The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-12-18
A d" Change = Wanted.

That outspoken Republican paper, the
Lancaster pa Hq"irer, OF Il recent date,
published the following timely remarks,
which hope you will reprint:
From varions quarters and in various
ways. it leaks ont that upder the admin
istraton Of President Hayes Il great num-
Der of Southern oelS--unreconstIucted
rebels-have been appointed to positions
ofimportauce inthe departments at Wash
ington. The Post Office Department par
ticularly is said to contain a large nrm-
Der of these, whose appointments have
been made since the accession OF the pres
ent incumbent to the Presidency. MANI
of them are alleged to be blatant rebels.
who embrace every opportunity to de-
nounce the Federal Government and the
Republican party, and who detiantly al
legc that they owe their places not to the
administration. hut to certain Southern
Senators whom Mr.. Hayes has privately
conciiiated by making appointments for
them.
This is only one feature in the system
Of Cancellation that has prevailed at
Washington for the past four years. and
we earnestly hope that General Garfield
will make "a change" i'll this particu-
lar. We do not object to tae South get
ting heT full share of appointments under
the government, but we insist that these
shall be unquestionahly loyal. and shall
hold the Republican faith. This is due
to the party that has elected Mr.. Gar
field. and il is especially due to the brave.
resolute. and untlnching Republicans of
the South who have adhered toour party
under difficulties that would have dis
couraged any but the best and bravest of
men. 1t Is bat Il poor return for their
loyalty. when f;tvors are TO be given out
by the government. for these men to be
asked to stand aside. and their enemies
and the enemies OF the government made
the recipients of a bounty, distributed
by the hands Of those whom they would
have crushed to the earth, politically.
had their power been the measure Of
their desires. No one who chcrishcs in
his nature Il generous manhood could
bring himself to the levc! of acting in
this way toward his friends: nor could
he. if he held the proper estimate of 10y
atty toward the government, consent to
put aside its friends tor the sake of re
warding its foes, either open or secret.
We hope to see Mr. Garfield. and the
Cabinet he shall choose, give office To no
man or woman who is not thoroughly
competent and unqueS.ionabiy honest
but at the same time we hope they viii
not confer it on any individual who is
not ndisrutablv 4 Republican. As well
might the Republican party elect men to
office from the ranks OF their opponents.
Such a course would render them pub
lie laughing stock.
L., NI,,,1,,l Of Of,
more extended "chaugc" may be dis
cusscd. Many of the minor Federal ap-
pointmcnts have been held by tho pres
ent occupants for twelve year5--somc of
them as long rs fifteen years. Now. as
it is no secret that the pay received by
these gentlemen is douhle or treble what
theY'Huuld otherwise make. il seems moth
ing but fair and honest that other mem
bers of the party. just as capable and
faithful, should have the benefit thereof
for a while. That these gentlemen ought
not to object to stepping aside for four
years at least. y civil service that ap-
points the best men To Office is all right.
but the man who SUppnseS that a party
can he successful III this country that
proposes to keep one SCI of men i'll Office
for life, must be a natural born fool. He
might have 4 very 'respcCtabie party.
! but he would have very small one.
TO the sirt"ls belong the spoi)S is
perfectly right. if honestly directed.
There are Republicans who have done
their duty-whu have stood up for prin-
ciple-wlIo now think that change =
is in order. and when the proper time
comes will let their wishes be known.