, 1881-04-29
kReuMENTuM AD R0MiNEM.

Olympia "Standard' mans continual
harping about the ARGUS and its
course, but as that paper has hoisted
the danger i 5nal, inviting hostili-
ties, we will accommodate it even at
the risk of utter annihilation-
Doubtless the greater part of
ChristendOm will rend itself for very
shame over the slang used by us
with such an irritating effect, such a
kind of grating, on the cultivated
ears Of onr friend. This would be
censor Of republican actions and diff
ferences, this self~constituted custo~
dian of the only Legitimate commen-
dAtion or reprimand for individual
members of the republican party,
lastes himself into frothy rage over
a mild suggestion that he is neither
infallible nor omniscient. He calls
us machine politician" or
course this is crushing, coming from
one who has duIifully followed in
democratic ruts aud rehasHed by rote
every democratic argument, clap
trap and all, ever since he deserted
the republican party and caught step
with democratic ranks, in return for
All empty title nd brief tug at III"
territorial official teat-one VIII ose
political sincerity is doubted 10 this
day by dozens and dozens of staunch
democratic citizens OF our ter ritory.
'-Whom the Gods would DESTROY"
etc. This wonderful .easoner evi-
IDENTIFY forgets that If we belonged
TO the class of modern bipeds known
as "maehine politicians" we would
not dare to exercise the independ-
ence necessary in questioning the
propriety or justice of an act of
recognized political leader Of our
party. He also makes the alarming
discovery that we applied for the po-
sition of which he speaks. Well,
Wa did, and our application had an
endorsement signed by nearly every
business man in Port Townsend. Is
that any disgrace? Our critic evi-
IDENTIFY has diminutive measure with
which he presrmes to ascertain the
exact standing of everyone else.
Ofcourse if HE had applied for po-
sition he would be incapable of ex-
pressing an unbiased opinion in re-
gard to it. Is that your logic?
Seriously, we must apologize to
our readers for allowing so trifling
matter to take up so much space.
This discussion has been prolonged
by our contemporary, and we pro-
pose to answer it once for ali. The
fact is, there was a vacancy created
in the u. S. Customs force at this
point, and the Collector, for reasons
which he doubtless deemed sufficient,
filed that vacancy TO suit his own
particular liking. We, with others,
remained outside, and exercised the
poor, though American, privilege Of
grumbing. BY what we said we
merely echoed the sentiments and
criticisms of many republicans
through whose efforts the Collector
and all other republican officials are
kept in position, as much as by that
Collectors own power. AS worker
in the ranks we claimed the right to
have our say. If it was a sin 10 do
SO, we must take the consequences
But it seems that our sin was again st
Bro Murphy instead of against any
factor or principle in the republican
party. We are not conscious OF
having incurred the dispieasure of
Mr. Webster or any other sensible
republican, by speaking out honest
convictions. Bro. Murphy claims
allegiance to political party whose
me-honored, Jacksonian motto is,
"to the victors belong the spoils,"
and if that party were in power to-
morrow he would move heaven and
earth or have fat position, on these
very grounds. In fact he has been
''holding the fort" and hoping
against hope on that basis for 10
these many years. We would not
by any means belittle the claim OF
any one for meritorious service in
time of war; but there are other
considerations also worthy 10 be ta-
ken into account; and besides, it
comes in very bad grace for Bro.
Murphy, or any other officious ad.
wiser, to administer TO us medicine
which he would not take himself.
See?
Now, with all due veneration for
the literary eminence and as,ound-
ing erudilion OF our irate friend, we
IL. ,La caaa .f