New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-09
CLERICAL REFORM IN THE CAPT. Al

CLERICAL REFORM IN The C1PiI al.
Virtue is looking up in Washington. We do not
il is true and quite panied to record, hear
Of any novel and stern adoption Of good resolutions at
the White House, although in our time, that edifce
has been much whittier than is at present in spite Of
the persistent struggles Of the President to range him
self upon the side of purity truth and charity When
he has determined to declare in favor Of special and
particular and unmtgated morality, be is hardly so
modest as not to advertise bis intention, and
we shall probably hear of it, either by proc.
lamation or through a speech from the Off
ciai loor.steps. Meanwhile we are ehraplured TO
learn that thS Secretaries "have under consideration
the subject Of im1oraliy among the employees of their
several departments, aud have resolved to adopt eec
! tua measures TO arrest this growing evil" Special
detectives we are assured, have been detailed Young
! gentlemen found fighting the tiger will be pushed
from their stools without 4 morsel of mercy. Scribes
discovered visiting paphan edifces, will be kicked out
Of the public buildings Clerks running in debt to
their taioS and landadies will be instantaneousy
guiotined. Any servant Of the State, lin any way
connected with matters Of an unlawful or dsgracel
character will be driven TO perambuate the fatal
plank. There Is TO be an end Of all reprehensble
practices" Thin would be unspeakabIy salts.
factory, if there were any rule by which
we could determine whst is considered by
the prrsen; Administration 10 be unlawful" q; dis
graceful" or "reprehensiblc." Morality is % l.ttlo
conventional. In some countries it is held to be
highly meriiorious action for a man to ,rangle hs
superannuated grandfather; in Sparta the crime wa
not in stealing but in being found out; and tho
choeric words Of captains are fat blasphemy in the
mouths Of private soldiers. But we would make 10
needless objection. We know very well that there is
one law for the high and mighty and another Cor the
lowy and weak. Lofty place has its privileges, and
may indulge in Qualifications forbidden to the under
orders Theholder Of position from which he can be
promptly dismissed must be cauous a little rreg-
ularity those who are upon a frmer footing b not
Of the least consequence. and il it We're what you
going 10 do about il Might may not be right, Int it
usually acts if were and in small matters, this
easy going, jolly old world takes small heed Of little
inconsistencies II will be of no use at all for a
wrscbed clerk, cSllared by a remorseless detective,
in the very act Of going into coming out Of house
OF evil repute 10 plead that the Hon. Mr. So.and-So,
Of such Department, sometimes strays over the
tabooed threshold. Such culprts, if they will take
our advice will not adopt that line of defense, for in
no other way can they so finally aud fatally floor
themselves They had far better plead "insanity,"
and throw themselves upon the mercy of their Rhada-
manthus, whoever he may be.
II is very far from our intention to cast single
drop of cold water upon any scheme for the moral re-
form of the City of Washingtou for whatever may be
done, We hardly fancy that it will be converted into
o New-Jerusaem in our time. But there are other
sins and shames as we'll those against which the
Heads of Department have now been laid together.
1t is not reputable to game, but neither is il reputable
to sell ones political principles for of pottage
However palatable il may be. 1t is discreditabe to
frequent bagnos, but there is a prostitution Of the
soul we'll as of the body. 1t is disgracelul not to
pay ones tailor but il is to forget the debt
which every man owes TO bis country. There
5 no immortality so utterly mean and loathsOme,
none so dangerous TO the Republic none abhorred
by all good and intelligent citizens as that which is
involved in the surrender Of principles and opinions
at the beck aud call of acous leaders, who using
the. public places and the public purse to promote
their private fortunes or to save themselves from
personal ignomny and the stern rebuke of the whole
body polite. There are transactions sometimes in the
cabinets OF great officers OF state, which the keepers
Of roulette tables and the cashiers OF fare
blush 10 be engaged IN. III the Administration has
taken possession Of the minds and bodies Of its scriy
.neu it might, at least leave them their souls to be
saved or to be lost without its meddlesome in.
reference II il has done its worst to transform
men into creeping orouching and sycophantc para.
sites, it is mere clumsy and hypOcritcal sectaton
TO profess such q sudden Solicitude for their minor
morals. IT, as suspect it is the worst paid clubs
who will be the most closely watched by the Mr.
Buckets of Washington, may We not inquire whether
it is reasonable in the Heads of Departments to ey-
pect all the cardinal virtues for 81 oon or $4,000 p,r