Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-11-30

right with the strictest business
practice of men, and to hold the lat
ter responsible for variations He
thinks the editor has violated none
of the strictest business rules and
practices of the country as followed
out in the civil, military, ecclesiasti
cal and other depart nents of life
aud that the conduct of Cover in his
consular action thus far is not censur-
able, being no departure from the
highest standard of business practice
The article is ably written, and de-
signed in view of educating the pub
he mind 10 right principles
Cover and His Consulship-His Aecus-
ers-Why, What Law Hath
he Violated?
Mr.. Cover and his accusers have
raised issues for discussion, from
which have sprung several lateras
involving certain business practices,
laws of trade, morality, and good cit
izenship.
lsit morally right for person ap-
pointed to an office, to resign the
same with a view to accepting bet
ter one or in other words, is official
promotion honorable? The fact of
Mr.. Covers departure for Fayal, at
no distant day, for the purpose of
taking possession of the office Of
Consul, must forever falsify the assor-
ton that he had sold out his consul
ate, and consequently needs no argu-
ment in proof of the contrary.
The question demanding present
solution is simply this Can an off
Ger rightfully resign his office for the
purpose of accepting better one
1t is certainly not immoral to resign,
if the person resigping is actuated
by proper motives in so doing. |
anticipate the remark that to resign
Tor money, or in common parlance,
to "sell out" is not a proper motive,
Very true, and Mr.. Cover, himself,
says that such course would be dis
honorable to himself, his friends and
his country: But he further adiudi-
Gates his own case, by saying that it
would not be dishonorable 70 resign,
or signify willingness so to do, in
view of accepting better appoint
ment, claiming that official promo
ton is not dishonorable.
In his published statements he
substantially says, that upon certain
conditions, deemed honorable by
himself, Hon. Moses H. Grinnell,
Collector Of the Port of New York,
and Secretary Fish, Member of the
Cabinet, (both holding first class po-
sitlons in the Government,) he did
accept terms of delay in going to
Fayal, the parties above named SO
consenting, and knowing the condi-
tons; the delay being granted in
view of some other appointment be-
ing secured, more acceptable to Mr..
Cover; the same to be assigned to
him as a final condition that he shall
resign the office he now holds. Col
lector Grinnell's letter to Mr.. Carpen-
ter, as published in the Herald, cor
roborates these statements. The
consent of Secretary Fish, for a tenn
porary delay, could not have been
secured except for satisfactory rea-
sons, and only on the application of
some prominent officer OF the Govern
ment. Mr.. Cover OF himself could
in no wise have procured the Secrc-
tary's consent for such delay, as tho
consulate laws are extremely strict
and exactlng. Collector Grinnell
positively declares that ''n0 diSh0nor-
able or underhanded means hare been
taken or anticipated IN the premises by
either party" and that only an honor
able and satisfactory change is con-
ten plated. 1t is quite evident that
Collector Grinnell and Secretary
Fish looked upon the contemplated
change and its conditions as perfect
" honorable no part of the arrange
ment with Mr.. Cover being open to
censure. Then, IN the language OF
PLATE to the accusors of my Lord, /
would ask "What evil has he done ?"
Is it not the common practice in civ
il, political, military and ecclesiastic-
al affairs, for officials to resign inferi-
or offices for the purpose of accepting
those which are thought to be supe-
rlor, and there are but few men who
would reject an offered promotion,
especially if there is a prospect. of an
increase in salary. General Z. S.
Grant was willingly promoted by the
people from the office of General to
that Of President, securing higher
honors and an increase Of salary, and
no one thought less of him for accept
ing the offered change. A properly
regulated ambition is comm endable
in any one, whatever may be his
calling. He who has no desire to
excel, or improve his condition, is a
useless appendage to society. 1t is
when ambition becomes the ruling
passion, subordinating everything
with which it has to deal, that it be-
comes an evil. In matters pertain
ing to the present life, fair and hon
orable attempt to seek higher ele-
walton with its attending results, is
the privilege, and | may say, duty of
every one.
l wonder if Mr.. Covers accusers,
under similar circumstances, would
have acted any more prudently than
he has done LET him that is with
out sin cast the first stone" Human
nature is human nature the world
over.
Let MIR. Covers integrity be tried
by the strictest rules of moral and
human right and wrong. 1t is his
own we'll known policy in dealing
with others. He being severe may
expect severity; but the closest and
most thorough investigation will, in
my opinion, result in his favor. The
criticisms already made, have served
to bring out thesreal facts in the case,
and streng,he the public confidence
in well tried veteran.
In consenting to delay his depart
ure to Fayal until the first of Deem
| Der. Mr.. Cover sustained material