National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-05
ME DEMoCRACY AND TnE sPnILs.


n circumstance unknown TO history for
some twenty years. The Senate has patron
age to dispense, n fact which has been
snufied aiar of and has brought host of
hungry and ardent expectants to the front
to wrangle over the few loaves aud fishes
that are to be distributed. The cry is,
still they come and hotels and lodging
and bOarding-houses are being crowded
with palpitating hearts and hungry con-
testants for the tempting prizes. Ten
nessee has its BURCH, Pennsylvania its
STENGER North Carolina its WADDELL, West
Virginia its MCMAHON, Maryland its DEN
Ms, with legion of lesser fry, who seem to
suffer aggravated hunger MS they discover
little chance of its qualification. There are
a multitude of Democratic minnows play
ing around the hook, trying TO get nibble
at the bait, each differing with the rest of
mankind when they think that they should
be selected for the possession of some of this
meat which hangs dangling upon the Demo-
cratic hook
The scramble is vigorous, and the contest
is increasing i'll bitterness, and we will
glance at the battlefield of these Demo-
cratic gladiators The first in order TO be
inspected is Senator DENNIS, of Maryland,
whose Senatorial term expires on the 4th of
next March, and who will ask the Senate TO
return him to a subordinate position in the
body of which lie is now an honorable peer.
We have great respect for Senator DENNIS
Il
much respect for him as we can have for
gentleman who has made the mistake
of taking up his bed and board
with the Democratic party - but
when we consider him rs n candidate for the
Secretaryship of the Senate in which he now
holds IN honored seat, which, if successful,
will enable him to lay aside his Senatorial
toga and step down at once to a subordinate
position in the same body, our respect for
him dwarls, and we turn aside from the
consideration of such an event with un-
pleasant emotions.
Then comes Mr.. BURcH, of Tennessee,
who, for aught that we know, stands WELL
personally, but he is making his canvass
chiefly on his war record in the Confederate
army during the rebellion. With the SEN
ate, as it will then be constituted in its ma
iority, this may be regarded as n strong,
and it may prove a winning card while to
the average layal citizen that would not be
regarded as tho highest grade of claim to
distinctive position in the reorganization of
the Senate. The Democrats, however, have
become law unto themselves so far as 10y
atty to the Government is concerned, and
exercise a generous indulgence toward those
who have attempted to take the national
life.
Professor MCMAHON of West Virginia, is
formidable candidate for the position of
Secretary of the Senate, but we opine that
he is too much of an educated, lar-minded,
well.qualiiied, and respectable gentleman to
be preferred by the Democratic party. Our
only wonder is that gentleman of his in
nate instincts of manhood, scholarly ac-
quirements, and liberal views, should have
! found his political home with that party.
! We have no idea that such abilities and at
tainments are to be recognized and appre-
ciated by the Democrats.
! Mr.. WADDELL has been an average Dem
ocratic member of Congress from what is
known as the "tar-heel" State, and that
seems to be the highest claim fled in his
behalf If the Secretaryship was position
of ease and luxury, where the incumbent
had no more 10 do than the figure that
shows the wares Off clothing store, then no
doubt Mr., WADDELL would be adequate to
the situation but the duties require indus
try, talent patience, and executive ability
to aid their proper performance. In this
case, unless our judgment is at fault, these
desired qualities will be found missing if
ever called for in that direction.
Mr.. STENGRR, of Pennsylvania, bases his
claim for the place upon the fact that he
has been a member of Congress and has
been repudiated by his constituency. Per-
haps that is good Democratic claim, but
with the rest of mankind it would not 20
far in securing success so long as the ap-
plicant is scarcely up to mediocrity rs q
member, and yet he may be the very kind
of stuff that the Democrats will fost into a
responsible position heretofore filed by gen.
tlemen Of respectability and worth.
The smaller fry will play for subordinate
positions under the successful candidates
and in this way the patriots will be re-
warded under the Democratic rule of moth
ing for self but everything for the country
The scramble for the Sergeant-at-Ams po-
sition is very lively, and Confederate briga-
ders are as thick as at Richmond during
the war, all seeking reward for not de-
stroying the Union because they could not
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
No country Of the population, commercial
Importance, wealth. intelligence, and prog
ress of the United States on the globe treats
its foreign ambassadors with so much parsi-
mony and crippling meanness in the way OF