Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-05-02
MR. OLEVELAND's CONSERVATION

Those democrats who are becoming
impatient because Of Mr.. Cleveland's
conservative aud cautious course in re-
gard to federal appointments, do not
sufficiently appreciate the peculiar diff
ficulties and special demands of his
position just at this juncture. There
are three or four considerations OF
great importance to which the restive
critics of the administration appear to
be entirely Indifferent; but which new
ertheless, must exercise, and ought 10
exercise, paramount influence over
its policy. In the first place Mr.. Cleve-
land is the president OF the United
States, and not OF the democratic party.
1t was indeed the boast Of the party
that its success would restore nation
al tone to the federal administration,
and would sink all narrow, sectional
and partisan prejudice out of sight for
the sake of the welfare of the whole
country This plea in behalf of the
democratic candidates was, i'll effect, a
pledge, and cannot honorably be dis
regarded. As the president Of the
United States, then, Mr.. Cleveland is
not at liberty to assume the attitude OF
mere party leader, bent upon reward
ing his friends and Furnishing his
enemies. But, in the second place,
MIR. Cleveland is personally and dis
tinctly pledged to the execution of the
civil service law, and to the mainte-
nance of the fundamental principles OF
civil service reform. His prominence
AS a public man before his nomination
at Chicago was due to his earnest and
courageous devotion to those principles
in the face of party opposition. 1t was
eloquently said in the convention there {:
"We love him best for the enemies he
has made" lie cannot be expected
now, therefore, to renounce the policy
which has been the source both Of his
fame and of his usefulness, and to fhe
continuance of which he has plighted
his faith. Thirdly, it must be remem-
bered that however warm Mr.. Cleve-
lands democratic sympathies may be, ,he
has to reckon with republican senate.
and that senate will not be slow
to reject nominations that are in viola
ton of the spirit of the civil service
law. 1t is true that the senate is moi
now in session, but any advantage
gained during its recess would inspire
an increased opposition at its mex
meeting. The president may remove
for cause, and he Is the judge of tht
"cause," but vacancies must be filled
sbv and with the consent of the senate,
and it is easy to see how that bod.
might avenge removals arbitraril.
made. The president would have moth
ing to fear from a conflict with thu
senate if he carried the conscience o
the country with him-if he had rea
son and justice upon his side. But tn
majority Of the good people of tn
United States are not specially concern
ed about the individual wants Of smal
office-seekers. They are vastly NOR
interested in good government. an
they believe that good government cal
not be secured by the application of tn
rule "To the victors belong the spoils.
Finally, it is of the greatest importanc
that the country should be made to Sc
that the democratic party is held to
gether by its principles and not b
greed OF office. Fortunately it is with
t the power OF the party to demonstrat
, that fact to the satisfaction of the Ell
,, tire nation. The enforcement Of til
civil service law by this administratis
: may temporarily benefit few republ
. can Office holders, but it will not bel
, eft the republican party as a Who'll
-, On the contrary, it will present such
vivid contrast to the uniform policy
that party that the country will new
again submit itself to republican rul'