The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-02
The Opportunity.

Taking Mr.. Cleyeland's Cabinet and
other appointments thus far, and they
show the impress of his mind, and deter
mination to act in the selection of
men for important positions, indepen-
dent of partiZan recommendations
While they have, in some instances, been
surprises, they have not offended the con-
servative sentiment of the country. but
on the contrary, have received. in most
cases, the unqualified approval of fair
men of both parties. Republicans are
pleased because they recognize that the
extreme men of the opposite party cannot
use the administration. Democrats, out
side of disappointed ofiice-seekers, are
gratified because the effect must be to in
spire the confidence OF the country and
make a success, where it was thought
great difficulties would have to be encoun-
tered and overcome before that end could
be attained. The natural ontgrowth of
such common sense conservatism must
logically be the alignment of partizan bit
terness-the Improvement of party meth
DDS, the elevation of party tone. and
the securement OF wise, solid, progressive
healthy government. That is what the
great mass of the people of both parties
desire-it is what the business interests OF
the country demand, and which high
conception of public duty will aim to ac-
complish. When citizen is placed in the
exalted position of President OF the Re-
public, he ought to be beyond the reach of
mere spoilsmen and partizans. He is the
ruler over all the people, and to recognize
this in the practical exercise of the power
conferred, cannot fail to be responded to
in the same spirit by all good citizens,
whether of one party or the other. 1t was
this spirit that ruled and controlled the
administration of Monroe, and so dis
armed opposition that party lines, and es-
pecially partiZan strife, ceased to exist,
and all realized they were citizens of a
common country, sharing in common ben
elits and obligated to common duties. 1t
would be n blessed thing for the United
States if we should once more be
brought under such benign condition of
affairs and the President accepted by both
parties as the impartial agent of all the
people to study their interests and promote
their welfare. 1t is wide, patriotic field
of endeavor. Past partizan bitterness
the angry strifes and foul defamations.
which have marked and married the strug-
giles for party supremacy, nave, now that
the calm has come and reason is free
to be exercised. prepared the popular mind
TO welcome 4 reign of order, of peace, of
patriotism and prosperity, SUCH as will
surely follow when confidence is won and
the assurance given that the country is to
be considered as above party and the well
fare of the citizen as paramount to the
plots and schemes of the partizan. If all
the selections for official position should
be of one party. it would not necessarily
invoke distEust for it is possible to make
choice of men who have eschewed the
methods of the political manipulators,
whose highest aspirations is to run the
machine aAd subordinate all other inter-
'ests to the schemes and plots of ring man
ayers and mercenary ends. ="
= Mr.. Cleveland has the field before him,
and if he does not succeed, it will be his
own fault, for the great mass of the pe0-
pie wish him success. regardless OF party
predictions.