The Wilmingtonian., 1886-04-03


are Republicans not BY Inheritance, not by
tradition, not by accident, but from convic-
tion and they are as steadfast in defeat as
in victory They are partisans, intrepid,
uudaunted, uucompromising, amt they can
give reasons for the faith that is in them.
They believe and believe that for the
past quarter of a century upon every vital
issue before the American people, secession,
slavery, coercion, the public credit, honest
elections, universal freedom and the prUtec-
tion Of Amer ican labor, they have always
been right aud that their opponents have
always been wrong and, while they concede
unTeservedly patriotism aud sincerity to
their adyersaries, temporary repulse has not
convinced them that they were in error.
There is neither detection Lor dismay in
their columns. They are ready, they are i'm
patient to renew the battle. Animated by
such impulses, it is not singular that they
should feel that no Republican can hofl an
appointive Office uuder Democratic admin
istration without either sacrificing his con-
victiOni or lotfeiting his sei-respect.
Accordingly, sir when little more than
year ago Democratic administration was
inaugurated those who were in public sta
tion began with one consent to make excuse
to retire to private life They did not stand
upon the order of their s ling they trampied
upon each other in tumultuous and some
what indecent haste to get out of office. There
was no craven cry for mercy no mercenary
camp-fpllower fled for shelter to the bomb
proofs Of the tenure-or-oili3e act no sutler
ocawled behind the fragile breastworks of
civil-seryice reform for protection. They
lost their baggage, but they retained their
colors, their arms their ammunition, and
their camp equipage, aud marched off the
field with the honlrs of war. IC at the ex-
piratiol of one year Il few yet remain in
office, rarj mtGteS in gurgite Uasto, it is
because the victors have been unable to agree
among themselves or been unable to discov.
er among their own numbers competent and
qualified successors,
Mr.. President, candor compels me to say
that the Democracy of that State share the
same temper and spirit. From 1854, when
the Territory was organized, down to the
90 of January, 1861, when the State was
admitted ii there was Republican holding
any appointive Office it was an inadyertence
aud if from 1861 down to 1885 there was a
Democrat holding an official position requir-
ing confirmation by the Senate, it was an
oversight 1t escaped the somewhat vigilant
scrutiny of my colleague and myself anj
those VIII } preceded us here.
Therefore, Mr.. President ! am not of those
who believe in nom partisanship in politics
and should be recreaut to the high trust con
iidsd in me were to refrain from declaring
my conviction that political parties, emerge.
tic, vigorous and well-deliued, are indispen-
sable to the SUCCESS of free popular govern.
ments. Wherever the life of States is freest
and most irrepressible, there party spirit il
most active aud aggressive. 1t is by the con
lct and collision OF political parties that th,
latent and richest powers of the State ar,
made manifest and those whom ! represent
have no sympathy with the dogma that i
reflects glory upon a statesman to affect in
dependence of his party, Or that it is an indi
caJlOu Ol NlTGue III II citlHcu " oeAouS W h'
political organization.
Political parties are social groups in til,
nation, allied by common purposes and kin
dred aspirations for the accomplishment o
beneficial results. When part es perish th
Government will expire, for we all under
stand that in this country the only govern
meut is the /, arty in power. Here Is no dy
nasty, no ruling family, nothing correspond
ing to the functions of government unde
other systems exeep. the party that is 70
the time being intrusted by the votes OF
majority of the people with the execution q
their will. And, sir, when majority of th
people declare that there shall be chang
of administration, il is necessarily implie
that there shall be a change of those agence
through which alone political administratio
can be made effectual 1t is useless to jug
gle and palter about this matter, A chang
} tf Administl alton is a change of policies an
) methods, and the Chief Magistrate is ent
tied to the cooperation of agents aud mini
ters who are in sympathy with his opinion
and the doctrines which he is chosen to Ell
force and maintain.
Sir, unless the President of the Unite
States is to be mummy swathed in the Ger
ments of the grave, he must have power
commensurate with his duties. lie is cha
ged to 'tale care that the laws be faithful
= executed, " and unless he has the power
select the agencies through which the Law
are administered, through which the rev
: nues are collected and disbursed, the pos
: offices conducted, the Indians supported an
) controlled the glory and honor Of the matte
D maintained, that duty imposed upon him l
the Constitution is an idle phrase, it means II
u thing It is an empty formula. Charged vii
these great duties, liable to Impeachment
a tney are not properly performed, how can
u be claimed with justice that there shall be {
2 Interpolation of novel doctrines Of reIurr
II under which while the chief is still
be held responsible, he shall be deprived
u all the agencies and ministratlons under Il
= Constitution by which they eah alone be
:. administered, in sympathy With him al
Il tile policy that he represents?
u Therefore, sir, am coniideIt that wh,
&c it was a a.certained in November, 1884, til
e a change of the pjliticll majority in tn
country had been registered, there was
N general faith aud conviction that chau
y of official holdings wound follow. The D,l
i ocratic party desired it the Replblic.
lG Il a /, Ia