The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-10-06
The AdminIstratIon and tho Repub.
1ican Party.

In indorslng unrcservedly the course Of
Gep0sl Grants administration, the SYRIA
cnse Convention has but followed the exam
yet been held. Not one has evaded the sub
iect or dealt with 1t ambiguously. They have,
without an exception, applauded Its fidelity
TO principle, Its efficiency In the performance
Of arduous duties and the rigorous economy
which distinguishes every department.
Their approval is valuable because Il Is dis
eliminating and manifestly Just. 1t IL en-
phatic because the Judgment pronounced by
| the various Conventions expresses the known
convictions Of the party everywhere.
The standard by which the acts Of the Ad-
| ministration have been tried Is high and un-
yielding. Under the rule Of General Grants
predecessor the country had been familiar.
lied with corruption and extravaganza.
Power was Interpreted to mean license to
misuse Its functions. The expenditures were
maintained at the war point. Tho depart
meuts were filled by men who employed their
opportunities to plumber the people. The
revenues were uncollected or squandered.
The Executive employed his influence to
thwart the operation Of important laws, and
to obstruct the restoration Of the Southern
States. Minor officers, encouraged by dis
plays Of this mischievous spirit In high places,
were VIGOROUSLY In league with knaves and
combinations Of knaves, by whom great In
terests were ruthlessly trampled under foot.
The spectacle was scandalous, and lts effects
were most disastrous.
The advent Of Grant TO power, and the for
| nation Of an Administration on the basil.
prescribed by the Republican party, va. fol-
lowed by immediate and large reforms. The
Congressional committees found ardent CO.
workers In the business of retrenchment.
The influences which under johnson had
been exerted to perpetuate extravaganza,
under Grant we're arrayed on the side OF
economy. The appropriations were cut down
at the instance and with the help of the dc.
partmental heads. And promise was given
that the change thus begun should be pushed
! forward faithfully and we'll.
The promise has been fulfilled. Economy
| 10 the order Of the day wherever the authorl-
| ty OF the Government prevails. The reduce
lions contemplated by Congress have In
many cases been exceeded. The departments
have been purged OF idlers; their duties have
been systematized, and the cost Of their per
Torrance diminished to an extent not
yet fully appreciated. The "Rings' which
were previously supreme In the Treasury,
have been broken; the devices which made
robbery safe and even respectable have been
destroyed. Honest men control the approach
es to the strong box. The revenues are zeal
ously collected; the disbursements are con.
law. As mere fduciary agent, the Admin
istration has discharged Its trust with an
energy and integrity that cannot be too
loudly applauded.
But there has been more than mere faith
full service. By Its financial policy the Ad-
ministration has brought the country nearer
the stage at which reduction Of the burden
OF the debt will be practicable. Howthls re-
duction may be best effected the Republican
party has again and again indicated. The
funding OF the debt at lower rate of interest
Is the only method compatible with honor,
and the process will be possible only when
the public credit shall have been greatly i'm
proved. Not the least meritorious OF the
results achieved by the Administration Is,
therefore, the higher standing which It has
Impaired to the national credit In the money
markets OF the world. Opinions differ In re-
gard to the excellence Of the precise means
employed to produce this result, but the
result Is gratifying and unquestionable. The
| public credit is higher, stronger, than when
| Mr.. Boutwell, began his task, and by so
much the country is nearer the rellefit greatly
needs. 1t remains for Congress, after calm
consideration, to revise the plans Of the Sec
rotary, and to provide means for profting by
the good he has accomplished. An improved
condition of the debt and a reduction Of tax
alton are the two objects which will test the
| financial capacity of the party. They are
| not irreconcilable.
The confidence expressed In the conduct of
the Administration has still further justia-
| cation. The better position of the South
generally, and Of the three excluded States
In particular, is largely due to the sound dis
erection and wise lberality which have dis
tinguished the action Of the President. He
has combined adherence to law with q gen.
erosity which has disarmed opposition.
Order peryails. The authority Of the Fede-
raj Government has been upheld. At the
same time, the exercise Of just and concil-
latory disposition has brought into play the
better instincts OF the Southern people. Co.
operation with the Government has taken
the place of resistance to Its authority.
Great strides have been taken toward the
completion OF reconstructlon. Virginia Is
virtually restored now, and there are good
| reasons for hoping that Congress, on reas.
| semblng, will ind Texas and MisslspIppl In
similar situation. The fact will be triumph
for the Administration, and a source of
reasonable pride to the party whose principles
sustains and whose policy 1t nobly ylndl-
cates.-N. Y Times.
THE DIsEsTABLIsHMEST the Irish Church
Is still heavy burden upon the souls of
many jealous Englishmen. With a sublime
faith they believe with the Pope that what
ever Is, Is right. Progress, but not destruc-
ton, was their motto. Mr.. Robinson, in his
lately published diary, tells an anecdote of
Lord Thurlow, that we'll hits of the attitude
Of the conservative churchman. When In
l7SS, Beoufoy made his famous attempt to
obtain the repeal Of the Corporation and Test
Act, deputatlon waited on the Lord Chan
Gellor Thurlow to obtain his support. His
Lordship heard them very civilly, and then
characteristically said; "Gentlemen, I'm
against you by G.. ! am for the Established
Church, d-n me! Not that have more regard
for the Established Church than any other