New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-11-30
sALARY oP THE pREsIpEnT.

| uSlcatcu party. 70
We shall not make our comments on this
topic with the President elect ostentatiously
paraded in the foreground, but with refer
ence to the office and position of President
abstractIy. This mode of viewing the sub
iect is the only honest and true way o
dealing with public matters; so that strong
friendship and respectfor an individual may
not act to the prejudice of whole commune
ties, or of the entire nation. We are de-
cidedly opposed to any enlargement Of this
salary. We think that the present amount
is sufficient to maintain, in simple, digni-
fed, republican manner, the first officer OF
the Government. We have no doubt of it,
and this is enough for us. We may add
that it is the duty of the country, however,
to see that the Executive Mansion, which
from all accounts, has become quite dilapi-
dated, is thoroughly repaired, and rem
dered finished residence tasteful and
handsome in appearance, and solidly COM
Portable, and constantly maintained SO.
Here we rest, and consider that the coun-
try does its full financial duty to its Chief
Magistrate. The duties of the Executive
head of this nation do not include fancy for
an unrivalled cuisine, "a matchless table and
fond ambition to be reputed for giving fire.
quent and fashionable entertainments, fol-
lowed by senseless post prandial joviality
nor even, necessarily, skill for diplomatic
repasts, at which the rightful and just
claims of a nation are to be attended to
with pate de fois gras and trufles, qualified
by sparkling adulterated liquors. This
latter is the style of the old world, for
courts and courtiers-so soon to be num-
bered with the things of the past-just as
with Tallyrand words, which abound at
good dinners, are only intended to con-
ceal thoughts.
The White House not only contains the
official rooms of the nation, but the
larger portion of it is for the citizen and
his family who occupy it, and hence is his
home, to be as sacred and secluded as that
of the humble, honest farmer.
There may be occasions, and these should
be rare, when, in the discretion of the
President the national hospitality should
be experienced by foreign representatives,
especially from people now hesitatingly
disposed to international intercourse, such
as China and Japan, when personal ameni-
ties are to be first established; but, as from
entangling alliances we are 10 refrain, so we
should dispense our household courtesies
rather infrequently to distinguished strang-
ers from abroad. Far better that our high
should, not only by native
parvenuism but by liveried foreign embas-
sizes and dandy attaches of legations, to-
gether with correspondents and penny-a-
liners of that ih, be called niggardly and
too economical, than that they should, with
palate-felt appreciation, be commended by
attendant Jenkinses as grand entertainers.
Let the President of this people, except in
regular office hours, feel that he is at home,
and in the honest, refreshing influences Of
daily domestic life strengthen himself for
his stern public duties. On the
question of salary We take our po-
siton without reference to the |
new President, but we can now consist
emily, as we do proudly, refer to the man
whom the people have recently chosen to
honor. Plain and unassuming-of parents
noted for simplicity and purity of character,
who, living to see their son in the highest |
office of his country, yet remember and
cherish the primitive Roman simplicity of
the earlier days of the country-we firmly |
believe that he will carry into his new
home the naturalness and plainness of his
more private life. We eagerly look for
ward to the speedy presence of President
who shall in honesty and temperance, in |
respect for public virtue and private moral
ity, be model head of Republican gov
eminent. In the pitby acceptance Of the
Presidential nomination by General
Grant, he mentions public econo-
my with evident and strong ap-
probation Of its virtue for us, in this
time of our critical financial situation. He
can readily prove his attachment to this old
fashioned sterling quality, by retrenching
the expenses CT the Govern
ment, and driving and crushing out by the
arm of indignant justice the guilty harpies
of the "whisky rings" the corrupt officials
of the Treasury and the cliques of other
who have fsttened on the
stolen or wasted means of a stricken people
under the administration of Andrew john
son. Economy is indeed and in truth our
great need. We are staggering under a
gigantic debt of more than two billions,
supplemented by pension list of twenty
five millions per annum, by bounties and
claims yet to be adjusted, by annuities
to Indians, and so on. The payment of
this immense amount involves stringent
taxation, but this burden the people will
cheerfuhy bear in order that their plghted
faith may be fully honored, if their public
servants will faithfully cooperate with all
their powers in the noble object. To such
man as we know is soon to be our ex-
ecutive, the gratitude and respect of the
people will be a Compensation mex
pressibly more dear than an increase Of
salary, advocated by tOadying demagogues
or sycophantic adulators.
The people of other nations have been
offan oarruntad nv tho disbnneatv ma -,