
cupied, and to what account Has be given
any evidence in the sphere in which he has
been employed. that be has ability to distiz-
guish himself in the one to which he Rspires
We are thus in the habit of judging bf mems
capacity for the duties of one occupation, by
their general conduct and success in another.
The analogy is sound, and we think should
furnish a safe and valuable rule in Judging
Of the capabilities of men for places Of pub
lie trust. The rule of course has lis exceP-
tions. It need not be infallible in order to be
sound and practicable, for such purpose as
we have indicated.
At the present time, when so large num-
Der of able and practical men are needed for
the public service, both civil and military )
and especially when there is such press Of
applications from all quarters, with little
reference to competency or any actual expe-
rience in the duties to be discharged, we
think better rale cannot be adopted, than
to select such men as have shown capacity in
the sphere in which they haye been occupied
those, who in their own private affairs,
have earned the reputation of being honor
able, enterprising and successful business
men. Such men, who have built up for
themselves fortune and a good name,
through a long course of successful business,
afford US the best guarantee that as public
servants, they will exhibit skill and integrity
in their duties.
Their appointment by the Executive, or
their election by the people, viii inspire pub
lie confidence at home, and secure respect
abroad; it viii make sslltary impression
upoz those who by reasonable practices are
attempting to divide and ruin the nation
John @. Fremont is pre-emiaently such a
man. The great leader on the trail OF west
ern civilization, the successful soldier, and
the hero of the golden fleece. With the
genius of Jason, and the touch Of Midas, he
steps forth into the field Of his country'sper-
lis with The prestige OF success. Bis creden-
tials lie in life full Of heroic patriotism and
prosperous enterprise. His career eYirces a
large, active, and comprehensive mind-a
mind capable Of creating and controlling
great resources, and of welding them on g
broad and liberal scale. His character ss
illustrated in his life, is now the admiration
of his countrymen. BE is our highest style
of representative men. All loyal hearts beat
with renewed confidence and courage when
such men assume the guidance Ofpublic af-
fairs in times Of peril. Their orders and pro-
clamations strike responses out Of the hearts
of the people, such as true genius or success
ful heroism can only elicit Would that we
had more such men-self-made and self-re-
liant-as Fremont and Mcclellan. Men Of
genius, enterprise, and I've force; men whose
past history is both prophetic and illdstra-
tive Of their future career.
Our Union candidate for Governor in this
state-the Hon, David Tod-ss another man
to whom We may refer, as furnishing a test
Of his capacity for responsible public duties,
in life of successful and honorable business
enterprise. A good fnancier, an able pol
itician, every inch a patriot, with deEel-
Opment Of frnRess and combativeness that
gives no hope to treason, ripe in age and ex
Perience, be will bringto the guberuatorial
chair fine administrative abilities, and an
honest and loyal heart as an offering to his
country. The instincts of the people in
times like these turn to such men, and they
are seldom disappointed in their hopes, for
they have a guarantee in their lives that
whatever Is entrusted to their capacity and
integrity, is neither squsndered or betrayed.
There Is talent enough in the county to be
had for the asking, and it is great pity-a
national misfortune-that so rany respon-
Sible position should be held by Incompetent
and unsuccessful professional placs-hunters.