National Republican., 1875-07-19
MORAL COURAGE IN THE DEPARTMENTS

1neTe is perhaps some excuse lOT tue
lack of backbone among the civil service
employees and their chiefs in some of the
Executive Departments, because the active
politicians or leaders of the Republican
party in the lower House of the last Con-
gress set them the example of running pell-
nell, like herds of frightened sheep, before
the bugaboos of the so called independent
press. However this may be, the excuse
is not sufficient TO account for much that is
being done at the dictation of the Opposi-
ton. Not day passes that some account
against some of the various branches of the
Government is not either rejected, or sus-
pended, which amounts to the same thing
because the accounting officers, or the officials
Immediately responsible for the payment
are afraid of the criticisms Of some unprin-
cipled scribbler whose sole object in life is
to defame the Administration and its lieu
tenants. The same may be said of officers
who hesitate to begin needed improve
ments, or take initiatory steps in the direc
ton of the outlay of the public money. In
truth, the bold and progressive spirit which
at one time illustrated the independence of
the party has been paralyzed. Men who
years ago courted the denunciations of the
Democracy, and who would have secuted
at the idea Of being influenced by the gabble
of meddling Independents, now cringe be-
fore the merest shadow OF their reproaches,
and stink like towards behind the screen
of unjustifable or assumed economy when
the substance of the shadow is made ap-
parent. The Democrats, and the not less
malignant haters of Republicanism known
as the Liberals, have not been slow to dis
cover this fact, and have used their knowl-
edge to the injury of the party. Just now
it is being felt in efforts to discourage sub
scriptions for political purposes. To-mor-
row it may be discovered in the appoint
ment to some subordinate position Of some
one who is unfriendly to the party, or a
neglect to remove from office some one
whose retention works manifest injury to
its prospects.
This influence also acts in certain quar-
tiers to impel men who should be above
such trifes to seek the applause of their
political enemies To realize this shameful
ambition they ignore party obligations and
strain point not infrequently to show an
independence of party influence which is
really an exhibition of despicable servility
to ignoble and destructive agencies. So
true is lhis that the remark is often made
that the opponents of the dominant party
are more influential as regards the practical
workings of some of the Departments than
its friends. Further, boasts are often
openly made by the former class that Re-
publican officials with whom they have
dealings are afraid to treat them as they
know they deserve to be treated.
While these remarks are not to be ap-
piled generally they are pointedly applica-
bic in certain quarters where they will be
fully appreciated without the mention oil
particular names. Any of our readers
who have had occasion to test the truth oi
these structures will agree with us that our
statements are not exaggerated, and that q
lack of partisan spirit is slowly sapping
away the usefulness of the civil service as
an adjunct to party success. We admit
that this criticism is open to the objection
that 1t relies for its force mainly upon the
assumption that to the victor belongs the
spoils; but when election campaigns come
about the practical political mind inyolunta.
rily yturnstothat assumption as the only avail.
able method to preserve party integrity and
secure party success No Baptist congre'