New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-19

undergoing 81 examination every few days
before board which has the absolute, uncon-
trolled power to assign any one or more ofthem
just the grade necessary to secure their APP
pointment. with nobody to question their
acts.
If power in the hands of the President and
members of Congress elected by, and re-
sponsible to, the people, is as dangerous as the
civil service reformers claim, how much more
dangerous is it in the hands of an irresponsi-
bic, secret, unknown set of men with nothing
but their own conscences to restrain them
from the most arbitrary and corrupt exercise
Of that power.
We are not among those who believe with
Walpole, that every man has his price. But
we believe the further power is removed from
the people, the more apt it is to be abused.
And we are strongly and irrevocably opposed
to placing such great power in the hands OF
men neither recognized in the Constitution,
nor known to the people.
.Six.h. Because it places not only the OPP
ponents of the Administration, but the enc
mics Of the Government itself, on footing OF
perfect equality and breaks down all dis.ine-
ton between loyalty and treason and Re
publicanism and Democracy.
We believe patriotism demands above all
things that the favors ofthe Government shall
be bestowed upon those who contributed by
their valor in the field, or their money, and
labor, and counsel, at home, to save the ma
ton. in preference to its enemies, always,
everywhere. under all circumstances, and
without any exceptions. Any other course
would root out all love of country from the
people. and result in the destruction of the
Union sooner or later. as inevitably as cause
produces effect.
Already too much has been done to render
treason honorable and respectable, as we'll as
safe. To tell the two million Of brave men
who periled their lives, and many of whom
lost their limbs in defense Of the Union, that
they must take their chance with the million
or more of rebels who fought so hard to de-
destroy every inducement for patriotic sac
riices hereafter.
We believe the same sentiment of patriot
ism and gratitude that should prompt the
Government to bestow all its favors upon its
friends and preservers, in preference to its
enemies, should also impel the Administra-
ton to bestow all its patronage upon those
whose labor, and time, and sacrifices placed
it in power.
Even Trumbull and Schurz-the noisiest
clamorers for "Civil Service Reform and
since their desertion of the Republican party,
the bitterest enemies of appointment to Office
for political services-will not dare deny that
it would have been of infinite advantage to
the Union cause during the rebellion if all the
offices of the Government, as well civil as
military and naval, had been in the hands OF
loyal men. We believe it is just as import
ant that the offices now should be in the
hands of Republicans, if we desire the con-
tinued success of Republican principles.
All who believe the Republican party is
any more honest and patriotic than the rebel
Democracy, and who believe the ascendency
OF its principles necessary to the peace and
safety of the country, will agree with US that
all fair and lawful means should be used to
retain it in power. No man of common sense
will deny that the patronage Of the Govern
ment is powerful and proper agency to be
used in securing the triumph Of Republican
principles.
Once satisfy the rank and file Of the Re-
publican party that the Administration they
have elevated to power, utterly repudiates all
claims based on party considerations, and they
will give themselves very little trouble about
it hereafter, because they believe that Re-
publican principles can only be carried cut
by their friends.
1t will not satisfy them that the President
and few of the great officers Of Government
are Republicans. And those who have forced
this civil service scheme upon the country
will find, sooner or later, that politically, as
we'll as in every other respect, til tremen'
dous mistake.
Congress has forced it upon the President
to appease the clamor Of noisy demagogues
and he had no alternative but to carry it out
It therefore rests with Congress to rid the
country of a germ Of arlstocracy that vii
prove as odious if not quite as oppressive
here as that class has proved in Europe.
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