New-York tribune., 1885-03-30
LESSONS FROM CURRENT Events.

LESSONS FROM CURRENT EPENIo.
The transfer of power to govern this great
Nation has been effected with sublime calm
ness, good will, and faith in free lnstltutlons
II is not possible for Democrats to conceal from
themselves that the Republican party in this
respect has set an example which ought never
to be forgotten The election turned upon
most scanty majority. The right of the vic
tors to claim the votes of several States could
easily have been disputed. But not Republl-
can voice or hand was uplfted to oppose the
inauguration of the President who, under
the forms of law, appeared to have been
the choice of the people. He selected
his Cabinet. A Republican Senate without
question confirmed them. The control OF the
departments was in every case transferred win
the same courtesy and regard for law which the
outgoing President himself showed IN greeting
the new President after his Inauguration and
welcoming him to the Executive Mansion.
Ministers to foreign powers have been CHOSEN
and confirmed, andheads of important branches
of the service, without trace OF factous
opposition. The new men find in every de-
partment that those who have the charge OF
public duties are ready to help them to the best
of their ability. till the time shall come when
they in turn will be relieved.
This absolute obedience to law, in spirit and
feeling as well as in letter, many Democrats
are contrasting with the scenes witnessed when
the last Democratic President went out OF
Office 1t is not now pleasant nor profitable to
recall the events of that trying time,
when no official of the Government,
from the highest to the lowest, could
know how many of the men under him were
really serving an armed rebellion. 1t Is con-
trast which Will not be forgotten. If Democrats
will think of it seriously, it may help to teach
them why their party has been so long out OF
| mower. And vet now that they return after
| long exclusion, their first act is to honor pro-
| foundly the men who were false to the Govern
1nent in its hour of greatest peril. Surely they
must reason that their party has some change
to make, before it can fully regain public con-
idence.
The new officials are beginning to study their
departments 1t is right that they should bring
to the work an intensely critical spirit. If new
brooms do not sweep none will. But the
universal testimony is that the new men are
surprised to find the public service so faithfully
ard thoroughly performed. Here and there
room for Improvement is found, as Is natural.
The whole people hope that scrutiny will be
thorough and searching. and Improvement,
wherever that is possible prompt ana complete.
But once more the contrast is most striking.
Twenty four years ago, when another parry
went out of power, 1t took years to find out how
much had been stolen, how much had been taken
by high handed rebelism for use against the
| Government how much had been earned OIL
without account, simply because the outgoing
| officer, having no hope of retaining Office, had
| no care to do his duty, and already regarded the
! @ 1vernment as an enemy. In every depart
/ m,nt, too, there was amazement at the mscon-
duct that was disclosed. Some worthy and
capable men were found and retained. Indeed
some have beer in Office ever since. But the
new officials were not then surprised in any case
to find the requirements of the public service
more fully met than they had expected.
| The Republicans have no occasion to be
ashamed of their house keeping, or OF the con-
dition in which their successors find the prem
ises. They know that there are spots OF un-
| cleanness or decay. AS TO theIn they only
pray that the Democratic Administration may
succeed in removing them completely. Ii
blame attaches to past Republican Off
cials. Republicans will not ask that IL
shall be concealed. They will ask only
that with equal fulness and accu-
racy the truth shall be told. wherever
the conduct of the public service in the past has
merited praise The people know that not
withstanding all defects, the administration OF
the Government has been singularly pure, up
right, thorough and economical. The Demo
Gratis may well wish that they may be able to
show as good record when they go out of
power four years hence, and to transfer the
! Government to their successors as peacefully
and with as loyal respect for the sovereignty
! of law