The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1869-01-05

FoR twenty Ave years-fsenty Of them in
this city-has NJ. Howell been in lows jour
nalsm - ~ snti-slavery journalist. In rec
oenition Of that fact, and that service, the
colored citizens Of Keokuk made > prssenta>
ton - him on New Years Day.
There are times when even il partixanship,
common dscsncy requires thas partnership
should cease. The public sense discerns
these times instinctively, and every ons but
the smallest and most vindictive soals con.
form TO the propriety that decsncy demssds.
Our cotemporary asserts always his place
among those low and vindictive natures. He
knows no propriet:es; no decency controls
his hate. We warrant that Clasett IL the
only Journalist in America but would have
deemed the occasion Of the presentation one
Of the times when paitizanship should cease.
Any decent journalist would have viewed the
matter solely ~ recognition Of the probes
zion to which be belonged, and accomplishment
TO brother editor, and would have noticed
The affair accordingly. No journalist in the
county bat Clagett, would have done -
Clagstt did, write m account full Of envy,
and falsehood, end indecency and low hate.
We wouldn't be understood a. complain.
ipg Of our contemporary, or as expressing any
surprise at his course in the premises. We
know his ways. We have seen him indulge
in ribaldry and jest, and obscenity, and reyil-
ines whom brother editor lay dead in the
midst Of his stricken family. We would
know that the man who could do that would
be prompted only to an exhibition of bitter
ness and the essential lttleness OF his nature
by the gift to Mr.. Howell on New Years
Day.
We would not have noticed this matter ct
all but for the fact that Clagett takes occa>
sion in the article to make II. Scott Howell,
Esq, the object Of his petty spleen. As that
gentleman was not present at tie presenta.
lion, and knew nothing about it, some Of the
public may be bothered to know why Clagett
should throw dirt 1t him. TIE secret Of that
il that Clsgeit was candidate for Congress
short time ego, and Mr.. H. Scott Howell,
exercising the pleasure of free man,
wouldn't vote for him.
THE following communication, signed F.
4. B., favoring Hon. james F. Wilson for
Attorney General We find in the Washington
Star
The CLAIMS OF rHs NoRrHwss1 FOR RsrRK-
IN NJ ~ v.-;n
estate Cabinets" that have been figured up and
exhibited in the columns Of public journals, As
entitled the special consideration OF tho Presi
dent elect there has been in almost every instance
urged prominently, the claims of locality in addi-
ton to the personal qualifications, especial fitness
and political prominence Of those named in con-
nection with the various positions.
The country has been vary carefully distrcted Cd
ard proportioned out and the special claims of
States and sections minutely adjusted by friends
Of those gentlemen who have an eye to the Cabi-
net, and which il generally all very good, but
Win one exception. The claims Of the great
country west Of the Mississippi river to one reps
resentative in the new Cabinet has, in most in
stances, been overlooked, unthought of, or I'M
cared for. Iii believed that in but one instance
oLly-which was the brief period in which Hon.
James Harlan, Of Iowa, oficiated rs Secretary of
the Interior-has any one from that vast section
been called to the head Of Department and as
one OF the Presidents councillors.
General Grant, whose home ia upon the very
borders of the great Northwest, whose claim j.
here presented will be likely to recognize the jus
tce of it, and select tho universal choice of the
people Of that region for Postmaster General or
Attorney General in his Cabinet the Hon. James
F. Wilson, of lows, widely known as the able
Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.
For either position no one will doubt Mr.. Will
sons entire itness--the latter perhaps more
pecially qualified for. BY his high solid legal at
tainments, universally known and acknowledged.
In addition to legal and political qualifications he
adds dignity and uprightness Of character, which
essential qualities Tor the position, which, al
though at the foot of the list, is really of the
most important Of the Cabinet appointments.
In justice to Mr.. Wilson it should be stated that
he has not himself, or permitted his friends with
his consent, TO make any movement in the direc-
ton Of the Cabinet. The usual privilege accorded
by rule Of lticsl courtesy to the Chairman of
the Judiciary Committee, upon which to base
special claim for appointment ~ Attorney Gene
raj, has not even been mentioned or, in the least,
acted upon, nor have any political wires been
manipulated, puff paragraphs provided to at
tract attention to his claims in that direction.
F A B.