Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-05-26
Offensive Partisansnip'


To say the least, it is very amusing
To see and hear the various excuses ouo
administration is making 10 re"oNoI
Republican ottice-holders and 10 re-
place them with Democrats. Inc fres,-
dent, in the commencement OF us a
ministration, committed himseli 10 ciV,i
service reform, and assured cmce-nolu-
ers that they would not be molested.
1t was found that this declared prlncl-
nile of action, if carried out, would not
suit the party that elected Cleveland.
What was there in a change OF admin
istration but the officials, anyhow, 10
the great maj ority of Democrats, and II
they could not get the offices when they
gained them, what was the use of hav-
ing Democratic party This was
the popular view, and he would be q /
bold, stroug man who would attempt to
take a firm stand to resist this feeling.
President Cleveland no doubt thought
he could do it at first, but he soon saw
his error, and has in a wonderful de-
gree modified his action. But how to
get over the first declared intentions OF
the new administration without appa-
rent inconsistency was something that
for time batfled the administration.
But there was a way out of the difficult
ty. and it did not take long to find that
way, once more proving that where
there's will there's way
In the commencement of the late
civil war, the Republican party and
the Union army did not know what to
do with the negro. They knew that he
ought to have his freedom and be trans
formed into citizens, but how was this
to be done =? Neither the administra-
ton nor the people were prepared tor
such change. They wanted to pre-
serve the Union of the States, but they
did not want to break down the institu-
ton of slavery. But they found they
had to do something with the question
Slavery was the strong right arm OF The
rebellion, and to break that arm woult
break the rebellion. 1t was not, how
ever, until General b. f. Butler cam
to the rescue and let the administration
out of its difficulty by declaring al
slaves that escaped 10 the Union line
or were captured by the Union troop;
contraband of war;" that line {
policy was laid down that eventuate
in success.
So with the Democratic administer
Ben Butler of the party. He found
way by which the offices could
changed, and which would settle Il
matter without breaking abruptly
upon the declared desire of the Pres
dent to see civil service reform prevail
"Offen ,ive partisanship' is the wort
These two words save the DEM
cratic party, for where is there Il
H. in, hA NJ.
of the Democratic ofiice-seeker is n
an offensive partisan What de
OF obligation the Democracy is und
to Postmaster General Villas. He hi
opened the doors I'd the Federal cri
ard now the work OF making places 4
Democrats by the removal of "otfensi
partisans " goes bravely on. Tue hu
CRY and thirsty are many, ard on tn
rush for the crumbs that are falli
on all sides of the Federal tables. Ho
ever, we are not objec.ing to Preside
Cleveland removing offensive par
sans " from Office. They ought so
removed whenever they are found
office. This is Republican doctri'
and has been carried out By Reput
can Presidents. and it is an essent
feature of he civllservice reform mo
mant, which got its chief aid aim
entire support IL and out of Congr
from Rspublicans Ii President Gle
land will remove all who have clea
prostitrted public office to prom
party ends, he will deserve the THAI
of all right thinking citizens, regs
less OF party.
Bus this We imagine is not the 81
il which the phrase " offensive pa
sansh.p," IL interpreted by Presto
Cleveland 1t means that there is
be general cleaning out of al! Rep
iicans from Office, The Il
fact that Il Republican holds office
all Is to be called " offensive parti
ship" indeed, the fact that man
Republican is generally otlensiy
Democrats.
We have no. q word to say az;
the administration turning Republi
out and tuning Democrats in, il
can be done without violation OF
rules of civil service reform.
Democrats having elected their ]
dem without al reference tt
means by whici he was elected, al
titled TO the ohices aad the admin
ton would gain more credit by q
upon the principle tEat " the
are ours and VI intend to have Il
than by substituting the misle
phrase of " Offensive partisanshi
a cover for its action.
1-~-S----
THE colored vote has become
je:5 of great solicitude by Demq
candidates for Office, When the
men we're given the right TO 70;
Den ocrats, under the lead Of 5
Willard SALISBURY met in Stat
vention and resolved themselves
White Mans Party" y tn
they would have nothing to d
taclnagro vote-iii noi, indeed,
c)lsred man 10 vote the Den
ticket. From that time until nj
have been relaxing in their