The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-10-29
Palladium Corresponds nee.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
Oct. "a, 1870.

CDIIOh L ALLADlOM
In the oppressive calm that, per-
vades our National Mecca, during
the recess of Congress, any occur
renee, however trivial, out Of the
usual routine, acquires a Fictitious
importance.
For the last few weeks, the res
ignation of O Cabinet clerk has fur
nished material for quidnuncs to
expend an undue am cunt of US eless
tribulation--as to its causes and
consequences.
The indiscreet friends Of the
Secretary have rushed to his de.
tense, and invested him with al
most supernatural excellercies and
representing him as model Of Of
fetal purity, integrity and ability,
and holding him up as bright
example Of uncorruptible firmness,
in the almost universal wreck of
honesty in tho administration Of
public affairs.
That he is c gentleman Of clever
intelligencc--of passable executive
ability--of q fair share Of 'suaviter
in modo'--courteous, affable and
polite in all his official intercourse
with those having business with
his Department, can freely be ad
mitted. Still more, he possessed
in q much greater degree, than any
of his confreres in the Cabinet,
the traits calculated to make pop
ular officer.
But that he is not the personifi-
cation of greatness--nor the en-
bodiment of perfection--nor yet
the quintessence Of immaculate CT
fetal purity or Of infallible judg-
ment. his human origin would go
far to render highly probable.
II the exaggerated fulsome
praises so literally INDUCED in by
his superserviceable admirers, as so
Extensively exhibited in the coll
umns Of the G. zette and CONNER
cial, of Cincinnati, should De the
cause of shading Mr. Cox a little,
his owe rzealous panegyrests will
have themselves only to blame.
Commencing with his career in
civil service, it is within the knowl-
edge of some, that the ID cans and
circumstances to which his nomin-
alton as candidate for Gov. OF
Ohio, was mainly owing, were if
not disreputable, Of very question
able character.
A much larger number of the
good people Of Ohio, at least Re-
publicans, have cause to remember
that after his nomination he came
near wrecking the party by his in
discreet letters and his fearful ex-
hibition of prudence, if not lack
of ability.
II is not forgotten that he had q
weak hankering after as well as
considerable admiration of the
great culprit A. j., so much SO
that the "Alderman of Granville"
had serious thoughts of nominating
Mr.. Cox for Commissioner of In
ternal Revenue.
His selection by Gen. Grant. for
the post of Secretary of the Inter.
ior, was very generally felt by Re-
publicans Of Ohio, as by no means
a fattering recognition OF the as
pirations of the party in that State
His warmest admirers have never
accused Mr. Cox of such transcend
ent intellectual strength, and of
such pronoun ced ability as in any
sense to entitle him to the charac
ter of a Representative man.
That the wishes of the party
were not reflected in his appoint
ment will, it Is believed, be gener-
ally conceded as will also the fact
Of very generally expressed dis
approval Of his being designated
for the post.
While parties exist they can be
kept in vigorous vitality only. by.
practically recognizing the princi-
Piles that TO the victor belong the
officers"-spoils-and this is just
as it should be, conditioned, how
ever, that for all important, yes, for
any places, ability, fitness, integri-
ty should be the prime require
ments for official preferlnent.
1t will not seriously be denied
that there was no lack in the Re
publican ranks of many pei sons Of
at least equal ability, equal integri
ty, equal fitness with Mr.. Cox, for
the position, and at the same time
representative men--men of pro
nounced Characteristic had serv-
ed their party and their country
also, we'll and faithfully, and whom
the people would have delighted to
see honored--men well and favor