Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-04-08

And here ! again quote from the
greatest political leader the Republi-
can party ever followed in Indiana.
In March. 1869. Senator Morton held
the following language in this body ::
believe that il is proper that the Execu-
tive OF this nation should have his suborii-
nate officers in harmony with hiulselfiE po-
litical opinion. Not only his Cabinet, but
those below the Cabinet In responsible po-
sitiOns, other things being equal, should be
men who agree with him in his general line
Of policy.
Now, sir, whatever pretences we may
make here on this subject, practically they
will be hypocritical. Why: Because this
party, nor the Democratic party, nor any
other party that may come, can practice or
allow the administration ofthe Government
upon these principles. Those in authority
will place in power as their subOrdinaies
their friends and those who agree with them
In political principle and those who have
been instrumental in placing them in pow
er Whatever professions we may make
| here. that will be the result
Such were the utterances of a man
OF great ability, powerful common
sense, deep insight into human ma
ture, and a wide experience in public
affairs. They are as true now as they
were fifteen years ago, and they will
remain true as long as popular gov
eminent remain upon the earth; as
long "a the laboring masses are per.
mitted to aspire to honors as we'll "a
to bear burdens.
Sir, from the earliest dawn Of his
tory the main effort Of the great body
of the people of every race and coun-
try has been to overcome estate, class
superiority, exclusive privileges, and
to establish for themselves an equal
ity in all respects in the ventures, ad.
vancements and promotions of life.
This theory was at last established by
the founders of the American Repub.
lie. This Government, in the literal
sense, belongs to the people, and there
is no position of honor or profit from
which the humblest and least favored
by birth or fortune can be excluded.
The doors of caste, privilege or favor
itism can be closed against no one.
The mechanic goes from his work
bench to the Executive Mansion, and
he who in his youth held the plow
and turned the sod becomes a Senator
or takes the head of Department.
Every place is open to honorable am
bitlon and virtuous industry. 1t is
the right OF the citizen and creditable
to him to aspire to the confidence oil
his countryhen, whether as township
trustee, county commissioner, neigh
borhood postmaster, department clerk
consul abroad, or in anyother official
station, from the lowest TO the highest
Any movement in curtailment of thi:
popular right is, in my Judgment. a
violation OF the spirit of our institu.
lions and an offense against good gov
eminent.
The interest Of the people in the
affairs Of their Government is the only
remedy for corrupt practices and NAL.
administration, and this interest will
diminish and grow cold if they are
barred from all participation in it;
control: | am not speaking of the
spoils Of office now, but of the equality
and dignity Of American citizenship
The people also have the right t.
demand change in the administra
tion Of their Government, and sucf
change is not properly confined to 3
few of the chief officers. Each neigh
borhood, each township, each county
and each state has within it Fedora
officials who in the discharge of thei
duties may have given more cause c
otiense to the voter aud greater de
sire on his part for change than III,
President himself.
This is not government for lif
tenures in Cttice. Trained bands O
: otticc-holders' will not be tolerated
here as they are by the laws Of Eng
land and other monarchies. The so
called civil service reform enactmen
did not commend itself to my iudg
ment when it passed this body Iittl
! more than two years ago, and ver1
recently | voted in committee, anC
|, shall repeat the vote here, for its ab
solute repeal. After full and fai
trial It has proven a violent and obi
Gus obstruction to the will OF the PEG
| pie, source OF confusion and injur,
to the public service, and a constan
stumbling block in the way of "a
tlonal and successful administration
The experience of this Government
and indeed of all governments, ha
amply and overwhelmingly demon
strated that no political party ever
, did or ever will administer successful
ly, tremendously, and for the public
good the affairs Of a nation through
the fundamentally of its enemies
The laws OF human nature would seen
TO forbid the attempt OF such an absur.
dlty. What employer of labor, what
commander Of an army would willing.
! iy rely on subordinates flled with
hostility, wishing him defeat and
failure, censorious in mind, unfaithful
IN heart, and often only waiting an
opportunity to betray him 10 bis ruin
AT this very hour have reason tc
believe there is not a confidential com.
munIcatlon or transaction in any one
OF the Departments which has not been
betrayed to the leaders Of the Rerub.
hcan party. The very papers de.