The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-28
THE QUESTION OF PARTIsANsH1P.


THE QUESTION OF PARTIsANSHIP.
The opinion of several senator's on the ques-
ton of offensive partisanship was expressed
in pretty plain terms in the eulogiums in
honor of the memory Of the late Vice
president Mr. Hendricks was typi-
cal Offensive partisan" and gloried
in it. Strong in the belief that his
party was right, he was a Democrat in all that
the term implies. In good report or in evil
report, the public always knew where to find
him; whatever he may have been personally,
he was always Democrat. It was this trait
Of his character as much as any other that
made men respect him living and lament his
sudden DEATH Men who did and do despise
the Democratic party as an organization
honor this partisan Democrats memory be-
cause he had the courage Of his convictions.
He did not blow hot and cold when it came
to drawing party lines. He never sulked
when the organization of which he was a
member was in the fight. He didn't pretend
to be liberal Democrat during the war of the
Rebellion, nor did he ever put on Republican
mask and claim to be better than his fellow
Democrats. When it came to partisanship he
was no Pharisee, nor did he give countenance
to the palpable Hypocrisy assumed by few
Democrats to capture Republican votes. He
had the confidence Of his party during the
campaign, and held it up to his death. He
was friend of those that helped him win the
victory, and it was his belief that they should
enjoy the fruits of it with him. If the farce
that has been made of civil-service reform,
since it's champions have had opportunity to
enforce it, has not made Mr.. Hendricks
memory tower of responsibility by compar-
ison, it is a vain thing to be man Of honest
convictions with the courage to stand by
them.
1t is foolish to talk of conducting popular
government without organized parties, so
completely knit together as to be sentient
organism, a multiplex personality, to formu-
late and put policies into practice, and to be
held to accountability for whatever may be
done amiss. A well-organized political party
gives hostages to the people for the faithful
performance of it's obligations It works un-
der charter, with proclaimed principles for
its constitution and bylaws; engaged in hon
orable business, it agrees to stand or fall by
its doctrines and practices. To be an active
enthusiastic member of such an organization
is as much superior to being freebooter in
politics as regular soldier is more honorable
than bushwhackeR The man who is too
good" to belong to any party is generally too
cowardly to assume the responsibility of his
acts. An illustration inproof of this has been
afforded by the recreant Republicans who
went to the aid of the enemy in the last ma
tional campaign. Processing to do so in the
interest of civilservice reform, and strenuous
ly maintaining that they were still Republic
ans better than their associates in years Of
peril, they have not the manhood to condemn
the palpable hypocrisy and sham that Democ-
racy has made Of reform. Scoundrels of high
and low degree have been honored by this adj
ministration; have been thrust into places
from which honest, patriotic, competent men
have been hustled to make room for them
Not week passes but some new scandal of
this kind is made public. But the men who,
with sanctimonious JUNCTION, have prayed to
be delivered from offensive partisans, have no
word to utter in disapproval Of the
appointment of confessed bribers, nor of
the infamous methods pursued to get rid of
good men protected by the spirit Of the civil
service rules. The gentlemen who choose to be
freehooters in American politics, flying no
flag and amenable to no constituency, seem to
have lost their conscience when they sur
rendered their self-respect. No outrage is
enough to arouse their indignation. But re-
Gently so conscientious that they could not
bear the idea of even associating with parti-
sans, they are become the champions of some
of the most infamous practices that ever dis
graced American politics. In contrast with
such hypocriticalinsincerity offensive partisan.
ship is virtue resplendent with honor and
responsibility.
DoRMAN B. EATON has once more resigned
as Civil-service Commissioner, and it is to be
hoped that in new appointment Mr.. Cleve
land will recognize the spirit and the letter Of