The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-05-08
Ex-CONFEDERATEs FOR OFFICE.

The appointment of so many ex-Con-
federates of the South to important off
ces by President Cleveland continues to
give much offeuse to the opposition or
gaDs Yet if the South is to De recog-
nized as entitled TO political equality in
the Union of States. the President could
do no less. The men of the South who
were not in some official capacity in the
late Codfederacy are extremely rare and
enjoy in a very small degree the respect
and confidence of the people. But in
waving the bloody shirt over these ap-
pointments the opposition organs afford
the Democrats the opportunity to review
the list of ex-Confederates VINO have
been elevated to offices and honors by
Republican Administrations, including
General James LOngstreet, Amos T.
AkermaD, David NJ. Key, John s. Mos.
by, Thomas Settle ard James s. Cbal-
mers, the "heTo of Fort Pillow" Eve
~ ex-Confederate of political influence
has been sure of recognition by Repub-
licaD Administrations since the close OF
the rebellion upon the condition that be
would abandon the Democrats and act
with the Republicans No other Test of
loyalty was imposed on him. Malone
and RiddlebeTger, x-COnfederates help
to make up the narrow Republican ma
jOrity in the United States Senate. In
view of these facts it is rather foolish in
Republican organs to lash their partisan
readers into a rage over the nomination
OF Southern Democrats to Office
This spectre of the restoration of the
ex-rebels to power was reproduced OF
the political stage during the last Presi
Dental contest, and it was banished,
never to return, in the election of Cleve.
land. If any blame attaches to the ap-
pointment of Southern Democrats to
important offices it is shared by the Re-
publican Senate. The Republican Sen
ate in every instance has promptly con
frmed these nominations except that OF
General LawtOn, of Georgia, for Min
lister to Russia. In this case the nomi-
nation was not confirmed Immediately,
on technical ground of objection. 1t
appears that the disabilities of General
Lawtou had not been removed, and his
nomination was reported to the Senate
by the Foreign Relations Committee in
order to afford a future opportunity for
overcoming this objection so that the
/ nomination might be confirmed in the
next session of Congress.
Bot denunciations and IepTOaches are
heaped on President Cleveland by the
( organs, which forget in the eageIness of
[ their partisan zeal that the Senate shares
[ with him the responsibility of these ap.
/ poiotments to Office. If the nominations
/ were Objectionable on personal or public
| consideration it was the duty of the Sea-
/ ate TO reject them. The President took
1 care that his selections of Southern men
/ for important places of honor and trust
I az home and abroad that no just com
/ plants could be raised concerning theiI
/ personal character and fitness. There
! remained, then, to the Senate no OtheI
/ reason for rejecting them than theiI
+ participation in :he rebellion. Tneir
/ rejection for such a cause after twenty
/ years Of peace and a restored Union
/ would have been an act of sectiOnalism
/ in the Republican Senate sure to do in.
/ hnltely more political harm to its au-
/ thors than its objects. In denouncing
/ the Presidents for nominating ex-Con-
/ federate generals and statesmen TO high
| office the organs OF sectiOnalism obliQue.
/ ly attack the Republican Senate for con.
hrming them. ct the organs must be
! Conscious their rejection wOnld have
been political bluuder of the FIRST mag
nltude ia betraying the implacable sec
tlonaI character Of the party committing
/ t.-PhilHdelphid Record.