Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-07-17

ton, we certainly must file demurrer. The
men who deserve the highest honors are the
brave band of true and tried Democrats that
for twenty-four years, in storm as well as
sunshine, in defeat as well as in victory,
have chung to the old faith-the men who
cared not for abuse, who despised alike the
insults and overtures of the foe, who have
shrunk from no toll, who have drawn back
from no sacrifice, who have cheerfully poured
out their treasures and freely given their
time, and who, when all seemed lost, when
foes without bore down in serried columns
upon them, and when traitors within were
Matching unholy schemes, yet, in spite ofall
this Rugged the battle-stained ensign OF De-
mocracy 10 their hearts and dared renew
the fight. The Independents worked with
us, not that they loved Cleveland more, but
that they loved Blaine less. To their credit
be it said that they have preserved q most
modest and dgnified attitude. tits thought
that handsome majority of the country to-
day heartily support the Democratic party,
but If it were not so for one would not
have that party yield one iota Of its noble
doctrines, which are, l believe, the embodi-
ment of truth and justice and right, to con-
ciiate any set of men, however influential.
The argument alluded to, which is some
times urged in behalf of the office-holders,
| is, therefore, not tenable. If they shall be
retained, it will be because their retention
is in the line of sound Democratic policy.
| Who then are these officials? They are the
men whose opinions cannot interfere an any
aoag with the Democratic administration;
whose labor has been conscientious and
efficient, whose private life is pure, whose
public life is unstained, and who, while ex
ercising their right to vote, have been care
| full never to mix up their offices in partisan
politics. If O man be weighed in this bal
ance and not found wanting he should, |
| think, be permitted to remain in Office
Although every man should have the cour-
age to think for himself and maintain his
carefully formed opinions, it is still crafty
| ing to find that one is not alone In his views,
| and it seems tome that the great bulwarks
of the peoples liberties, that magnificent
apostle of Democracy, as brave and true
hearted az he was wise and patriotic, the
grandest statesman of his time. Thomas
| Jefferson, held essentially the same doctrine
with that advanced above. In proof of this
| submit the following extracts taken from
his letters TO prominent statesmen during
the first year of his administration. His
sentences are terse and need no comment
To Mr.. Monroe he wrote: "Some remov.
ais, know, must be made. They must be
as few as possible, done gradually, and bot
toned on some malversation, or inherent
disqualification"
To Gov. Giles he wrote: "Good men, 10
whom there is no objection, but difference
of political opinion, practiced on only so far
as the right of a private citizen will justify,
are not proper subjects OF removal, except
in the case of attorneys and marshals."
To Elbridge Gerry he wrote: "Mr. Adams
last appointments, when he knew he was APP
pointing counseloIs and aids for me, not for
himself set aside as fast as depends on me
Officers who have been guilty of gross abuse
of office, such rs marshals packing juries,
&c, 1 shall now remove, as my predecessors
ought in Justice to have done. The in
stances will be few, and governed by strict
rule, and not party passion. The right of
opinion shall suffer no invasion from me"
TO Attorney General Lincoln he wrote ::
81 still think our original idea as to office is
best; that is, to depend, for obtaining just
participation, on deaths, designations and
delinquencies. This will least affect the
tranquility of the people, and prevent their
giving into the suggestion of our enemies
that ours has been contest for office, not for
principle. This is rather slow operation,
but it is sure, if we pursue il steadily, which,
however, has not been done with the un
/
| TO these means of obtaining just share in
the transaction of the public business, shall
be al led one more, TO wit, removal for cleo
pioneering activity, or open and industri
GUS opposition 10 the principles of the pres
ent government, legislative and executive.
| Every officer of the government may vote
at elections according TO his conscience, but
| we should betray the cause committed To
our care were we 10 permit the influence of
| official patronage 10 be used 10 overthrow
that cause"
So thought Thomas Jefferson. And surely
We shall have enough honest fruits of our
great victory TO satisfy us. Think Of that
motley throng of diplomatic representatives
and postmasters of eectioneering clerks and
revenue collectors, of attorneys and gaugers,
OF CHASTITY ghouls and rpetbaggers, OF
knaves and imbecies, and of the thousands
OF officers who have been, or soon will be
presented with yellow tickets TO the pro
verbal excursion up the river of saline
waters Remember that as Republicans go
out good Democrats get Il chance 10 go in.
Remember all this, Democratic brother, and
"let not your heart be troubled" DUTY"
said great man who now sleeps with his
fathers, but who has left behind him a
memory which shall be reverenced as long
| 80 VIZ t'SiiooeihS hito
shall be deathless when they have melted
on Natures funeral pile"-"Duty is the
sublimest word in our language" Let us
as Democrats, let us as Americans, do our
duty. Our enemies declare that we are
only for the offices The charge is basey
false. No party of men can be held to-
gether for quarter of century OF disaster
and defeat, except by love, the deep un-
changing love, OF great principles. The "Re-
publicans" (how their miserable history has
dishonored that fine word , have debauchel
the civil service 1t is the grand opportu-
nifty of the Democrats TO cleanse it from i'm
purlties, and give to the country an efficient,
honest, decent force Of men who will do the
peoples work for the peoples money. Thus
shall We secure economy by administering
the government on business principles
Thus shall We best advance the interest of
our beloved party. Thus shall we fulfill
our duty 10 our country.