The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-22

throughout the country. The organized
movement for reform may be said lobe In
its infancy. Public attention for many
years past has been too much absorbed by
questions Of u more exciting nature q
admit Of free and full discussion Of this
topic, which must now come. But al
though the organized movement for re.
form Is Of recent origin, there Ia much "a
encourage its friends TO hope for ultimate
and complete success, because, first oil all,
we know we are right. The great Republ
lican party Of the country, atits National
Convention in 1875, adopted and engratt-
ed into It's platform q resolution in favor
Of the principle for which w contend,
The first thing TO be accomplished in this
movement for reform Is the abolition oil
an abuse Of administration which has
been the growth Of years. This was
clearly seen and plainly declared by the
representatives Of the Republican party
at Cincinnati. They demanded a re.
~storation OF the Just Constitutional
powers Of the executive branch Of
the government. They declared that
Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress, who may be judges and accusers,
should not dictate appointments to office;
and that the rule in appointments should
have reference 10 the honesty, fidelity
and capacity Of the appointee; and that
the chief executive Of the nation, being
responsible under the constitution and
answerable TO the representatives Of the
people for the proper performance Of bis
duty in this regard, should be wholly un-
trammeled by the vicious practice which
had hitherto prevailed. This was q blow
struck at the root Of the evil. II was
followed by a bold, manly and clear let
ter Of acceptance from the nominee Of
the convention for the high Office Of
President, Governor Hayes There was
no lowering Of the standard which had
been lifted at Cincinnati. On the con.
trary, ii was still higher advanced, and
the people, who were about TO make their
choice between the candidates Of the two
great parties, were notified in the ciearest
and most distinct manner that, in the
event OF the success OF the Republican
candidate, every effort would be made for
"thorough, radical and complete reform"
Having succeeded In electing their Presi-
dent, the friends Of reform everywhere
r~eioiced at the high stand taken by him
in his inaugural address.
In view Of these significant facts, sure.
" reformers have no reason TO despair Of
final and absolute success. 1t should be
borne In mind that we attack an ancient
and deeply.rooted practice, that onr enc.
mics are strongly e%ntrenched, and that
success, 10 be complete and enduring,
must be won by q series Of progressive
movements. The youngest among US can
we'll remember the struggles OF that de-
voted band Of intelligent men who q few
years ago consecrated themselves 10 the
cause Of universal freedom, and who no.
bly, did battle for their opinions under
the most adverse circumstances, and in
the face OF the ~iiercest opposition. AT
frat they were content with firm and de-
cided opposition to a further extension
Of slavery on this continent. Persistent
efforts and a courageous advocacy Of their
opinions. aided by the arrogance and ex.
cesses Of their adyersaries, brought them
sudden and complete success. The most
sanguine anli.slayery man could not have
hoped for It at SO early aday. A blight
upon the prosperity Of n section Of the
country and a great moral wrong TO all
was wiped out forever. The friends oil
reform should take courage from the ex.
ample Of these brave men. The cause in
which we have enlisted is in the interest
OF the highest good Of civil government,
and has for It's purpose lasting benefit to
all people. The cause may be derided
and It's strength be despised by the friends
Of the old system which We attack. So
was the anti.slavery cause, and 70 were
the men who devoted themselves 10 1t.
Let US then carry the standard high.
Let us maintain the intrenched position
we have already achieved inside the great
Republican party Of the country. The
cause OF reform in the hands OF brave
men will not be put down or defeated by
the scoffs and derision Of its enemies. The
charge that reformers are mere doctri-
mares and impractical in politics is fully
met by the declaration OF the Cincinnati
platform that II is entirely consistent
with all we aim at, that the party in
power should have "those places where
harmony and vigor Of administration re-
quire It's policy TO be represented The
party which is able TO elect a President Of
the United States can always furnish men
from It's own ranks for such places who
GIL the highest requirements OF a true
civil service, but in the choice Of these
the executive must be left free and un-
trammeled by dictation from those who
have been chosen 10 represent the people
in the legislative branch Of he govern
ment. BY the adoption Of this principle
in administration we may expect eleya
ton and greater efficiency in our ciyi
service, and corresponding benefit in thu
legislative department. Let US remember
that, where principle Is involved, conces.
sion is dangerous and compromise disas
fFnna-