Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-09-24
THE VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.
, editor of the Alexandria Gazette

ginia at this time:
"John W. Daniel, the democratic candi-
date for Governor of Virginia, was over
borne by superior numbers, largely pro-
duced by the use of money and patronage
furnished at Washington. The defeat of
Daniel is to be regretted. He represented
the young, the progressive element OF, OF the s
South. He was handicapped by class OF
that their party was invincible, and that
stump speaking was the sure means OF OBJ.
tanning success There was no organization
on that side worthy to be called such. The
campaign may be said to have run itself.
Malone, on the other hand, did his work
Systematically, knew what he was about,
and won by virtue Of drill and discipline,
and by the still stronger virtue of consider
ations by which the solid black vote was
wheeled into line for Reputation. The DEM
ocratic leaders outside of Virginia, though
well aware Of the Importance of the cleo
ton, and that the political complexion Of
the Senate might be affected by it until
1885, exhibited no particular interest IN the
result, and took 10 part in the campaign.
Their apparent neglect had an injurious
effect; it disheartened many voters. This
sharp lesson is full OF instruction if the dem
ocratic managers have good sense enough to
profit by il"
The instruction derivable from that sharp
lesson points out two important considere-
tons organization in the State, and assis-
lance from democratic leaders outside. Ma
hone has the same drill and discipline, and
is doing his work just as systematically in
1885, as he did in 1851. It is true he has
not now the money and patronage furnish
ed at Washington in 1881, but as the poll
teal complexion of the Senate may be as
effectually influenced by democratic defeat
this fall as it was by like result in 1881, it
is fair to presume that the astute managers
of the republican party out of Virginia will
net be as apathetic as the democratic lead
ers out of Virginia were in 1881, and appear
10 be again in 1885.
The administration at Washington this
year may be regarded as among the demo
cratic leaders outside of Virginia, and it may
be pertinently asked of the President-is be
doing all in his power to make the demo-
cratic party successful in Virginia at the
coming election? We hope he is, but at the
same time it is not improper to say that
little more emphasis might be given to his
action by moro decided discharge of that
duty which is expected of him, IN turning
the rascals out. The civil service law must
be enforced because it is law he has sworn
to execute. But that duty ought not to be
discharged as though that law was REFORM
The democratic party cannot recognize as a
reform a system which keeps ia Office re-
publicans who were appointed only for party
service and political otfensiveness, nor does
that system commend itself to the people
ofthe country when it makes q tenure OF
Office the reward of faithful service. Every
man who accepts Office is bound to discharge
it's duties faithfully and to be honest and
efficient. But that is no reason why he
should hold the Office for life. The judges
only are appointed during good behavior;
every other Office is intended to be left open
to the people and not permanently filled
because the incumbent does his duty. For
nearly q quarter of q century, republicans
only have been appointed to Office. They
were not originally selected for any peculiar
ftness-not for any exceptional honesty OF
integrity. They were known by their lives
and actions to have been tho most violent
partisans, and they have, in many cases,
proven themselves to be the most dishonest
men. 70 retain these men in office and to
perpeluate the exclusion of democrats, q
sickly sentmentality about morality has
been invoked, and the public taught to be-
lieve that some great evil would oyertake
the country ifthese bitter partisans, whose
malignity towards the President and his
party has been only modified since bis in
auguration, should be turned out and other
citizens invited to help the administration
in its reforms.
It is quite common to hear democrat
who is seeking Office under his own party
spoken of most ofiensively-andc ontemptu-
ously-but the republican that is. and has
been for twenty years, holding Office is re-
garded privileged person, whose right
to his salary during life has been con-
frmed by time and usage. No statute
of limitation can be invoked to remove
republican-his right to Office runs
with the government. It is not affirming
too much to say that such theory of office
holding is not only undemocratic, but that
it is repugnant to American principles. The
faithful discharge of duty is required OF er
cry officeholder, and its performance cannot
be plead as a reason for keeping him in
Office To reform the civil service there
ought to have been provision made fer
vacating every Office and letting every citi.
zen, if desired, present himself for examina-
ton. That will not be regarded as reform
which presumes the ms to be the only COM
petent and the outs the only incompetent
persons; the republican officeholder to be
honest and faithful and the democratic ap-
plcant to be quite the reverse. The people
of Virginia will elect General Lee and also
a democratic Senator, but they will not by
their votes endorse and approve the en-
forcement Of a system which implies their
unftness for office because they are demo-
Gratis and assumes the entire fitness of only
republicans for office.
The reform Of the civil service was the
last refuge of the republicans when the
storm of popular Indignation over twenty
years Of misrule was about to overwhelm |
that party. A few democrats fell into the
scheme and it became law-for the benefit |
Of republican partisans only. The Presi.
dent may be compelled by his oath to carry |
put the provisions of the law-but he need |
not do it in manner to show that he is |
snamored with system which stamps his
own party with anftness for employment
BY the government. Neither is it incum.
oent on him, nor expected of him, to extend |
he so. called spirit of an offensive law be-