The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-01
DEMOcRACY'S FEAR.
II Views Mr.. CleveIand's Protestations OF
4 Reform with Apprehension.

4 Reform with Apprehension.
One very prominent feature Of the
past few days has been the amiable
good nature with which the change of
Administration has been received. Re-
publicans Of the most uncompromising
faith have cheerfully assisted in giving
Mr.. Cleveland good send-off, and
manifested at all points hearty dis
position to look for good results from
him, and to withhold all adverse criti-
cism and prognosticat,on in advance Of
definite action that would be in opposi-
ton to their views. Democrats bayo
qnite paturilly been hilarious over such
an occurrence as the accession Of their
party to power, and have not been
sparing In their manifestations OF de-
light.
But there is radical difference in
the respective position Of the two par
ties The Republicans expect nothing
from the new order of things, and con.
sequently have no disappointments to
look forward TO. But Democrats find
their rejoicing already allayed by a
visible admiXture OF doubt and appre-
hension. 1t was quite noticeable that,
when the President Of their election de-
livered his inaugural in the presence Of
an audience beyond accurate computa-
ton, one portion thereof failed TO draw
forth the exultant cheers that greeted
its other periods. And that portion
touched unpleasantly upon the subject
that lies closest TO the Democratic heart
just now, the all-engrossing topic of
the offices.
ITO the victor belongs the spoils" is
a doctrine in which the rank and file of
Democracy, with very few exceptions,
has an abiding faith. Its steadfast
workers are here in force, and they are
here for the purpose of securing posses
sion of the offices that in their eyes con-
stitute their legitimate spoils. They
have fiddled and feasted and drank for
few days, and are now ready TO attend
to business. But already comes up the
disquieting ghost of the new-fangled
doctrine Of Civil-Service reform, and
the strong possibility that Mr.. Cleveland
Is really an honest believer in It's appli-
cation just now. No approving Demo-
cratic shout rent the air when the
Civil-Service section of the Presidents
inaugural was read. The painful silence
that prevailed at that moment has no,
been broken yet so far as any Democrat
is concerned. In their souls one and all
they are waiting in hushed expectancy
to see II he was really in earnest, and u
after all great army Of Republicans
are TO continue in their present positions
for no better reason than that they are
honest, diligent, capable and conscien-
tiously faithful In the discharge Of their
obligations TO the Government.
II Is plain enough that II Mr. Cleve-
land was In earnest several thousand
very comfortable salaries will continue
TO be drawn in tho departments by
Republicans, and per consequence a
great many thousand Democrats who
hunger and thirst for those salaries with !
a hunger and thirst beyond expression
will also be too mad for adequate ex-
preston. IL was because the shadow
Of such possibility lay over their en-
thusiasm that Democrats could not |
cheer Mr.. Cleveland's civil service dec
larations. and Il is for the same reason
that Democracy will for the present |
maintain d silence that may change |
shortly TO an angry roar Of protest and |
ienunciation. .-Adtional Repabiicdn. :