New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-05
TNOFFEySJVE PARTISANS.

If Mr.. Cleveland will bring his mind to bear
on the matter he will that in one respect MS
course has been mistaken. Alike as matter OF
fairness and of policy, he is doing Just what ne
ought not to do. He is engaged in taking the
scalps of offensive partisans" These are the
men who have some regard for their civic
duties; men who really believe in something;
men who are not too mean or too cowardly to
act as citizens on all proper occasions, as their
sincere convictions prompt. Mr.. Cleveland
cannot help having respect for these men.
There are exceptional cases, no doubt; SOME
men have abused their power or opportunities.
These are not referred to- such men are not
offensive partsans," but persons who have
disregarded their duty. Mr.. Cleveland may
scalp them if he likes if he scalps many of that
sort, so much the better. But men who have
honestly. fearlessly and zealously discharged
their duties both as officials and as citizens and
partisans, Mr. Cleveland knows right well have
made themselves offensive to him and his
friends If he is man, he respects them for
it. But there liz another class whose scalps he
can take if he likes, and no one will regret it.
There are the inoliensive partisans. They are
the men who think it refined and decorous not
to have any earnest beliefs. They are the men
ceiye it to be dignified to reply that they have
nothing to do with politics" They are the men
who. when asked to make voluntary contribu-
tons for the success of the principles to which
they owed their existence as public servants
reioiced their pockets and the hearts OF Demo-
Gratis by virtuously refusing. They were too
pure, and respected the law too highly. they
would not make any speeches; did not conceive
it becoming in public officer. They would not
write letter, OF utter word in behalf OF their
principles, if they had any, lest they should
give offence to somebody on the other side.
They would not even 20 home to vote They
wished to stand comfortably with either party,
no matter which prevailed. With calculated
| decorum, and diligent cultivation of private
| rather than any public interest, they had made
| themselves in0ffensive partisans. Mr.. Cleveland
| knows that he profoundly despises such men i'll
mis- own party. If he considers the matter
candidly, he will see that they are quite as
despjcable in any other They are the men on
| the fence when no patriotic citizen has any
| business to be on the fence. They are the men
who have convictions but are afraid to show
| them or, more frequently, who profess secretly
| 10 agree with both parties. They are the men
who care more for their private interests than
| for the success of principle which involves the
welfare of the Nation. Mr.. Cleveland cannot
but be convinced, in his private mind, that such
men are fit tor no trust, and qualified for service
under no party.
| If Mr.. Cleveland cuts of the heads OF these
men no one will care. Their neighbors and
| friends, even, will warmly commend him. For
even to his own t0wnsmen and his nearest init
mates, the exalted being who was too lofty a re-
| former to come home to vote has not seemed an
| ideal patriot. These men have no influence,
To cut of their heads will do no harm, and will
make enemies only of adCt of ciphers. But the
offensive partisans, who are positive men OF
| character and of brains, always have influence,
| and every blow struck at them will be resented
| by many even of the opposite party Such
men, when assailed, will make vigorous, strong
and positive foes, unforgetting and unforgiving,
| and if Mr.. Cleveland puts them out OF public
Office where they are under some restraint, they
will strike all the harder and appeal with all the
more force to their Democratic neghbOrs 1t is
| not wise for him to send out as missionaries
| against the Democratic party these vigorous
| and pOsitlye workers. He would do infinitely
better to turn out the empty ciphers who are
merely plugging up places better filled by Dem
ocrats. The sooner he removes the inoffensive
| partisans the better for himself and the
country.