The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-22

| best public officers. In these times, the man
who shows zeal in defending and diffusing
what ho believes to be truth, is far more
likely to bring fidelity and zeal to the dis
charge of public duties, than cold-blooded
calculating neutrals, who have no convic-
tions upon politics that they think worth
contending for. Nothing can be. more
healthy than the total keeping out, of that
class of public appointees, who hold over
through all administrations because they
have no pronounced opinions. Their con-
tinuance is reward offered to moral
cowardice and inanity. ,
n Instead of ignoring political opinions in
appointments, our sacred duty is to be more
watchful than ever in this regard. No
party had ever before position, so critical
ly important as our own. Instead OF re-
ceding from high party ground, we must
advance, and become more aggressive.
We must go through the Departments and
sweep out the hundreds who hate the
government and despise the administration
and in secret, but efficient ways
are laboring to overthrow it. We must 20
through the South and remove that great
class of neutrals who discredit the nation
and prevent the growth of loyalty. The
Civil Service Reform we need, is not that
which would give all the Offices of the
South to disloyal men, and enable them
to educate the youth still more rapidly into
the doctrines of Calhoun. 1t is q reform
that selects here men of positive views, of
broad experience, of upright lives, of bold
zeal for the truth, and who will proclaim
the sentiments of loyalty, and the great
doctrines of the National Unity from the
house top, as old Daniel did. ~.
When the Republican party does this
faithfully, it will gain respect here, and will
win over to its side people who respec
boldness and honesty, even in political op-
ponents. 1t is nonsense to say, that the
people call for such reform as would
place the original formentors of the rebel
lion in power, and shut out the humble
loyalists of the South from all participation
in the Federal offices. The reform they
want is one in our own family. We have
competent and honest men in our own
ranks let US sift them out, always respect
ing the superior claims of our gallant SOL
diery.
The people will never consent that these
should be placed upon a par, with our own
'stay-at-homes," or the "bomb-proofs" of
'he South. Our soldiers would willingly
share the offices, as they did their bread and
coffee, with their gallant foes, who met them
IN the field, only let them accept the new
doctrines Of the National Faith. But when
t comes to those educated politicians who
switched the old States off the track, and
hen ran away and hid, they have right to
,bject.
The people will support the administra-
ion, while it uses all its power to uphold,
lefend and diffuse Republican principles,
'y appointing to office, only men whose
lcts give evidence, of the faith that is in
hem. Tney are not to be misled by the
pecious pretences under which the public
'nemy seeks to return to power. They are
lot to be blinded by dazzling schemes of
miraculous sonctifcation in the Civil Ser
nee, however ably advocated by men
whose political experience has been con-
ined to theoretical studies, and writing
magazine articles. Their great COM
non sense rises above all these
'louds, and triumphantly asserts, that the
'ower of the party is to be used to main
ain, what the blood of their sons has wop.
they are satisfied with the honesty and
purity of purpose of the President, and
hey ask him to persevere, fearless of adj
'erse criticism, until erery office is IN the
aads Of an honest, capable and jealous
'ublic serpant, who will both fulfill his
'ubIic duties efficiently, and also labor dill
'ently for the ascendency Of the Rpu6li-
an party, and the spread Of its principles
'n,ong men. n
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