New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-09
WHAT HTNDEPS PFFOPlT

President Woolsey, with all his singular wis
dom sometimes lacks in appreciation of practi
cal difficulties in the political world. He see,
very clearly what, in his opinion, an ideal civil
service ought TO be, and fully appreciates tho
degrading influence of an undue anxiety about
patronage upon man like Mr.. Conkling bu,
ne 1alls to perceive that the Republican party is
embarrassed and restrained in adopting anv
pan OF CIVIL service reform, mainly by the fact
that the opposing party processes an ardent
ueslre Tor that reform whenever it is ont Of
power, and yet employs the most degraded and
uoSlauihg conceptions of the civil service as n
weapon In every political contest The Repub-
hcthS' III oroer 10 act upon President Woolsey's
VIEWS must strip themselves of political power
as means of political success. At the same
tlme they must see the Democratic party en-
ploy the hope of office as its most potent motive
power. Republican officials must be told that
they ought not to NEEDLE with politics. Re-
publican aspirants must be warned that thew
| cannot hope for official recognition. excont IN
rare and peculiar circumstances. At the Same
time, tho Democrats can promise every of,ic,
great or small, to two or twenty men, and TINS
stimulate each to do his utmost for the success
OF the Democratic party. This practical diff
Guilty President Woolsey Overlooks. IL is NOT
III human nature for men who hold honorable
ana lucrative positions to be Indifferent as to the
success OF a party which proposes to turn them
all out as soon as it gets the power
NOT less does President Wo0lsey overlook tbe
,cihe1 dlnculty In the way of a hearty union of
the sectlons The best men at the South do
inueeu agree III opinion and patriotic desire
with the best men at the North. Rut tbe
democratic party stands in the way. II con-
tmually invites the South to sacrifice cvervtbiro
and dare everything, in order to secure its spc7
cess. 1t wins, by this appeal to o narrow soc-
uonalism, the support Of men who nracticall
control the elections in Southern States IF
tnese men lack voUes, they know how TO use
tissue ballots and fraudulent returns. The
oetter men at the South despise them, and vet
no not dare to resist them. Thus it comes to
pass mat the South is made solid by fraud and
iorce' while tho North is urged to divide it's
VOTES In order to bring about desirable reforms
ne practical effect of division at the North
oe 'lie motive what it may, is q transfer of
oo"p,eOe contro4 10 the Democrats of the South
10 inc men VINO gain and hold their place in !
puol,o "nairs by force and fraud. Hence the
North wisely reslsts, and will properly resist
until the Democratic party has ceased 70 com.
mand the support of the Solid South.
In short, the Democratic party stands in tho
way OF every desirable reform. Blot ont that
party and civil service reform would come
without serious resistance. Blot out that party. |
ana there would instantly be an end of resist. |
ance TO principles which Northern voters hold |
sacred. The ballot would be free. The count
would De honest. Men would no longer be pro-
ocIioed ana driven out of public life, in any
par, Oh the land, because Of their loyalty. But.
30 iong as the Democratic party stands. a per-
p l,o menace to free institutions, men like
.esiaene "oolsey will be forced to choose be-
~" ID Una, party and the Republican.
Ai"o''caily The Democratic party is the en-