The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-03-11
The First Year.

country anu tnc IeSlllCo, do oAhloioS's ~
the balance sheet, are creditable and
honorable to the actors in the drama
and grand to the country at large. The
4th of March 1885 witnessed the exit OF
a series of administration which had
been controlled by political organlza-
tion. scarcely entitled to the dignity OF
"a party" whose principles of action
were the outcome Of circumstances and
whose results were the possibilities
contingent upon certain crises. Every
Office, in the gift of the government,
was filled by a partisan, placed IN
position because of his availability
to accomplish certain purpose, and
his efforts were expected to be dl-
rected to that end. Honesty or dishon-
estv was not the standard by which he
was Judged. Measures were adopted
which promised more for the indlvidu-
al members of the organization, and
policies prosecuted which looked more
to the strengthening of the organlza-
tion itself than to the well-being of the
whole country. There was nothing
national in these administrations
but everything was made conducive
to the prosperity of the compact.
Under such a system, corruption was
inevitable and it finally became SO
blatant and shameless in its modes us
to be more defiance to honesty than
crime to be punished. The last days
of this political league, therefore, were
very similar to the struggles of the old
conspirators, who conscious of their
obliquity and knowing the results OF a
disclosure, dared honesty and put vlr-
tue to shame. Last March the scene
changed and the old actors stepped
from the stage not without stare and
a grimace, however, fixed upon their
features that promised annoyance and
future trouble, but the country breathed
more freely when Mr.. Cleveland ap-
peared upon the stage presenting the
record of wisdom and honesty and firm
ness that had given him the privilege
of standing where he then stood. One
year since then has just closed and the
4th of March 1886 places a period to
mark the the end of the first year OF
the new Democratic administrations
Let us see how it stands.
Weare in the midst of the throes OF a
political revolution with a political
party, unused to power but bravely led,
in control of the government. Opposed
to it is the old organization, chafed by
the memory of the past and made spite
full by the evident successes Of the pre-
sent, but using every means and max
ing every effort to thwart the good
purposes of the administration, to make
of no effect the labor of its officials and
to bring the party itself into disrepute
before the country. Mr.. Cleveland
stands firm upon the platform of his
party and upon his promises of reform
made to the people at his inauguration.
Every department of the government
is controlled, not by a partisan, but by
patriot, proved to be so by the stirring
events of the past year. Thousands of
positions are to-day filled by honest and
capable men that were filled last year
by partisans of very questionable char
acter. Other thousands, ut the rate of
nine per hour, are being vacated and
appointed to good and true Democrats
in every section of the country. The
value of property is steady or increas-
ing every where. The purchasing
power of money is greater than ever
before. Educational facilities were
never better and the moral tone of the
country is being raised to a plane in
finitely more creditable to the people
than at any period since the late war.
The social feature which was convulsed
1nu GOlll u ny VllS W uh ttAANa ANPo 1AA ~
state of constant unrest during the Re-
publican administrations, has been
quietly settling and will soon find its
natural level where it will give no more
trouble to our citizens. Indeed all the
circumstances of life have experienced
a gradual improvement by reason of
the increased confidence in the govern
ment and the purity of its officials.
This is a splendid exhibit for the first
year Of Democratic rule and promises
an increased ratio in the benefits to ac-
crue to our people from its faithful
continuance. The reasonable eXpecta-
tions of the citizen, if based upon the
platform of the party and the pledges
of the President, will not be disap-
pointed by Mr.. Cleveland and those CO.
operating with him. Let every Demo-
crat, therefore, consider himself in