The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-11-14
FIG The Retreat and Accompaniment.

When President Hayes started off
with flourish of trumpets to forbid
oflice-holders from interfering with
elections he appealed to the higher
sentiment of the best men in his party.
He struck vein of moral sentiment
which commanded respect, and did
much to qniet the public mind in view
of the wicked means whereby he was
elevated to Office. But it is now evil
dent that new trick has been palmed
off on the people. The exigency of
the situation in Massachusetts, has de-
veloped the conviction at Washington
that there is no hope of Rice's cleo
ton without the active aid of Federal
holders, and for all practical
purposes Gen. Deyen's letter of inter
probation is complete abrogation of
the civil service rule. 1t is so UNDER
stood at the Custom House, as is man
ifest from the appearance of Collector
Simmons on the platform Saturday
evening and his we'll known activity
in various directions. Thus early in
the history of this reform Admipistga-
ton is it shown, either that the Pres
ident was insincere in his professions
or that at somebody's bidding he has
succumbed to the corrupting influences
which surrounded and controlled the
preceding Administration. In either
case there is evidently no hope for
civil service reform under Hayes. If
the rule promulgated did not plainly
mean that Office holders should abstain
from active participation in party pol
itics, there was no virtue in it. If it
did so mean, it did not require, on the
eve of our election, an official inter-
probation from the Attorney General
which completely robs it of any virtue.
No wonder George w. Curtis de-
clined to speak at Faneuil Hall.
Conkling's insulting speech was bad
enough, bnt his triumph in compelling
Hayes to completely back down leaves
him and all civil service reformers high
and dry upon a stranded shore. And
yet the public ear is doubtless to be
with the pretence that there
has been no abandonment of the prin-
ciple. The reverend clergy who have
lent the influence of their names to
help re elect Rice, one of whom off,
ciates as Vice President at a Satar-
day night rallying meeting, another Of
whom writes a letter urging the young
men Oh in the same detection because
Hayes is "himself honest and earnest,
and another of whom invokes the Ba-
CONAN philosophy to encourage these
youthful civil service reformers in Sc
curing "the disestablishment Of the
machine in pulitics"-yes, these emi-
nent guardians of public morals, who,
in their Sunday desks can drive their
lances at each other for endangering
salvation of souls By perversions Of
religions truth, can unite together on u
Saturday night to rally the s'young
men" of Bostnn to the support Of Rice,
to help "civil service REFORM" and ex-
pect their Sunday listeners tn profit
from ministIations thus nurtured and
ripened for spiritual lenitage This
whole thing is aptly illustrated by THAI
sick son Of Erin who was altogether
tno foud of wliskey. The doctor ON
being called to the bedside of his snf-
fering patient and discovered a bottle
ON tho stand near by, demonstrated
with his patient, and directed him to
discard his whiskey and put himself
upon milk diet. At the next call the
physician found the bottle snpplanted
by a bowl Of milk, but there was an
odor about it which betrayed dirre
gard of his prescription. This called
forth severe rebuke from the doctor
AID e'i,it"d the following reply,
"Yer honor, know it ali intirely.
'ris true there's sprinklin' of whisky
in the bowl, but ye SEQ ills the milk
I'm after."-[ Boston Post.