National Republican., 1876-08-30
WHO Is REsPOEsIBLE1

The Republican party is now fighting a
fierce battle for the principles 1t has main
tained since the commencement of the war.
They are in greater danger of subversion
now than ever before. The struggle will evi-
IDENTIFY be close one, and 1t is manifest that
all recruits and veterans of the party should
be fighting in the ranks. 1t wants no drones or
halfway men, who not only burden the party,
but hinder its prosperity. Those who are not
for us are against US. In such a time every
man should show his colors. There can be
no such position as neutrality. Wherever
you find a neutral political man now spot
him as an enemy of the Republican party
and of the best interests of his country.
These truths come home to true and tried Re-
publicans the more forcibly here in Washing
ton, where we are fully alive to the dangers
which would beset the county were the Con-
federates and their Democratic allies at the
North successful in the coming election.
And yet in full knowledge of the fact that
every nerve and sinew, every string must
draw in the coming campaign, we must fain
believe that strong and effective measures are
neglected right here, and that there is a
screw loose somewhere.
Take an example. Here, by the fat of an
ex-Confederate House, nearly eight hundred
employees employed under Republican ad-
ministration are to be discharged. During the
war caused by the action of these same ex-
Confederates these accessioLs of clerks were
made. Through the leniency and,,magnanimity
of the Administration large portion of these
clerks who were always, and are now Demo-
Gratis, have been allowed to remain-very
many of them to monopolize the best positions
and attain to places of influence and power in
the Government. Very many of these are to-
day heads of bureaus or even higher in office.
Now when Democratic dodge of reduction is
foisted upon Republican administration these
very men take 1t upon themselves to decide
upon the capabilities or adaptabilities Of en-
ployees under them, and iupon these "Con-
servative" chiefs is conferred the power to
nominate whose heads shall come off! And
almost invariably they settle upon Republicans
or those having soldier records. And why!
Just because they wish to retain their own
class in office. Or, perhaps, lin anticipation of
Democratic victory, they wish to clear the
decks beforehand for it.
These facts are so patent and forcible that
it is absurd to deny them. Proofs of this du-
plicity are coming in every day, and unless
some decided measures are taken before the
present week ends an overwhelming proof will
come in the first of September.
Now, either the heads of Departments are
entirely ignorant of the political status of
these underlings, claiming the power to dis
criminate, or else they are derelict in their
duty toward the Republican party.
lor. g. af
bureaus to decide on, it is confidently pre-
dicted that two thirds, If not three fourths, of
those decapitated will be Republicans, while
those who have never cast a vote or scarcely
lifted finger for the party that saved the
Union will be shielded by the influence of
Conservative officers" What will be the re-
sult7 Suppose that eight hundred Democrats
can be found in the Departments, to fill this
bill of discharge, will the Republican party
lose any votes or influence by discharging
them7 But suppose two thirds of this number
be Republicans Unless their political faith
be like the granite hills, and 1t will be In many
cases, who could blame them If they turned
over their votes to the enemy when they saw
themselves thus turned out of employment,
while their Democratic companions in office
were quietly pursuing their old occupation
right under the protection of Republican
Cabinet? .. ..s.... ...
This article is written only as warning to
the Republican party, and as showing only
one instance-a glaring one, too-of the want
of knowledge of the state of things, inertia or
ignorance, don't know which, Of some party
or parties in the Republican ranks
Talk of civil servicel Let us have our friends
In and our enemies out first; then weed out
from among the former the incompetent or un-
faithful; but so long as we are certain that