Knowden.] OOA [March 15, 



determined opposition from the representatives of all parties. 

 Every weapon that sarcasm, ridicule, and falsehood could 

 forge in the workshop of selfishness, has been hurled against 

 its advocates. And yet it must be confessed that the great- 

 est injury inflicted, has come from pretended friends, who, 

 under that garb, have attempted to accomplish selfish ends, 

 and thus have brought ridicule upon the cause. 



Nevertheless, steady advance has been had within the past 

 few years, and some lodgment made in the minds of the 

 people. 



That there is too much foolish, intemperate, and unjust 

 denunciation of our present service there can be no doubt. 

 If we were to believe one-half that is written and spoken 

 on this subject, we must conclude that but few, if any, 

 honest or honorable men are engaged in public affairs. 



This tendency to carp and cavil at,- and criticise all men 

 engaged in the public service, is said to be a natural out- 

 growth of our free institutions, which makes every citizen a 

 censor. But whether this be true or not, the fact is never- 

 theless patent, that from the very organization of our Gov- 

 ernment, there has been more or less of this sort of thing 

 prevalent. Even Washington, the most illustrious of all 

 our citizens, if not the most illustrious man of all the world, 

 was not exempt ; nay, on the contrary, in spite of his inval- 

 uable services to the country, his nobility of soul, and his 

 transcendent patriotism, he was subjected to the most vio- 

 lent, bitter, and unreasonable abuse, and under it retired 

 from public life. 



It was fashionable then, as it is now, among certain 

 grumblers and inconsiderate persons, to denounce our civil 

 service on all occasions. They do not take the trouble to 

 obtain reliable fails upon which an intelligent judgment 



