The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-06-24

ing that he can influence no other Demo
Gratis bv such unworthy argument
Now the word decency" in this con
neetion Is merely synonym of the word
Cruik SHANK.
Properly interpreted. the sentence reads:
1T is 10 be hoped in the interests of Mr..
Cruik shank that Democratic p"rtis0H~
will disclaim responsibility for the utter
ances of Republican editors"
And this construction exactly describes
the Cruikshankian condition in this con-
test.
Wherever or whenever you meet a good
pdrtixaR Democrat ont at the elbow, who
doesn't like work. and seeks to obtain
some petty office, you may rest assured
that he is an aggressive CruikShankian.
The line is now distinctly drawn be
tween partisan (Cruikshank) Democrats
and those who look for some qualitica-
ton and requirement in the man who
aspires to so important a position as that
Of .judgeship.
But true to sample as this interpreter
ton of our cotemporary' partisan char
acter may be, yet the very climax of par
tisanship is attained, when he asserts as
he did on Saturday last that-''lU shoHld
haee far common cnd, p01ty go0d."
Than this, we assert that no more dan
gerous and debasing political doctrine
can be held by any man. The spirit of
party" in the sense in which Mr.. Cruik
shank uses it, has been the curse of Ameri-
eau politics, and the time has come
when, in Difference to the best public
sentiment everywhere, that government
National. State, and Municipal-should
be reposed in the hands, not of - cabals y
and combinations but of those who
represent the people, and who possess
their offices only to perform their duties
with ability and fidelity.
This party spirit that Mr.. CruiHshank
now vainly tries to foster, is rs fatal to
the popular good, as the ambition of a
partisan, is inconsistent with the charac-
ter and dignity of position upon the
bench.
This ''party spirit" has driven from
public office in many instances, our best
men, and filled them with the tools and
Instruments of political rings and bosses
1t has elevated to places of trust and
emolument the incompetent, the dishon-
est, and the corrupt, over those who
were competent. honest, and clean.
Heaven help the cause of public and
official honesty, when we turn to the
record Of the partisan bench in this coun-
try.
The names of Barnard, McCuen, and
Cardoza are well-known types of this
class.
They, too, had their party naxims.
With them, prominently. AL shOnld
and Meir QFH.'
But what became OF the good Of the
people in the meantime.
Should we say that the man who holds
this idea is too rank 4 partisan to elevate
with safety to the bench?
We will not say it, simply because it
might be personal.
Heaven deliver the people from any
judge who owes to partisan politicians
l,;s oIovotinn tn tba hennh
Our cotemporary asserts that neither
Republicans or Republican editors have
the right to discuss the relative claims
and qualifications of Democratic candi-
dates for Il judgesllip in the circuit i'll
which they-the Republicans4-haVe per-
sonal and property rights.
The assertion is as reckless as the fact
is false.
Doas he mean to assert that the Demo
Gratis OF this judicial GircHit should only
look to the party good, and not To- indi-
vidual qualification and requirement iii
the man who seeks judicial honors?
Is that his best and chief ground on
which he seeks the nomination?
If it i,a Sc. We sincerely hope he may
be nominated, for lie will never reach the
bench, and our people will be spared tic
humiliation of elevating to that dignity,
a man whose chief claim to 1t lies in the
fact, that lie has never ceased to be Il
partisan" even in the worst sense of
that term.