Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-01-26
POLITICAL MENDICANCY.

- POLITICAL MENDICANCY.
We had presented to our sight printed
petition, the character OF which brings to mind
Jshs Rapdolph's exclamation. concerning our
representation ALAS poor Maryland "
OF her two Senators 10 Congress. !eIeoted BY
Unionist Assemblies, one is a champion of the
eppositiou-the other appreciates so lightly
she dignity Of his high Office, as to come be-
FIRE the people. in jorn'a paupert'. asking
their signatures to petition for his appoint
msut 80 Collector of Customs at the port Of
Baltimore. .-.
1t is clai,ned 40 IN additional honor. A
.Senstor who could 30 regard it is unworthy Of
bis exalted trust His willingness to barter
away 4 representative Office Of the States be-
ssowment, for more lucrative one at the
hands Of the President, proves bis unftness
for either. Such are the tricks Of trading
politicians, not the aims Of honorable States
men.
The doctrine Of "rotation in Office" has
been discussed ever since Jackson's day. and
has hitherto received but little favor at the
hands Of the party to which Governor Hicks
belonged. 1t was never waged or applied by
the Democrats that We know Of as an inter-
party measure for the benefit of factions. 1t
was strictly aparty measure, which demanded
she exclusion Of opponents to make room for
friends. Yet We find, for the first time in
she history Of our politics. a principle at
tempted to be applied in this State. which can
not prove otherwise than disastrous to any
party which adopts it. 1t exhibits a want Of
political ssgaeisy. Nothing is more certain.
than that when men are led to expect tho
came treatment at the hands Of political friends
snd enemies, they will either be parslysed
into indifference or form separate faction.
The place Governor Hicks seeks. is accept
ably filed at this time by en- unconditional
Unionists, whose record will bear scrutiny.
On no demand Of tho Government or Of
patriotism has his conduct occasoned US to
write " too late" He has not ouly struck
while the iron was hot, but he has helped to
heat it by striking. We wish We could say
n much for Governor Hicks. OF This devoted
patriotism as well as his support to emancipa-
zion. We can only say we know not bow true
shcy may be, we only know that they were
hrdy.
The petition before us invites our attention
1t may have been uuintentionslly done but the
petition falsifes the record of Thomas IIoli-
day Hicks As we have great regard for
the truth Of history. and Governor Hicks is a
historical character. whose notable dispatches
and letters to Gen. Butler and the Presiden,
in April, 1861, are already incorporated into
the various histories Of the Great Rebellion,
We propose to quote from bis petition the
reasons assigned for his appointment. and con-
irast them with the facts a. patent upon the
face Of bis own official papers.
The petition says " his firm and steadfast
adherence to the cause Of the Union from the
6rst outbreak Of the Rebellion. has eadeared
him to the loyal people throughout the country
His loyalty and devotion to tho Union has
stood the test of the maddened violence of a
frsn.ied mob. No threats or temptations
could swerve him from bis duty.
I" In view Of his unwavering support Of the
administration. and his earnest advocacy of
the Free Constitution Of our State, the success
OF which is due mainly to tho exertions of bis
friends and those who have acted with him in
The recent canvass. we claim for him the honor
Of this appointment, feeling well assured thai,
1t will meet with the appreciation of eight
tsnths of the Union party of Marylond."
We pause. The conflict of emotions caused
by the. aforsgoing recital and our knowledge
OF the facts makes US gasp for breath, This
il what may DO called "cu.ting it fat"
When and wbere were these virtues eshibi-
tsdf Was that Ga firm and steadfast ad-
herenoe to the cause Of tho Union" which
caused him, as G Governor of the State, tu gall
40 extra session Of VIGOROUSLY 6cces,ion
Legislature. and addressed to them in his
massage Of April 25th. tho following Ian
suags:
Believing it to DO the design of the Ad-
"ninistratien. (why not Government y to
b''pass ossr our soil troops for the defence Of
: '.,shs city Of Washington. and fearing that
=" the passags Of such troops would excite our
''pscpls and provoke collision. la6ored earn
- sstly to indxes the Presidens to forego his
~p~Pas." Whyi What for Was this the
loyalty and devotion to the Uuion which
'stood the test of the maddened violence of
frisusisd mob r There was no other way
by which Washington could BE- reinforced
Did Gsrcruor Hicks wish il to be reinforced !
He says. " I waited upon him (ths President)
in person. and urged the Importance Of my
request. I subsequently communicated With
him and his cabine. BY special dispatches.
~sirsafi.S an ebdsdommen:' Of thesr dssigns.
To oil my requests ] could get bat the reply
!" thas Wsshingtoa vas threatened with at
sssk--th.s the government had resolved to
A-dbsd it--thas thsrs was no other way Of OBJ
afAAg sEssw sAss SyElnfsg tAss ersr The
- sfsfIrasst 81 ,s9ss 11'