The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-06-16
A QUID PRO QUO.

sCURITY-this phrase is strictly our own,
not Frazer s-was the undeserved pen
atty we paid for little unsought official
prominence conferred upon us by the
Collector of Customs for the Port of
Baltimore, with whom we have since
held daily communion in the shades to
which the -Esculapan editor of the Ne.rs
| then consigned us.
This too cruel Punishment was, while
possibly irksome, at least relieved by the
happy reflection that with ma snanim-
ity never before exhibited by him in
Church " discussions, he had at least
spared our personal character, and by
that other sweet and consolng thought,
that the Cruikshankian Cerberus of the
Democrat had preserved sullen silence,
and that for three peaceful months we
had weekly passed his "den," without
jeopardy to mind or body.
But, alas. the delusive dreams of po-
litical life.
| Congress had passed a Civil Service
bill and local examiners had been select
ed for Baltimore. among which had APP
peAred the name of the luckless editor of
| the Wig.
The occasion was too suspicious to be
lost, and so, on Saturday last, the Cruik-
shankian oracle lifted up its voice and
proclaimed abroad the story of our latest
sin.
With unrelenting hand, he dragged lis
| from the grateful oblivion to which the
"tother " fellow had consigned us, and
ruthlessly stripping us of the Civil Ser
vice mask(?) behind which we had been
masquerading, revealed MS to the world
in all our naked deformlty of hypocrite
and deceiver.
Now from an editor friendly to a re-
form of the public service, and whose
intelligent utterances in regard to it
would entitle his opinions to respect, we
do not object to tair criticism.
Dispassionately made in the interest of
the public, criticism upon the qualitica-
ton of any public officer is legitimate
province Of respectable and impersonal
| journalism.
But from George w. Cruikshank, who
is nothing if not a partisan, and who car
ries under his vest more ripe old Bour-
bon bile to the square inch than any man
we know, comment on this subject at
least is simply intolerable and ridiculous.
There are men who have sufficient
manliness and sense of justice to accord
to a political opponent the possession of
some personal merit, some virtue, some
individual qualification, some character,
that should commend him to the favora-
BILE consideration of his fellow-men.
Mr.. Cruikshank. however, is not one
of these.
With him, the worst man on his side
is better than the best man on the other
side.
1t was not to be expected, therefore,
complacency, the selection of the editor
of the Wing for public position, either
of emolumeTt or trust.
1t is not in the nature of the man, and
in politics Mr.. George Washington Cruik-
shank is rare child of nature.
Our only surprise, however, is that he
should, in his effort to be vindictive,
cease to be truthful His editorial ex-
perience of twenty years certainly should
have taught him that while ridicule is
recognized as legitimate weapon in pol
tiles, offensive and defensive. msrepre-
sentation is never justifiable.
For present political purposes, which
are sufficiently indicated by his reference
to Stalwarts and Half-Breeds, he asserts
that we have been Gin season and out of
season most persistent and pronounced
opponent of any system savoring of Civil
Service REFORM" and that it has received
at our hands only ridicule and abuse.
We pronounce this assertion absolutely
and unqualifedly false.
A careful examination of the columns
of the Cecil Wig shows not one line or
sentence adverse to Civil Service Reform
as such. We have, it is true, derided in
writing and orally the palpable insincer-
ity of prominent Democrats in and out
of Congress, who openly declare, that
tie best and only geauine Girl .Sertice Re
form consists IN appointing true .Jeterson-
ian Democrats 10 office and keeping them
there.
To this school of Reformers(?) Mr..
Cruikshank belongs, and who, with its
disciples in general, Is now looking SO
hopefully for Democratic success in 1884.
1t is plain that as pronounced & Repub-
lican as the editor of this paper can have
little in common, politically, with Re
formers Of the Cruikshankian type.
Hence these tears.
We ask no favors AZ &c editorial fair
ness or courtesy from our contemporary
on this subject.
For those whose good opinion we de-
sire, our denial is sufficient.
To those whom Mr.. Cruikshank's libels
can influence, we are totally Indifferent.