Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-10-30
Civil Service Humbug.

Mr. Editor The policy of Mr. Cleveland
has been unsuccessful from time immemo-
rial, and ifhuman nature does not undergo
radical change, it will be unsuccessful down
TO remotest posterity. Unless he is made
to realize that great principle Of political
ethics, "a bird in the hand is worth any
number in the Lush" he will continue to
sap the strength and undermine the founda-
ton of the party that put him in power,
until on the second of November, 1888, there
will be mighty crash, and the very name
of Democracy will be buried forever beneath
the ruins. Charles | instead of stamping
out the seeds of rebellion with the iron-heel
of power, temporized with his enemies until
they had the impudence TO use his very
name on the instruments of his destruction.
Augustus, King of Poland convened the Diet
that deposed him. Louis XVI, of France,
refused to fire on the mob, and was rewarded
for his humanity by having his head cut off
Such are the results that invariably follow
the attempt TO conciliate your enemies at
the expense of your friends. Mr.. Cleveland
was nominated as Democrat, and elected
because he was supposed to be the exponent
of the principles of the Democratic party.
He, no doubt, lost some votes on personal
grounds, AS did also Mr.. Blaine; but the
Republicans who voted for him deserve no
more consideration from the Democrats than
the Democrats who voted for Mr.. Blame do
from the Republicans. The men who ad
here 10 n party from personal considerations
are of no use in it, and had better be out Of
il altogether, it is only the men who are in
fluenced by the principles ola party that form
its bone and sinew. The lavors showered
upon the Independents of New York are
already beginning 10 bear fruit, and on the
third of November next the interesting Mug
wump will be seen locked arms with his
brother Republican vending his way to the
polls TO give brother Davenport a lift.
The people placed the Democratic party
in power because they wished change OF
government that meant a clean sweep topic
bottom. A Democratic general should have
Democratic soldiers; the whole fabric of
government should be homogeneous, har-
monious and united on all questions of ma
tional policy We do not put new wine in
old bottles, nor do we build new houses on
old and rotten foundations. To all Repub
lcan aspirants for office, and to all office
holders who wished to retain their offices,
Mr.. Cleveland should have said, "Gentle-
men, before you can hold Office under my
administration you must join the grand
chances with the rank and file Of the party,
you cannot expect to reap all the fruits of
the victory for which they have fought for
the last twenty-four years."
Many Republicans would have preferred
changing their politics to giving up their
offices, and once in the Democratic fold very
shame would have prevented them from i'm
mediate backsliding. What guarantee have
we that those Republicans who now hold
office under Mr., Cleveland will not be.lound
In line at the next presidential election
What guarantee have we that those Demo-
Gratis who, on account of services, are enti-
tied to positions under the government and
have failed to get them will turn out and
work for party that does not recognize
their Just claimsY Since we neither gain re.
cruts from the enemy, nor keep our own
men in line, where is our majority TO come
from in 1882
The grand old Democratic party has stood
the shock of many conflict, has witnessed
the death-strugge of many political party
has been often defeated, but like the tabled
phoenix, has risen from the ashes every time
stronger, more full of life, and more deter
mined to win in the next encounter Shall
we continue TO follow blindly the leader
ship of general who is leading us on to
US to choose general who will lead us to vic.
tory. Let US follow such men as Thurman,
of Ohio, and Hendricks, of Indiana, old war
horses of the Democracy that have our con-
fidence and esteem. The recent attempt in
Ohio to turn down Allen G.. Thurman re-.
suited in a complete Republican victory.
The moral is obvious and needs no com
ment.
There is, un fortunately, In this country a
class Of snobs who, not content with imitat-
ing all that is Objectionable in English char.
acter, is attempting To introduce the most
Objectionable features of the British govern.
mentlinto our republican institutions. Life
tenure of office has always been considered
contrary to the spirit of republican gov
ernment, yet civil service reform, in snb
stance, is constantly tending towards that
end. We have already in our army and
navy titled aristocracy that is the subject
of continual ridicule, and we should hest.
tate before placing our civil government in
the same position. Our pension list, arising
entirely from the army, Is already immense
yet what would be its proportions were il
also increased from the civil list of the gov.
eminent A pension list has always been a
consequence Of liie-tenure Of office, and why
should our government be an exceptions II
we want servant and master at the same
time, let us by all means support the new
civil service. Independent of its intrinsic
injustice, the civil service commission has
been VIGOROUSLY run in the interest of the
Republican party.
MIR. Cleveland's sneers at local politicians
are as unjust as they are unmanly, and had
some Of them not "impudently" stood be.